Trace Files (logging)

Trace files log the interaction between Gravity and the news server in hex codes and plain text. Trace files have a *.trc extension and can be viewed with any text editor.
There are two ways of initiating a trace; with the menu command, and with a command line option. Files are written to the following user folder (in Windows XP):
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\Gravity
File(s):              GRAV000.TRC  (if you have multiple files, the count increases)                         GRAV001.TRC ...
If you can not find the files, search the hard drive for *.trc files.
Ø    The user name and password are shown in plain text. Keep this in mind if sharing/posting files on public media. You should also edit passwords in the hex codes.
In versions before 2.9, Trace Files from the menu command are usually found in C:\Documents and Settings\USER, but are sometimes written in some strange places and not in <Program Dir>. If you can not find them, search C:\ for *.trc files (include system files and hidden folders).
Menu: File -Trace File The Trace File command also has a Log Group option (see the end of this page). You must be disconnected from the server prior to starting a trace.
1.   Disconnect from the news server 2.   Start tracing (File - Trace Files - START) 3.   Connect to the server 4.   Perform the command(s) of interest 5.   Stop tracing with the menu option (remember to stop because trace files can grow large)

/SOCKET  Command Line Option If you start Gravity with the /Socket command line option , Gravity will create trace files of the interaction with the news server.  To use this method, create a shortcut with the following Target string. This command does the same thing as the TRACE command (File > Trace File). However, tracing will continue until you exit the program.
  "C:\Program Files\Microplanet\Gravity 2.9\gravity.exe" /SOCKET
The quotes are required, if spaces are in the path name (e.g. Program Files).

In versions before 2.9, the .trc files created with the /SOCKET option were written to the Gravity <Program Dir>\newsdb\<server> folder.

"Log Groups" command

The File - Trace command has a "log group" option, which logs the response of the Group Command.

Menu:      File - Trace File - Checkbox "Log Output of ...."

Function: Logs the GRP Command output when updating server counts

Log File:  CMDGRP.TRC
You set this option by checking the appropriate box. The Log Group Command is sticky, it stays set, until you reset it (clear the check box). The Log file is placed in the server folder (each server will have one). For example :
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\Gravity\newsdb2.9\<SERVERNAME>
In old versions before 2.9, the CMDGRP.TRC file is placed in <Program Dir>\newsdb\<server>
The group log is of limited use to the average user. It was created years ago to help troubleshoot server article renumbering problems. For the technical minded, it can show the total (estimated) articles and high and low articles numbers for the newsgroup(s).