Activity Log
Every web app needs an activity log.
I was recently attempting to assist a RemindMe member in resetting their password. I kept wishing I had some kind of log instead of having to email him and ask, "Did you try this? How far did you get?" and wait for a response.
This could be a readily accessible function or object that simply appends to a log file or inserts into a database. Something that simply listed attempts and results would be great, like...
Member is logging in with email fred@something Running Query ... Member log in failed Member is resetting password with email fred@something etc...
In the end I was able to debug RemindMe the old fashioned way, by echoing on screen and exiting, and discovered the password reset function has been broken for God knows how long. Whoops! It's fixed now.
The very next upgrade RemindMe gets is an activity log. And a good regression test!
Trackback: http://philsown.org/2007/09/activity-log/trackback
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