Using the web browser developer tools to investigate issues in SAS® Web Applications


Overview

All web browsers have built-in developer tools that can assist you with troubleshooting issues with SAS web applications. The tools can be helpful if you encounter errors in the web browser or if you have possible network communication problems. This SAS knowledge base article explains how to use the developer tools to get more information about a problem that you are encountering, with a focus on network communication and JavaScript console logging. The article is divided into the following sections, which are based on the browser that you use:

Screenshots that are included here might vary depending on the browser versions.

Note: While web browser developer tools are enabled, they capture all interactions with a website. SAS does not control the inclusion of information written to a HAR file or console log. Please be aware that HAR files and console logs might contain sensitive data and personal details. For example, be sure to remove any passwords or other confidential information. HAR files should be uploaded to the corresponding SASTSDrive location for your Technical Support Case. For information about uploading HAR files to SASTSDrive, see SAS KB0036136, "How to upload and download files using the SASTSDrive file sharing server."

Google Chrome

Refer to the following link for more information about using developer tools in Google Chrome: Chrome DevTools

  1. Launch Google Chrome.
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+I on your keyboard to launch the developer tools.
  3. Click the Network tab.
  4. Network activity should be recorded automatically. If it is not, then press Ctrl+E to begin recording.
  5. Ensure that the Preserve log check box is selected.
  6. Replicate the issue in the web application.
  7. Click the Download button on the toolbar to save the HAR file.  

           Download button
     
  8. Click the Console tab.
  9. In the Developer Tools window, right-click in the console output, and select Save as to save the file.  

           Save as
     
  10. Send the saved HAR file and the saved console file to SAS Technical Support.

Microsoft Edge

Refer to the following link for more information about using developer tools in Microsoft Edge: Microsoft Edge DevTools documentation

  1. Launch Microsoft Edge.
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+I on your keyboard to launch the developer tools.
  3. Click the Network tab.
  4. Network activity should be recorded automatically. If it is not, then press Ctrl+E to begin recording.
  5. Ensure that the Preserve log check box is selected.
  6. Replicate the issue in the web application.
  7. Click the down arrow button to download the HAR file.

           Down arrow button (Download)
     
  8. Click the Console tab.
  9. In the Developer Tools window, right-click in the console output and select Save as to save the file.  

           Save as
     
  10. Send the saved HAR file and the saved console file to SAS Technical Support.

Safari

Refer to the following link for more information about using developer tools in Safari: Safari Web development tools

  1. Launch the Safari web browser.
  2. Press Option+Command+i on your keyboard to launch the developer tools.
  3. Click the Network tab.
  4. Ensure that the Preserve Log check box is selected.
  5. Replicate the issue in the web application.
  6. Click the Export button to save the output as a HAR file.

           Save all as har
  7. Click the Console tab.
  8. Select all the content on this tab, right-click, and select Save Selected, which saves the output to a text file.

           Save as
  9. Send the saved HAR file and the saved console file to SAS Technical Support.

Mozilla Firefox

Refer to the following link for more information about using developer tools in Mozilla Firefox: Firefox Developer Tools

  1. Launch Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+I on your keyboard to launch the developer tools.
  3. Click the Network tab.
  4. Network activity should be recorded automatically. If it is not, then reload the page to begin recording.
  5. Replicate the issue in the web application.
  6. Place your mouse in the recorded output, right-click, and select Save All As HAR.

           Save all as har
  7. Click the Console tab.
  8. In the Developer Tools window, right-click in the console output, and select Export Visible Messages To ► File.

           Save as
  9. Send the saved HAR file and console log file to SAS Technical Support.