Re: How to debug "Specified time is not representable"

[Carsten Dominik <carsten.dominik@gmail.com>]

On Oct 3, 2011, at 1:50 PM, Karl Voit wrote:

> Hi!
> 
> * Jambunathan K <kjambunathan@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Karl Voit <devnull@Karl-Voit.at> writes:
>> 
>>> When I get «Specified time is not representable» while creating the
>>> Agenda view, I want to get more information *where* the problem is.
>>> 
>>> I found [1] and following and so I got it that there is no way of
>>> managing timestamps before 1970 :-(
>>> 
>>> Is there a way to get to the problematic time stamp?
>>>  1. http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-orgmode/2011-05/msg00729.html
>> 
>> Hope you have looked at C-h v org-read-date-force-compatible-dates 
> 
> Meanwhile: yes.
> 
> I do not want to use timestamps outside of UNIX epoch. I just wanted
> to *locate* the culprit.
> 
>> A simple M-x grep-find on .org files for the year should work.
> 
> I do not know the year.
> 
>> You may also try
>> M-x debug-on-entry RET ding RET
>> Look at the backtrace and see whether you can get some clues.
> 
> Sorry, no clue.


I have no general method.  However, you can do this:

1. On the "Options" menu, switch "Enter debug on error" on.
2. Run your agenda to hit the error.  A buffer with the backtrace
   pops open.
3. Press 

      e (current-buffer) RET

  to learn about the buffer where this happens

4. Press
   
      e pos RET

  to learn about the position of the offending time stamp.      

5. Press `q' to leave the backtrace buffer, then switch to the buffer
   you learned about and find the position you just learned about.
   THis should be the bad timestamp.

HTH

- Carsten


> 
>> Works best if your orgmode is not compiled
> 
> When I have compiled Orgmode, should I delete all *.elc files?
> 
> -- 
> Karl Voit
> 
> 

- Carsten