[x3d-public] Data logging support in X3Dv4

[Michalis Kamburelis]

Hi,

Instant Reality and Castle Game Engine implement a "Logger" node, that
seems in line with your thinking :) It was indeed quite useful in some
cases when I wasn't sure what/when events are generated by something.

See:
- https://doc.instantreality.org/documentation/nodetype/Logger/ ( note
that the CSS of Instant Reality docs seems broken for me now, but the
content is readable anyway)
- https://castle-engine.io/x3d_extensions.php#section_ext_logger (
it's a long page, look at section about "Logger" )

The principle is simple: route *anything* to Logger's "write" field to
output it to browser-specific log mechanism. A special type is
invented here to allow an input event to receive any X3D field type:
XFAny .

I would say that adding it to X3D spec may be reasonable (but without
the "logFile" field), in the "Event Utilities" component --
implementing this node is rather easy, and the usefulness is real.

Example in classic encoding:

```
DEF MyLogger Logger {
  level 3
}
DEF MyKeySensor KeySensor { }
ROUTE MyKeySensor.keyPress TO MyLogger.write
```

Complete example that works in view3dscene:
https://github.com/castle-engine/demo-models/blob/master/x3d/castle_extensions/logger.x3dv

Regards,
Michalis

pon., 14 paź 2019 o 19:24 Brutzman, Donald (Don) (CIV)
<brutzman at nps.edu> napisał(a):
>
> [We explored several points such as this during today's Web3DUX User Experience teleconference.]
>
> Data logging is a common prerequisite for many types of measurement and assessment.
>
> Conventions for logging via HTML and also directly via X3D need to be considered. For example, numerous X3D sensor nodes include the ability to generate output events triggered by user navigation and interaction.  Common data formatting that identifies system parameters, event source, timestamp and data streams for a given scene can facilitate analysis.  Defining and adding a logging function to the X3D Browser object specification can enable secure recording of information.
>
> Question: do others think that logging is important also?  Am thinking that having such a capability is important for measurable improvements in X3Dv4.
>
> all the best, Don
> --
> Don Brutzman  Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br       brutzman at nps.edu
> Watkins 270,  MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA   +1.831.656.2149
> X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman
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