Ethereum: Where is the debug.log file in Bitcoin source code?

Ethereum: Where is the debug.log file in Bitcoin source code?

As an aspiring Ethereum developer on a 64bit Ubuntu 17.04 system, you may be following a tutorial to create your own altcoin. However, after compiling the Bitcoin source code (daemon or Qt), you may have noticed that it displays an error message indicating that a debug.log file exists.

In this article, we will explore the location of the debug.log file in the Bitcoin source code, provide insight into its importance, and how to access it.

Problem: Where is debug.log?

When you compile the Bitcoin source code on your 64bit Ubuntu system, a new executable file (usually named bitcoin-qt or bitcoin-daemon) is created. At first glance, this may seem like an unusual filename for a Bitcoin-related program. However, it is essential to understand that these executables contain debugging information.

Solution: Accessing the Debug Log

To access the debug.log file, you need to find the corresponding executable in your system’s /usr/local/bin directory (or similar path on your system). Once found, open one of these executables and look for a line that starts with --debug-log or --debug=-log. This indicates that this executable is logging debugging information.

For example:

• Open the bitcoin-daemon executable: sudo ./bitcoin-daemon

• Look for a line that starts with - debug -log: ...- debug -log

Alternatively, you can use your system’s file explorer to navigate to /usr/local/bin/bitcoin-qt and look for the debug.log file. If it exists, you should be able to find it by searching for similar filenames.

Debug Tips

To improve your debugging experience when working with Bitcoin-related programs:

• Check compiler flags

  : Look at the command line used to compile the Bitcoin source code and make sure the -debug -log flag is included.

• Use the --verbose flag

  

  : Try using the --verbose flag instead of -debug -log to see more detailed output from the executable.

• Check for similar files: If you can’t find the debug.log file, try looking for other debug-related files in your system’s directories.

Conclusion

By understanding where the debug.log file is located in Bitcoin’s source code and accessing it using the appropriate command line flags or file explorer, you should be able to troubleshoot issues related to this essential component of the Bitcoin ecosystem.