Console² replaces the JavaScript Console with what could be the next generation Error Console.

As of Firefox 1.5, the JavaScript Console is used not only for JavaScript errors, but for CSS errors as well. This extension takes this into account by providing a simple possibility to display errors by type. In case you find Console Filter too confusing, this might be what you've been looking for.

Console² let's you display errors filtered by type (Errors, Warnings, Messages), language (JavaScript, CSS, XML) and context (Chrome, Content). Furthermore it provides a simple search box (as seen in the History and Bookmarks sidebars) and some accessibility improvements.

On the way, this extension proposes fixes to the following bugs: 67603, 68025, 80704, 81209, 83019, 86093, 88057, 106696, 136672, 147015, 156396, 179268, 233146, 238898, 265871, 266539 (also 291002, 345477), 267866, 272420, 275265, 276904, 288544, 289927, 298371, 298993, 301039, 302211, 305206, 306223, 307354, 307447, 309289, 312247, 322169, 325235, 332191, 334997, 335383, 342662, 348627, 366901, 369077, 376815, 379439, 380422, 385092, 386968, 387109, and 391740.

Finally, web developers can add the following function to their code and call it for sending messages to the console:

function debug(aMsg) {
	setTimeout(function() { throw new Error("[debug] " + aMsg); }, 0);
}

Compatibility

Console² can also be installed in Flock, Sunbird, Netscape Navigator 9 and the eMusic Download Manager, however this is for the convenience of the users of minority applications and no support will be provided if Console² does not work in these applications.

Installation

Latest release: Console² 0.3.9
This release version works with Firefox 1.5 to 3.0b3, Thunderbird 1.5 to 2.0, SeaMonkey 1.0 to 2.0a, and most probably the current trunk/branch nightlies.

• [fix] bug 335383 menu and toolbar accesskeys clash in suiterunner JS console.
• [fix] bug 312247 content is rendered outside the window if width is reduced.
• [fix] Console² bug 17996 badly namespaced spacer causes loop now that mozilla bug 321402 has landed.
• [fix] Console² bug 18025 Secure updates for Firefox 3 (SHA1 Update hashes and public key signatures using McCoy).
• Richlistbox fixes:
  • [fix] bug 369077 richlistbox is corrupted if "selected" is inside richlistitem.
  • [fix] bug 376815 Allow using a listheader in <richlistbox>.
  • [fix] bug 387109 context menu regressions WRT richlistbox.
  • [fix] bug 391740 listheader in richlistbox appears to right/at bottom of richlistitems.
  • [fix] bug 396545 listheader in richlistbox should not scroll
• [new] http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=3020003#3020003 Allow themes to theme the Console2 richlistbox.
• [new] Allow themes to theme the Console2 console binding.
• [new] Sign install.rdf and update manifests with McCoy.

Testing Version: Console² 0.3.9+
This test version works with Firefox 1.5 to 3.0pre, Thunderbird 1.5 to 3.0a1, SeaMonkey 1.0 to 2.0a1, and most probably the current trunk/branch nightlies.

• [fix] bug 415901 Error console should respect line breaks in error messages.
• [new] Traditional Chinese locale (thanks to Alan CHENG)
• [new] Allow easier richlistbox themability by theme authors (Part 2). Patch contributed by mcdavis.
• Richlistbox fixes:
  • [fix] bug 385374 After performing an operation to the selected richlistitem, it is no longer focused.
  • [fix] bug 416390 ctrl-click (right-click) does not select row.

Frequently Encountered Issues (FAQ)

I don't like the default toolbar layout.

The toolbar is customizable: simply right click on it, select Customize and have it your way.

Could you please add a keyboard shortcut for displaying the console?

This won't happen. Either use keyconfig or Web Developer for adding (and customizing) the shortcut.

I'd like to get more detailed error information: timestamp, stack trace, etc.

I'd like so, too. However, this won't happen before bug 228205 is fixed.

Some messages are not correctly categorized.

Have a look at this post and tell me where you don't agree.

I'd like to have the message backgrounds colored differently for errors, warnings and messages.

Just add mrtech's CSS suggestions to you userChrome.css and modify them as needed.

What about replacing the original JavaScript/Error Console with this extension?

This most probably won't happen (see bug 310168).