Version: 20

Description of log files

4D applications can generate several log files that are useful for debugging or optimizing their execution. Logs are usually started or stopped using selectors of the SET DATABASE PARAMETER, WEB SET OPTION, or HTTP SET OPTION commands and are stored in the Logs folder of the project.

Information logged needs to be analyzed to detect and fix issues. This section provides a comprehensive description of the following log files:

4DRequestsLog.txt
4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt
HTTPDebugLog.txt
4DHTTPClientLog.txt
4DDebugLog.txt (standard & tabular)
4DDiagnosticLog.txt
4DIMAPLog.txt
4DPOP3Log.txt
4DSMTPLog.txt
ORDA requests log file

When a log file can be generated either on 4D Server or on the remote client, the word "Server" is added to the server-side log file name, for example "4DRequestsLogServer.txt"

Log files share some fields so that you can establish a chronology and make connections between entries while debugging:

sequence_number: this number is unique over all debug logs and is incremented for each new entry whatever the log file, so that you can know the exact sequence of the operations.
connection_uuid: for any 4D process created on a 4D client that connects to a server, this connection UUID is logged on both server and client side. It allows you to easily identify the remote client that launched each process.

4DRequestsLog.txt

This log file records standard requests carried out by the 4D Server machine or the 4D remote machine that executed the command (excluding Web requests).

How to start this log:

on the server:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(4D Server log recording;1)
//server side

on a client:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Client Log Recording;1)
//remote side

This statement also starts the 4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt log file.

Headers

This file starts with the following headers:

Log Session Identifier
Hostname of the server that hosts the application
User Login Name: login on the OS of the user that ran the 4D application on the server.

For each request, the following fields are logged:

Field name	Description
sequence_number	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
time	Date and time using ISO 8601 format: 'YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.mmm'
systemid	System ID
component	Component signature (e.g., '4SQLS' or 'dbmg')
process_info_index	Corresponds to the "index" field in 4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt log, and permits linking a request to a process.
request	C/S or ORDA request ID or message string for SQL requests or `LOG EVENT` messages
bytes_in	Number of bytes received
bytes_out	Number of bytes sent
server_duration \| exec_duration	Depends on where the log is generated: server_duration when generated on the client --Time taken in microseconds for the server to process the request and return a response. B to F in image below, OR exec_duration when generated on the server --Time taken in microseconds for the server to process the request. B to E in image below.
write_duration	Time taken in microseconds for sending the: Request (when run on the client). A to B in image below. Response (when run on the server). E to F in image below.
task_kind	Preemptive or cooperative (respectively 'p' or 'c')
rtt	Time estimate in microseconds for the client to send the request and the server to acknowledge it. A to D and E to H in image below. Only measured when using the ServerNet network layer, returns 0 when used with the legacy network layer. For Windows versions prior to Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016, the call will return 0.
extra	Additional information related to the context, for example dataclass name and/or attribute name in case of ORDA request

Request flow:

4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt

This log file records information on each process created on the 4D Server machine or the 4D remote machine that executed the command (excluding Web requests).

How to start this log:

on the server:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(4D Server log recording;1) //server side

on a client:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Client Log Recording;1) //remote side

This statement also starts the 4DRequestsLog.txt log file.

Headers

This file starts with the following headers:

Log Session Identifier
Hostname of the server that hosts the application
User Login Name: login on the OS of the user that ran the 4D application on the server.

For each process, the following fields are logged:

Field name	Description
sequence_number	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
time	Date and time using ISO 8601 format: "YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.mmm"
process_info_index	Unique and sequential process number
CDB4DBaseContext	DB4D component database context UUID
systemid	System ID
server_process_id	Process ID on Server
remote_process_id	Process ID on Client
process_name	Process name
cID	Identifier of 4D Connection
uID	Identifier of 4D Client
IP Client	IPv4/IPv6 address
host_name	Client hostname
user_name	User Login Name on client
connection_uuid	UUID identifier of process connection
server_process_unique_id	Unique process ID on Server

HTTPDebugLog.txt

This log file records each HTTP request and each response in raw mode. Whole requests, including headers, are logged; optionally, body parts can be logged as well.

