6
$\begingroup$

I would like to write some code in my init.m to save all inputs {In[1],In[2],...In[lastone]} right before I close the kernel (or exit Mathematica). Such a script probably should be kernel-specific but I can settle with one log file.

In this way I will be able to review each day's work and assess my productivity. Also I can trace some tweaks I am implementing without the need to remember in which file I did this and that ...

I hope others in SE also would like such an option.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Can you not do something along the lines of ?? In and then Export["this_session.log",%]? You'd have to not have your $HistoryLength changed. $\endgroup$
    – gpap
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 9:59
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ If you write the file when you've finished you run the risk of not having anything if there is a kernel crash, power loss etc. $\endgroup$
    – Ymareth
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 10:38
  • $\begingroup$ @Ymareth , you are right. So a periodical save would be more suitable right? Using a Dynamic module... $\endgroup$
    – tchronis
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 11:10
  • $\begingroup$ Crude answer below and I seem to have misread the question and included Out[n] as well. If not required ignore the setting for $Post. $\endgroup$
    – Ymareth
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 13:44

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
10
$\begingroup$ 
$Epilog := PutAppend[DateList[], DownValues[In], "log.log"]

will do what you want. It assumes the log file exists and will append to it.

You could also place the PutAppend in the file end.m, where $Epilog reads from upon exit.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ SCdV thank you. With DownValues[In] i get a list {HoldPattern[In[1]] :>Input1,HoldPattern[In[3]] :>Input3,....} That is a set of rules and this is nice. How can i obtain instead a list : {Hold[Input1],Hold[Input2],....} ? $\endgroup$
    – tchronis
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 11:14
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @tchronis DownValues[In] /. RuleDelayed[_, b_] :> Hold[b], or, if you just want to see the text of your input without Hold interfering: DownValues[In] /. RuleDelayed[_, b_] :> HoldForm[b] $\endgroup$
    – Sjoerd C. de Vries
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 11:44
  • $\begingroup$ SCdV thank you. Unfortunately the $Epilog value is not working. I have to manually run the command. I inserted it in my init.m file and asking ??$Epilog it outputs correctly Epilog:=({DateList[],DownValues[In]/. (_:>b_):>HoldForm[b]}>>>$UserDocumentsDirectory<>/mathematica.log) but when exiting Mathematica (through the frontend) it is not logging... $\endgroup$
    – tchronis
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 14:40
  • $\begingroup$ @tchronis I have tested it using Exit[] to kill the kernel, the log file was indeed created. Did you create the logfile manually first (as mentioned in the answer)? $\endgroup$
    – Sjoerd C. de Vries
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 15:40
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @tchronis If you don't mind that the log will be written whenever a window gets closed (including when quiting Mathematica, what we want) then SetOptions[$FrontEnd, FrontEndEventActions -> {"WindowClose" :> (EXITCODE)}] could work for you. $\endgroup$
    – Sjoerd C. de Vries
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 21:25
1
$\begingroup$

This is a little raw but something along the lines of this should work...

stream = OpenWrite["C:\\Temp\\KitchenSink.math"];    
$Pre = (Write[stream, #]; #) &;  $Post = (Write[stream, #]; #) &;

When finished...

Clear[$Pre, $Post]
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.