A sentence that often hides an issue
“It works on my machine” is rarely a satisfying conclusion. It often means something is still escaping observation.
In the browser, the console plays a central role in this gap. It shows what happens locally, in a very specific context, with a state that may differ from another environment.
The console only shows what you ask for
A log is never neutral. It shows a value, at a given moment, in a given context. Nothing more.
If the console feels reassuring, it is sometimes because logs do not cover the right execution paths.
Comparing consoles, not impressions
When behavior differs between machines, comparing logs is often more effective than comparing feelings.
- same logging points
- same observed data
- same execution order
Without this shared base, the console can reinforce the illusion that “everything is fine”.
Reading logs with perspective
As explained in the previous article, the console can show a partial or misleading reality.
It remains a valuable tool, as long as it is not used to confirm an already-made conclusion 🙂