Syntax errors are flagged in the Map Designer on the Source Connection tab when a script is connected with a source file or when a previously connected script is refreshed. To correct syntax errors, follow these steps:

CXL has built-in trace functionality that allows a script to log Debug Messages into a log file while the script is executing. Error Logging must be turned on in the Map Designer with Debug Message types selected for the trace messages to be logged.

To turn logging on in the Map Designer, choose Preferences from the View Menu and select Error and Event Logging ON/OFF in the Logging Defaults tab. This will turn error logging on for all conversions. To turn it on for an individual conversion, use Conversion Properties. In these two Error Logging windows, the log file may be set along with the message types to be logged either for all conversions, or for that particular conversion. Since a CXL trace logs debug messages, this message type should be selected under Error Types to Log.

The information logged to the log file during a trace is:

The trace on statement should be used to turn tracing on. The trace off statement should be used to turn tracing off. If tracing the entire document is desired, put the trace on statement in the BEGIN statement. For additional information on trace functionality, see the sections trace on and trace off in Language Syntax and Examples.

A useful debugging technique to use when having difficulty locating an error is to comment out successively smaller blocks of code until the statement with the error is identified.

Try to find a logic error by examining the script closely to identify statements that should always execute. If the error isn't obvious, place logmessage statements at these locations so that a message will print to verify execution does occur. Place logmessage calls between other appropriate lines in the script to verify they execute under the correct conditions. The idea is to "home in" on the non-executing statements by moving a logmessage to different locations in the script. You may want to simplify your data file when performing these tests. For detailed information on how to use the logmessage built-in function, see Language Syntax and Examples.

When there is output, the Source Data Browser in the Map Designer can be used to visually verify the output data from the accept statements in the script.