How to start this log:

WEB SET OPTION(Web debug log;wdl enable without body)  
//other values are available

The following fields are logged for both Request and Response:

Field name	Description
SocketID	ID of socket used for communication
PeerIP	IPv4 address of host (client)
PeerPort	Port used by host (client)
TimeStamp	Timestamp in milliseconds (since system startup)
ConnectionID	Connection UUID (UUID of VTCPSocket used for communication)
SequenceNumber	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session

4DHTTPClientLog.txt

This log file records the HTTP traffic that goes through the 4D HTTP client. Whole requests and responses, including headers, are logged; optionally, body parts can be logged as well.

How to start this log:

HTTP SET OPTION(HTTP client log; HTTP enable log with all body parts)  
//other values are available

The following fields are logged for both Request and Response:

Field name	Description
SequenceID	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
ConnectionID	UUID identifier of process connection
LocalIP	Client IP address
PeerIP	Server IP address
TimeStamp	Timestamp (ms) at the time the request is sent or the response is fully received
ElapsedTimeInMs	(response only) Difference with the request timestamp

Depending on log options, various other fields can also be logged.

For request: request line, headers, request body
For response: status line, headers, response body (uncompressed), if any

4DDebugLog.txt (standard)

This log file records each event occurring at the 4D programming level. Standard mode provides a basic view of events.

How to start this log:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Debug Log Recording;2)  
//standard, all processes

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Current process debug log recording;2)  
//standard, current process only

The following fields are logged for each event:

Column #	Description
1	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
2	Date and time in ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.mmm)
3	Process ID (p=xx) and unique process ID (puid=xx)
4	Stack level
5	Can be Command Name/ Method Name/Message/ Task Start Stop info/Plugin Name, event or Callback/Connection UUID
6	Time taken for logging operation in milliseconds

4DDebugLog.txt (tabular)

This log file records each event occurring at the 4D programming level in a tabbed, compact format that includes additional information (compared to the standard format).

How to start this log:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Debug Log Recording;2+4)  
//extended tabbed format, all processes

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Current process debug log recording;2+4)  
//extended, current process only

The following fields are logged for each event:

Column #	Field name	Description
1	sequence_number	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
2	time	Date and time in ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.mmm)
3	ProcessID	Process ID
4	unique_processID	Unique process ID
5	stack_level	Stack level
6	operation_type	Log operation type. This value may be an absolute value: Command Method (project method, database method, etc.) Message (sent by LOG EVENT command only) PluginMessage PluginEvent PluginCommand PluginCallback Task Member method (method attached to a collection or an object) When closing a stack level, the `operation_type`, `operation` and `operation_parameters` columns have the same value as the opening stack level logged in the `stack_opening_sequence_number` column. For example: 121 15:16:50:777 5 8 1 2 CallMethod Parameters 0 122 15:16:50:777 5 8 2 1 283 0 123 15:16:50:777 5 8 2 1 283 0 122 3 124 15:16:50:777 5 8 1 2 CallMethod Parameters 0 121 61 The 1st and 2nd lines open a stack level, the 3rd and 4th lines close a stack level. Values in the columns 6, 7 and 8 are repeated in the closing stack level line. The column 10 contains the stack level opening sequence numbers, i.e. 122 for the 3rd line and 121 for the 4th.
7	operation	May represent (depending on operation type): a Language Command ID (when type=1) a Method Name (when type=2) a combination of pluginIndex;pluginCommand (when type=4, 5, 6 or 7). May contain something like '3;2' a Task Connection UUID (when type=8)
8	operation_parameters	Parameters passed to commands, methods, or plugins
9	form_event	Form event if any; empty in other cases (suppose that column is used when code is executed in a form method or object method)
10	stack_opening_sequence_number	Only for the closing stack levels: Sequence number of the corresponding opening stack level
11	stack_level_execution_time	Only for the closing stack levels: Elapsed time in micro seconds of the current logged action; only for the closing stack levels (see 10th columns in lines 123 and 124 in the log above)

4DDiagnosticLog.txt

This log file records many events related to the internal application operation and is human-readable. You can include custom information in this file using the LOG EVENT command.

How to start this log:

 SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Diagnostic log recording;1) //start recording

The following fields are logged for each event:

Field Name	Description
sequenceNumber	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
timestamp	Date and time in ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.mmm)
loggerID	Optional
componentSignature	Optional - internal component signature
messageLevel	Trace, Debug, Info, Warning, Error
message	Description of the log entry

Depending on the event, various other fields can also be logged, such as task, socket, etc.

