Logging adds information to the log file, e.g., “Database connection to xy database established successfully”.
However, the UserMessageCollector (UMC) can do more than that. The UMC logs all messages, and outputs information to the user in the form of a message window. This allows the user to react to messages. As well, the UMC can query errors that occurred (hasErrors).
When to use the UMC?
- When the user is supposed to receive a response.
- When it is to be checked whether errors have occurred in the working steps thus far, and whether it is useful to continue the work.
When not to use the UMC?
- For the purpose of collecting debug information.
- When information is output that the user cannot understand or that the user does not have to know.