LMD LogTools tutorial

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LogTools package

Introduction

Any programmer who is capable of writing complex applications is aware of the fact that some parts of code cannot be debugged with an interactive debugger (e.g. system service, threaded code, painting routines etc) or that situations exist, where an interactive debugger is unavailable. Common solution for for such cases is information logging. There many ways of logging - to files, to terminal, to system dialog boxes etc. To make life more simple we implemented a powerful logging system, that allows a developer to concentrate on main application logic instead of writing and debugging his own routines.

Class Structure

AnyLogger offer a flexible and extensible set of classes to log useful information. There are four main items: Message, Session, Transport and Manager. Message is container for information that should be logged. Session is class that wrap different information into Message and send it over Transport layer. Transport layer is responsible for physical delivery of Message. And at last but not least - the Manager allows user to create root (default) and user sessions, load/save user sessions and transport parameters. Secondary points are Router and Server (message Collector).
See also the following class diagram:
LogTools.png

First Example

In this section we will write traditional in programmer's community example - 'Hello, World!' sample program. Firstly, we create new Delphi Console Application (File->New->Other...->Delphi Projects->Console Application). Then replace content of new project by below code: 

program HelloAnyLoggerWorld;

{$APPTYPE CONSOLE}
 
uses
  SysUtils,
  LMDLogMessage;
 
begin
  try
    LMDLog.SendString(‘First message’, ‘Hello, World!’); 
  except
    on E:Exception do
      LMDLog.SendException(E);
  end;
end.

Second, we need to run AnyLogger console.After that compile and run HelloAnyLoggerWorld project. If everything is installed correctly you should see in AnyLogger console 'First message'='Hello, World!' line.

Now, let's take a closer look at what we did. First of all - we added LMDLogMessage unit in uses list. This unit contains declaration of all base needed types, classes and global variable LMDLog that contains object reference for root session (see. Sessions chapter). Secondly, we uses LMDLog global variable to call method of session - SendString which sends string using session transport (by default transport is WM_COPYDATA message which handled by AnyLogger console)

Basic Usage

Main purpose of this tool package is logging and monitoring actions of application. It should be used when you can't run regular debugger or when it useless - multi-thread application, system services, applications on client site etc.

To start use LogTools in your application you should add LMDLogMessage.pas unit to uses section of your unit, then you'll be able to use LMDLog instance of TLMDLogSession class. 

uses
  ..., LMDLogMessage, ...;

...
  LMDLog.SendString('Test', 'Hello, World!');
...


TLMDLogSession class has methods to send some info into main log - TLMDLogSession.Send*, to watch data in Watch area - TLMDLogSession.Watch* (main different with Send* function that Watch* has just changed value of watched variables, but not add new record) 

uses
  ..., LMDLogMessage, ...;

...
  while i < 200 do
    LMDLog.WatchInteger('i', i);
...

To logging flow of application, below methods available: TLMDLogSession.Enter*, TLMDLogSession.Leave*. Sample: 

uses
  ..., LMDLogMessage, ...;

...
function TestFunction: HResult;
begin
  LMDLog.EnterMethod('TestFunction');
  try
    ...
  finally
    LMDLog.SendHResult('Result', Result);
    LMDLog.LeaveMethod('TestFunction');
  end;
end;
...

and methods that help to trace of application 

uses
  ..., LMDLogMessage, ...;

...
  for i := 0 to Count - 1 do
  begin
    LMDLog.SendInteger('Iteration', i);
    b := 20 + i;
    LMDLog.TouchCounter('Checkpoint');
    a := CalcA(b);
    LMDLog.TouchCounter('Checkpoint');
    c := a div 34;
    LMDLog.ReleaseCounter('Checkpoint');
  end;
...


