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Logging the results to a file
An expression evaluated by UltimaCalc, and its result (or an error message if the expression could not be calculated) can be written automatically to a log file which you can look at later. This file is written as plain text which any word processor or text editor, including Notepad, can read.
Before you can log calculations to a file, you need to specify the file’s name. Select the menu item Options / Other. This will open the Options window. Click on the 'Paths' tab to select the Paths Options Window. A box labelled 'Path to Log File' shows the full path to the log file. To specify the desired path, click on the 'Browse' button to the right of this box.
When a file name is specified or changed, the 'Enable logging' check box will be ticked. You can clear or set the tick to turn logging off and on. Doing so will not affect the log file’s name. When logging is enabled, this is indicated in UltimaCalc’s title bar. You can also turn logging on and off more conveniently from the menu item Options / Logging.
When
logging is turned on, all calculations made in the main calculator window will be recorded. However, in some of
the special tool windows, a lot of data may be entered, and calculations are performed automatically as this is
done. In these windows, the data and results will only be logged on request. This saves the log file from becoming
too cluttered with intermediate calculations.
These windows include a small icon representing a log book. Initially the book is blue, but when enough data has been entered to allow a calculation to be performed, the book will change its colour. (If you leave the mouse cursor on the log book, the text "Log data when active" is shown when it is blue and inactive. This text changes to "Save data to log file" when logging is activated.)
Clicking on the log book when highlighted
will record the current data and calculations. The icon then reverts to blue. It
will be highlighted again if the data is changed and a further calculation is
possible. If, when you click on the icon, no log file has been specified, a
message box will pop up to tell you this and offer to open the Options window
so you can choose a file.
The use of this log file button has no effect on whether or not other calculations will be automatically logged.