Diagnostic log levels

The 4DDiagnosticLog.txt file can log different levels of messages, from ERROR (most important) to TRACE (less important). By default, the INFO level is set, which means that the file will log only important events, including errors and unexpected results (see below).

You can select the level of messages using the Diagnostic log level selector of the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command, depending on your needs. When you select a level, levels above (which are more important) are implicitely selected also. The following levels are available:

Constant	Description	When selected, includes
`Log error`	A part of the application does not work	`Log error`
`Log warn`	Potential error, use of a deprecated function, poor uses, undesirable or unexpected situation	`Log error`, `Log warn`
`Log info`	Default level - Important application event	`Log error`, `Log warn`, `Log info`
`Log debug`	Detail of application flow (for 4D technical services)	`Log error`, `Log warn`, `Log info`, `Log debug`
`Log trace`	Other internal information (for 4D technical services)	`Log error`, `Log warn`, `Log info`, `Log debug`, `Log trace`

Example:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER (Diagnostic log recording; 1)
SET DATABASE PARAMETER (Diagnostic log level; Log trace)

4DSMTPLog.txt, 4DPOP3Log.txt, and 4DIMAPLog.txt

These log files record each exchange between the 4D application and the mail server (SMTP, POP3, IMAP) that has been initiated by the following commands:

The log files can be produced in two versions:

a regular version:
- named 4DSMTPLog.txt, 4DPOP3Log.txt, or 4DIMAPLog.txt
- no attachments
- uses an automatic circular file recycling each 10 MB
- intended for usual debugging

To start this log:

SET DATABASE PARAMETER(SMTP Log;1) //start SMTP log
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(POP3 Log;1) //start POP3 log
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(IMAP Log;1) //start IMAP log

4D Server: Click on the Start Request and Debug Logs button in the Maintenance Page of the 4D Server administration window.

This log path is returned by the Get 4D file command.

an extended version:
- attachment(s) included no automatic recycling
- custom name
- reserved for specific purposes

To start this log:

$server:=New object
...
//SMTP
$server.logFile:="MySMTPAuthLog.txt"
$transporter:=SMTP New transporter($server)

// POP3
$server.logFile:="MyPOP3AuthLog.txt"
$transporter:=POP3 New transporter($server)

//IMAP
$server.logFile:="MyIMAPAuthLog.txt"
$transporter:=IMAP New transporter($server)

For each request, the following fields are logged:

Column #	Description
1	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session
2	Date and time in RFC3339 format (yyyy-mm-ddThh:mm:ss.ms)
3	4D Process ID
4	Unique process ID
5	SMTP,POP3, or IMAP session startup information, including server host name, TCP port number used to connect to SMTP,POP3, or IMAP server and TLS status,or data exchanged between server and client, starting with "S <" (data received from the SMTP,POP3, or IMAP server) or "C >" (data sent by the SMTP,POP3, or IMAP client): authentication mode list sent by the server and selected authentication mode, any error reported by the SMTP,POP3, or IMAP Server, header information of sent mail (standard version only) and if the mail is saved on the server,or SMTP,POP3, or IMAP session closing information.

ORDA requests

ORDA requests logs can record each ORDA request and server response. Two ORDA requests logs are available:

a client-side ORDA request log, in .txt format
a server-side ORDA request log, in .jsonl format

Client-side

The client-side ORDA log records each ORDA request sent from a remote machine. You can direct log information to memory or to a .txt file on disk of the remote machine. The name and location of this log file are your choice.

How to start this log:

	//on a remote machine
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Client Log Recording;1)  
ds.startRequestLog(File("/PACKAGE/Logs/ordaLog.txt"))
	//can be also sent to memory
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(Client Log Recording;0)  

note

Triggering the client-side 4DRequestsLog.txt using SET DATABASE PARAMETER is not mandatory. However, it is required if you want to log the unique sequenceNumber field.

