Log Files

Macros : LogTxt, LogName

Macros can be used to create customized reports or data logs. These are ordinary text files, where the contents are determined by a macro script.

The LogTxt macro is used to append text to the end of the current log file, which by default is DqaLog.TXT.

The text to be written can be a simple string, as in LogTxt="Test PASSED", or it can be a multiple-item string that includes variables and formatting.

The first LogTxt command of a Daqarta session always starts a new line in the log file. After that, each command starts from the current position. You can thus build up a line from multiple commands, if desired. You can use the p (position) or P (padding) multi-item string options to start at specified columns, to control formatting.

At typical use of the log file is to maintain an ongoing record of what tests were run from day to day, possibly including details of test parameters, device or subject name or number, and date and time of test.

The default DqaLog.TXT file is a good choice to keep everything in one place. But if you want to use different files for different purposes, you can set the current file name using the LogName command. Like all macros that set file names, this accepts multi-item strings and variables. So, for example, if you want a log dedicated to each test, and the test number is in (say) VarA, you could use LogName="Test"+VarA to set the name to "Test000.TXT", then increment VarA before the next test. (Note that these macro variables are retained across Daqarta sessions until specifically set or cleared.)

Macro variables are typically integers, but also allow simple text strings of up to 4 characters. You can use these to hold test type, or pass/fail results. For example, a prior IF statement can set Var0 to "PASS" or "FAIL", perhaps based upon the results of a Spectrum Limits test. Then you can use LogName=Var0(A)+"_Log" to direct the subsequent LogTxt to either PASS_Log.TXT or FAIL_Log.TXT. The Var0(A) tells the string handler to use the ASCII (or Alpha-numeric) interpretation for Var0 instead of treating it as an integer.

You can change log files as often as desired in a single session. The specified file will be created, if it doesn't already exist, and subsequent LogTxt entries will be appended to that file. That name will be used until the end of the Daqarta session unless a new LogName is given. When the next Daqarta session begins, it again starts with the DqaLog.TXT default.

Remote Control Tips:

Each LogTxt command opens the log file, appends the given text, and closes the file again. This allows a custom remote control program to read the contents of the file immediately after it receives notification that the command was successful. (Since Windows file sharing is enabled for reading, in principle the remote program can read at any time. But waiting for the notification assures that the data reflects the command just given.)

Please see Remote Control Tips under Data Logging for other notification ideas.

See also Macro Overview