Foxhound Shock! (Server Messages)

There's a new feature in Foxhound 5 that may come as a shock:

SQL Anywhere server messages are stored and displayed on the Monitor and History pages.

First, some background: Server messages appear in the SQL Anywhere console log, and in the dbsrv17.exe -o text file if you specify that option (you should).

Server messages are mostly boring "Information" messages

I. Database "ddd16" (ddd16.db) started at Wed Dec 02 2020 07:48
I. Finished checkpoint of "ddd16" (ddd16.db) at Wed Dec 02 2020 07:48

Some server messages are interesting

I. Database "ddd" mirroring:  becoming primary server

and some are very interesting

W. Database "ddd" mirroring:  Warning: Mirror is running behind the primary server by more than 60 seconds.
E. Database "ddd" mirroring:  mirror connection to server "partner2_server" failed

Foxhound 5 displays server messages as a convenience:

If you're going to the trouble of running Foxhound, why should you have to look somewhere else to see server messages?

But . . . server messages can be a bit of a surprise

. . . when you suddenly start seeing server messages in the Monitor page after upgrading Foxhound 5:

They can also be a SHOCK

If your application code or stored procedures contain MESSAGE TO CONSOLE statements,

• and you are not in the habit of looking at the SQL Anywhere console log,

• or you don't know where (or what) the SQL Anywhere console log is,

suddenly seeing a storm of MESSAGE TO CONSOLE output in the Foxhound Monitor page can be a shock.

Relax, you can turn off the storm

Just click on the little black gear (*) icon on one of the messages, and it'll take you directly to the Monitor Options page

In section 18. Server Messages, make sure you've selected the right target database,

• then uncheck Display server messages on the Foxhound Monitor and Sample History pages

• and click on Save.

But, maybe you don't want to

Server messages might be your friend :)

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