Logging with XSLT

Question

How and where could I output log messages for debug and performance purposes during an XSLT transformation?

I guess the simplest method is using express

Answer 1

This is exactly what is designed for. However, the output location is entirely dependent on the processor. I only have a Mac handy but, sadly, both Firefox and Safari suppress the output. I expect MSIE will do the same.

Given that, I think your best bet is to use to generate your logs. Something like the below should do the trick:

   Entering my-element template
   

   Leaving my-element template

That would give you something like this in the output:

...

Clearly, you can put whatever logging you want into that that output. I would consider creating something like the following and using it to run your logging. This references a global param called 'enable-logging' to determine if logging should occur or not.

Use this in your stylesheet as:

   
     Entering my-element template
   
   

   
     Leaving my-element template
   

One benefit of doing it this way is you can change that to when in a more complete environment. It is more verbose but more general.