The following fields are logged for each request:

Field name	Description	Example
sequenceNumber	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session	104
url	Request URL	"rest/Persons(30001)"
startTime	Starting date and time using ISO 8601 format	"2019-05-28T08:25:12.346Z"
endTime	Ending date and time using ISO 8601 format	"2019-05-28T08:25:12.371Z"
duration	Client processing duration in milliseconds (ms)	25
response	Server response object	{"status":200,"body":{"__entityModel":"Persons",[...]}}

Example

Here is an example of a client-side ORDA log file record:

	{
		"sequenceNumber": 7880,
		"url": "rest/Employees/$entityset/F910C2E4A2EE6B43BBEE74A0A4F68E5A/Salary?$compute='sum'&$progress4Dinfo='D0706F1E77D4F24985BE4DDE9FFA1739'",
		"startTime": "2023-05-15T10:43:39.400Z",
		"endTime": "2023-05-15T10:43:39.419Z",
		"duration": 19,
		"response": {
			"status": 200,
			"body": 75651
		}
	}

Server-side

The server-side ORDA log records each ORDA request processed by the server, as well as the server response (optional). Log information is saved in a .jsonl file on the server machine disk (by default, ordaRequests.jsonl).

How to start this log:

	//on the server
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(4D Server log recording;1)
ds.startRequestLog(File("/PACKAGE/Logs/ordaRequests.jsonl");srl log response without body)
	//srl... parameter is optional
SET DATABASE PARAMETER(4D Server log recording;0)

note

Triggering the server-side 4DRequestsLog.txt using SET DATABASE PARAMETER is not mandatory. However, it is required if you want to log the unique sequenceNumber and the duration fields.

The following fields are logged for each request:

Field name	Description	Example
sequenceNumber	Unique and sequential operation number in the logging session	104
url	Request URL	"rest/Persons(30001)"
startTime	Starting date and time using ISO 8601 format	"2019-05-28T08:25:12.346Z"
duration	Server processing duration in microseconds (µ)	2500
response	Server response object, can be configured in `.startRequestLog()`	{"status":200,"body":{"__entityModel":"Persons",[...]}}
ipAddress	User IP address	"192.168.1.5"
userName	Name of the 4D user	"henry"
systemUserName	Login name of the user on the machine	"hsmith"
machineName	Name of the user machine	"PC of Henry Smith"

Example

Here is an example of a server-side ORDA log record:

   {
		"url": "rest/Employees/$entityset/F910C2E4A2EE6B43BBEE74A0A4F68E5A/Salary?$compute='sum'&$progress4Dinfo='D0706F1E77D4F24985BE4DDE9FFA1739'",
		"systemUserName": "Admin",
		"userName": "Designer",
		"machineName": "DESKTOP-QSK9738",
		"taskID": 5,
		"taskName": "P_1",
		"startTime": "2023-05-15T11:43:39.401",
		"response": {
			"status": 200,
			"body": 75651
		},
		"sequenceNumber": 7008,
		"duration": 240
	}

Using a log configuration file

You can use a log configuration file to easily manage log recording in a production environment. This file is preconfigured by the developer. Typically, it can be sent to customers so that they just need to select it or copy it in a local folder. Once enabled, the log configuration file triggers the recording of specific logs.

How to enable the file

There are several ways to enable the log configuration file, depending on your configuration:

4D Server with interface: you can open the Maintenance page and click on the Load logs configuration file button, then select the file. In this case, you can use any name for the configuration file. It is immediately enabled on the server.
an interpreted or compiled project: the file must be named logConfig.json and copied in the Settings folder of the project (located at the same level as the Project folder). It is enabled at project startup (only on the server in client/server).
a built application: the file must be named logConfig.json and copied in the following folder:
- Windows: Users\[userName]\AppData\Roaming\[application]
- macOS: /Users/[userName]/Library/ApplicationSupport/[application]
all projects with a stand-alone or remote 4D: the file must be named logConfig.json and copied in the following folder:
- Windows: Users\[userName]\AppData\Roaming\4D
- macOS: /Users/[userName]/Library/ApplicationSupport/4D
all projects with 4D Server: the file must be named logConfig.json and copied in the following folder:
- Windows: Users\[userName]\AppData\Roaming\4D Server
- macOS: /Users/[userName]/Library/ApplicationSupport/4D Server

note

If a logConfig.json file is installed in both Settings and AppData/Library folders, the Settings folder file will have priority.