To control log storage TLMDLogSession has next methods - TLMDLogSession.ClearLog, TLMDLogSession.ClearWatch and TLMDLogSession.ClearCallStack


TLMDLogSession allow you to control level of you logging messages. It has two properties for it - TLMDLogSession.AllowLogLevel - set minimum log level for messages, TLMDLogSession.DefaultLogLevel - set default log level for messages where level is not set as parameter. 

uses
  ..., LMDLogMessage, ...;

...
  {$ifdef DEBUG}
  LMDLog.AllowLogLevel := LogAll;
  LMDLog.DefaultLogLevel := LogAll;
  {$ELSE}
  LMDLog.AllowLogLevel := LogFatal; 
  LMDLog.DefaultLogLevel := LogOff;
  {$ENDIF}
  
  for i := 0 to 4 do
  begin
    try 
      LMDLog.SendInteger('i', i);
      a := 5 / i;
      LMDLog.SendReal('a', a);
    except
      on E: EDivideByZero do
        LMDLog.SendString(LogFatal, 'Error', 'Divide by zero');
    end;
  end;
...
Logging for 'a' and 'i' will be turned off when DEBUG undefined, but 'Error' will be sent to log in any case.

Creating custom sessions

Custom sessions can be creating by using LMDLogManager.AddSession() method. Via it custom transport, name etc. can be specified. example: 

MyLog := LMDLogManage.AddSession('SessionName|lmd_db_session|lmd_wmcopydata_log|WindowClass=TLMDLogHelperWindow;WindowName=LMDLogHelper');

Then you can use it: 

  MyLog.SendString('name', 'value');

or 

  LMDLogManager.Sessions['SessionName'].SendString('name', 'value');

Aboyut this string - 'SessionName|lmd_db_session|lmd_wmcopydata_log|WindowClass=TLMDLogHelperWindow;WindowName=LMDLogHelper'

  • SessionName - it's exactly what is it - session name. You can name it as you wish. Except "Root" - this name is reserved for session which stored in LMDLog
  • lmd_db_session - type of session that you want to create. Currently library contains two session classes - TLMDLogSession (lmd_db_session) and TLMDLogDBSession (lmd_db_session). 'lmd_db_session' and 'lmd_db_session' are specified in GetName method of session. If you will extend TLMDLogCustomSession to logging you custom data then you have to override this method and specify you own unique name
  • lmd_wmcopydata_log - type of transport that you want to create. each new transport have to override GetName method of TLMDLogCustomTransport and return it's own unique name.
  • WindowClass=TLMDLogHelperWindow and WindowName=LMDLogHelper - are transport parameters - can be different for different transports.

AnyLogger console application

This logging and monitoring console for LMD Log package. All data that you send from your application are collected and displayed here.

Image:LMD_Logger_Console.png

Creating Viewer plugin for AnyLogger console

NB. This API information can be changed before AnyLogger release

AnyLogger console can be extended  by pluggable modules (plugins). Plugins based on new package LMD Plugins. Currently you can create plugin to view custom data, that you sent to console, in more obvious form.

To create such plugin you will need LMD Plugins package and uCreatePlugin.pas unit.

unit uCreatePlugin;

interface

uses
  SysUtils, Forms, LMDPluginManager, LMDPluginImpl;

type
  TLMDActionExecutor = class(TObject)
  public
    procedure GetCount(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); virtual; stdcall; abstract;
    procedure GetType(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); virtual; stdcall; abstract;
    procedure GetIcon(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); virtual; stdcall; abstract;
    procedure GetName(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); virtual; stdcall; abstract;
  end;

function CreatePlugin(AExecuter: TLMDActionExecutor; AFormClass: TFormClass): ILMDPlugin;

implementation

function CreatePlugin(AExecuter: TLMDActionExecutor; AFormClass: TFormClass): ILMDPlugin;
var
  Plugin: TLMDPlugin;
begin
  try
    // Create the plugin
    Plugin := TLMDPlugin.Create('Author', 'AnyLogger plugin', 0, 1);

    // add GetSupportedSubTypesCount action
    Plugin.AddAction('GetSubTypesCount').OnPerformAction := AExecuter.GetCount;
    with Plugin.AddAction('GetSubTypeName') do
    begin
      with AddParameter('SubType') do
        ParameterType := ptGUID;
      OnPerformAction := AExecuter.GetName;
    end;

    with Plugin.AddAction('GetSubType') do
    begin
      with AddParameter('Index') do
        ParameterType := ptInteger;
      OnPerformAction := AExecuter.GetType;
    end;

    with Plugin.AddAction('GetSubTypeIconIndex') do
    begin
      with AddParameter('SubType') do
        ParameterType := ptGUID;
      OnPerformAction := AExecuter.GetIcon;
    end;

    // add form into plugin
    Plugin.AddForm(TLMDDelphiPluginForm.Create('Viewer', AFormClass));

    // return the plugin
    Result := Plugin;
  except
    Result := nil;
    exit;
  end;
end;

end.

uCreatePlugin.pas create TLMDPlugin instance and init with three plugin method "GetSubTypesCount" - returns count of lmdlog message subtypes that will showed by this plugins. Next method is "GetSubTypeName" - returns name of subtype by it's index (0..GetSubTypesCount - 1). "GetSubType" method returns GUID that identificate subtype. And the last method is "GetSubTypeIconIndex" - it returns iconindex to show icon in AnyLogger console by subtype GUID.

