Outputting Trace and Debug Information

One useful way to gather debugging information when a template is not behaving as you expect is to use the methods of the .NET Trace and Debug objects. These objects let your code interact with the Debug pane of the CodeSmith Studio [Output window|http://docs.codesmithtools.com/display/Generator/The+Output+Window]. The two objects have exactly the same members; the only difference between the two is that the Trace object is active at all times, while the Debug object is only active when you compile your code in [debug mode|http://docs.codesmithtools.com/display/Generator/Compiling+in+Debug+Mode].

This table summarizes some of the useful members of the Trace and Debug objects:

Member	Type	Description
Assert	Method	Checks for a condition, and displays a message if the condition is false.
Fail	Method	Displays an error message
Indent	Method	Increases the current IndentLevel by one.
IndentLevel	Property	Specifies the indent level.
IndentSize	Property	Specifies the number of spaces in an indent.
Unindent	Method	Decreases the current IndentLevel by one.
Write	Method	Writes the given information
WriteIf	Method	Writes the given information only if a condition is true
WriteLine	Method	Same as Write but appends a new line character after the information.
WriteLineIf	Method	Same as WriteIf but appends a new line character after the information.