JSON file description

The log configuration file is a .json file that must comply with the following json schema:

{
    "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema",
    "title": "Logs Configuration File",
    "description": "A file that controls the state of different types of logs in 4D clients and servers",
    "type": "object",
    "properties": {
        "forceConfiguration": {
            "description": "Forcing the logs configuration described in the file ingoring changes coming from code or user interface",
            "type": "boolean",
            "default": true
        },
        "requestLogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for request logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "clientState": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable client request logs (from 0 to N)",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0
                },
                "serverState": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable server request logs (from 0 to N)",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0
                }
            }
        },
        "debugLogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for debug logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "commandList": {
                    "description": "Commands to log or not log",
                    "type": "array",
                    "items": {
                        "type": "string"
                    },
                    "minItems": 1,
                    "uniqueItems": true
                },
                "state": {
                    "description": "integer to specify type of debuglog and options",

                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0
                }
            }
        },
        "diagnosticLogs":{
            "description": "Configuration for debug logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "state":{
                    "description": "Enable/Disable diagnostic logs 0 or 1 (0 = do not record, 1 = record)",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0    
                },
                "level": {
              "description": "Configure diagnostic logs",
              "type": "integer",
              "minimum": 2,
              "maximum": 6
          }
            }
          },
        "httpDebugLogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for http debug logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "level": {
                    "description": "Configure http request logs",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0,
                    "maximum": 7
                },
                "state": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable recording of web requests",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0,
                    "maximum": 4
                }
            }
        },
        "POP3Logs": {
            "description": "Configuration for POP3 logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "state": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable POP3 logs (from 0 to N)",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0
                }
            }
        },
        "SMTPLogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for SMTP logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "state": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable SMTP log recording (form 0 to N)",
                    "type": "integer",
                    "minimum": 0
                }
            }
        },
        "IMAPLogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for IMAP logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "state": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable IMAP log recording (form 0 to N)",
                    "type": "integer"
                }
            }
        },
        "ORDALogs": {
            "description": "Configuration for ORDA logs",
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
                "state": {
                    "description": "Enable/Disable ORDA logs (0 or 1)",
                    "type": "integer"
                },
                "filename": {
                    "type": "string"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Example

Here is an example of log configuration file:

{
 "forceLoggingConfiguration": false,
 "requestLogs": {
  "clientState": 1,
  "serverState": 1
 },
 "debugLogs": {
  "commandList":["322","311","112"],
        "state": 4
 },
 "diagnosticLogs":{
        "state" : 1
 },
 "httpDebugLogs": {
  "level": 5,
        "state" : 1
 },
 "POP3Logs": {
        "state" : 1
 },
 "SMTPLogs": {
        "state" : 1
 },
 "IMAPLogs": {
        "state" : 1
 },
 "ORDALogs": {
        "state" : 1,
  "filename": "ORDALog.txt"
 }
}

Description of log files

4DRequestsLog.txt

Headers

Contents

4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt

Headers

Contents

HTTPDebugLog.txt

4DHTTPClientLog.txt

4DDebugLog.txt (standard)

4DDebugLog.txt (tabular)

4DDiagnosticLog.txt

Diagnostic log levels

4DSMTPLog.txt, 4DPOP3Log.txt, and 4DIMAPLog.txt

Contents

ORDA requests

Client-side

Example

Server-side

Example

Using a log configuration file

How to enable the file

JSON file description

Example

4DRequestsLog.txt​

Headers​

Contents​

4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt​

Headers​

Contents​

HTTPDebugLog.txt​

4DHTTPClientLog.txt​

4DDebugLog.txt (standard)​

4DDebugLog.txt (tabular)​

4DDiagnosticLog.txt​

Diagnostic log levels​

4DSMTPLog.txt, 4DPOP3Log.txt, and 4DIMAPLog.txt​

Contents​

ORDA requests​

Client-side​

Example​

Server-side​

Example​

Using a log configuration file​

How to enable the file​

JSON file description​

Example​

4DRequestsLog.txt

Headers

Contents

4DRequestsLog_ProcessInfo.txt

Headers

Contents

HTTPDebugLog.txt

4DHTTPClientLog.txt

4DDebugLog.txt (standard)

4DDebugLog.txt (tabular)

4DDiagnosticLog.txt

Diagnostic log levels

4DSMTPLog.txt, 4DPOP3Log.txt, and 4DIMAPLog.txt

Contents

ORDA requests

Client-side

Example

Server-side

Example

Using a log configuration file

How to enable the file

JSON file description

Example