So, uCreatePlugin.pas do above basic steps for you. Next, you need to create form with interface ILMDFormWithData, which described in LMDPluginManager unit from LMD Plugins package. 

{ **************************** ILMDFormWithData **************************** }
  ILMDFormWithData = interface(IInterface)
    ['{8999ED41-2791-4471-BFEB-994923CE1CD4}']
    procedure SetFormData(AData: Pointer);
  end;

This interface is needed to fill form with you custom data. AnyLogger Console call SetFormData method with TLMDLogMessage instance as parameter. Here is example of such form: 

...
type
  TTextForm = class(TForm, ILMDFormWithData)
    edtText: TElMemo;
  private
    { Private declarations }
  public
    procedure SetFormData(AData: Pointer);
  end;

var
  TextForm: TTextForm;

implementation

{$R *.dfm}

{ TTextForm }

procedure TTextForm.SetFormData(AData: Pointer);
begin
  edtText.Text := TLMDLogMessage(AData).MessageValue;
end;
...

Next step is creating child class for TLMDActionExecutor from uCreatePlugin.pas and override handlers of plugin methods. Example:

unit intfTextView;

interface

uses
  Classes, SysUtils, uCreatePlugin, LMDLogMessage, LMDPluginImpl, LMDPluginManager;

type
  TLMDTextActionExecutor = class(TLMDActionExecutor)
  public
    procedure GetCount(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); override; stdcall;
    procedure GetType(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); override; stdcall;
    procedure GetIcon(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); override; stdcall;
    procedure GetName(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter); override; stdcall;
  end;

implementation

{ TLMDTextActionExecutor }

procedure TLMDTextActionExecutor.GetCount(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter);
begin
  AResult.AsInteger := 1;
end;

procedure TLMDTextActionExecutor.GetIcon(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter);
begin
  AResult.AsInteger := -1;
  if IsEqualGUID(AnAction[0].AsGUID, mstString) then
    AResult.AsInteger := 5;
end;

procedure TLMDTextActionExecutor.GetName(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter);
begin
  if IsEqualGUID(AnAction[0].AsGUID, mstString) then
    AResult.AsString := 'String';
end;

procedure TLMDTextActionExecutor.GetType(const AnAction: ILMDAction; var AResult: ILMDParameter);
begin
  case AnAction[0].AsInteger of
  0: AResult.AsGUID := mstString;
  else
    AResult.AsGUID := mstNone;
  end;
end;

end.

And final step is create Dll project with export function GetLMDPlugin (see LMD Plguins for details). 

library TextView;

uses
  SysUtils,
  Classes,
  Windows,
  Forms,
  uCreatePlugin,
  LMDLogMessage,
  LMDPluginImpl,
  LMDPluginManager,
  frmTextView in 'frmTextView.pas' {TableForm},
  intfTextView in 'intfTextView.pas';

{$R *.res}

var
  LOldApplication: TApplication;

function GetLMDPlugin(const AHostApplication: TApplication; var APlugin: ILMDPlugin): HRESULT; stdcall;
begin
  try
    LOldApplication := Application;
    Application := AHostApplication;

    APlugin := CreatePlugin(TLMDTextActionExecutor.Create, TTextForm);
  except
    Result := E_UNEXPECTED;
    exit;
  end;
  Result := S_OK;
end;

procedure DllMain(AReason: integer) ;
begin
  case AReason of
   DLL_PROCESS_DETACH:
     if Assigned(LOldApplication) then
       Application := LOldApplication;
  end;
end;

exports
  GetLMDPlugin name 'GetLMDPlugin';

begin
  LOldApplication := nil;
  DllProc := @DllMain;
end.


Compile it and copy result dll file to Viewers folder in AnyLogger console installation path.

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