Patrol Debugging and Logging in Patrol Estimated reading: 3 minutes 151 views When working with Patrol for mobile app testing, it’s essential to have a robust logging mechanism to track what’s happening during test execution. Logs provide critical insights into the test flow, errors, and overall app behavior during testing. One of the most useful tools Patrol offers for debugging is the --verbose flag, which prints detailed logs directly to the console.In this guide, we will explore how to use the --verbose flag to enable logging, helping you better understand the test execution process and troubleshoot issues efficiently. Patrol Enable Verbose ModeWhat is the --verbose flag?The --verbose flag in Patrol enables a more detailed logging mode during test execution. It prints logs about each step that Patrol takes while running the test, including information about the app’s state, actions performed, and internal operations. This feature is crucial for debugging when you want to see exactly what happens at every stage of the test and track down issues like element not found errors or unexpected behavior.Bash patrol test -t integration_test/e2e/sign_in --verbose To enable verbose logging in Patrol, add the --verbose flag to the command when you run your test. This can be done either in the terminal or through your Continuous Integration (CI) setup.When you run the test with this flag, Patrol provides detailed logs for each step, such as: 1 App Launch 2 UI Interactions 3 Waiting and Timing 4 Assertions Patrol will log when the app starts and settles, allowing you to confirm that the app is initializing correctly.Logs will display every UI interaction, such as tapping buttons or entering text into fields. This helps ensure that Patrol is interacting with the correct elements in your app.The --verbose flag will show you when Patrol waits for certain conditions to settle, such as waiting for the screen to load or waiting for animations to finish. This helps troubleshoot delays in app navigation or unresponsive elements.Logs will indicate whether assertions (like checking for the presence of text or UI components) pass or fail, giving you a clear understanding of where tests succeed or break. Patrol Verbose Building AppPatrol Verbose Test DetailsPatrol Verbose Test Steps DetailsPatrol Verbose Passed Results Importance of Debugging and Logging in Patrol Enhanced Error Tracking: Logging provides insights into your application's state at various points, allowing you to track down issues more effectively. Improved Test Reliability: By debugging your tests, you ensure they are reliable and consistently produce accurate results. Faster Issue Resolution: A well-structured logging system helps in identifying the root causes of failures, facilitating quicker resolutions.ConclusionDebugging and logging in Patrol Testing are crucial components of a successful QA strategy. The --verbose flag is a powerful tool for debugging Patrol tests, providing you with detailed logs to track every interaction and action your test performs. Whether you’re diagnosing test failures, monitoring UI elements, or optimizing test run times, verbose logging ensures you have complete visibility into the test execution process. In the next guide we’ll be take a look at Reviewing Test Results in Patrol Tagged:Patrol Patrol - Previous Advanced and Native Interactions in Patrol Next - Patrol Reviewing Test Results in Patrol
