Log only specific L:Vars in a display window for gauge debugging

I have always wanted to have a "quick and dirty" way to monitor specific L:VARs without installing a new gauge and trying to find the ones needed by scrolling etc. Perfect for things like programming sub-systems and such.

It's a 3 step process.

• Run "LVARS_2_TXT.lua" to get the full list (output = "ALL LVARS.txt") of L:VARs currently loaded by the selected aircraft. It's a "run once" lua but, one can use it multiple times if multiple aircraft projects are being done as it appends to the file. (creates a master list) -OR- Run the FSUIPC command "List local panel variables" to do the same and written to the FSUIPC log (Formatting necessary!) , without using  "LVARS_2_TXT.lua" - The former provides a pre-formatted, easy to use output.
• Pick the LVARs needed to monitor and copy them over into the array in "LVAR_SPECIFIC.lua". NOTE - The output in "ALL LVARS.txt" are pre-formatted for an easy copy --> paste. See notes in lua. Note - The lua display will truncate anything after 1023 characters so if this starts happening reorder your list in priority order.
• Run  "LVAR_SPECIFIC.lua" to monitor your selected L:VARs.

LVARS_2_TXT.lua

-- "LVARS_2_TXT" Loaded LVARs writer, by Roman Stoviak, September 2015
 
-- Open an exisitng "All LVARS.txt" file to append to, or create it if it doesn't exist.
-- It will go into the Modules folder because I've not included a full path (like "C:\....")
-- By using "assert" you get an error message if this fails
 
f = assert(io.open("ALL LVARS.txt","a+"))
 
-- get aircraft name and air file name
air, title = ipc.readStruct(0x3C00, "256STR", "256STR")
air = air:gsub('%z','')
title = title:gsub('%z','')
 
-- write the text headings
f:write("_______________________________________________________________\nTITLE,      AIR FILE\n" .. title .. ",      " .. air .. "\n_______________________________________________________________\n")
 
i = 0
while i < 65536 do     
name = ipc.getLvarName(i) 
if name ~= nil then
f:write("\"" .. name .. "\",\n")
i = i + 1
else 
break
end
 
end
 
-- tidy up at end ...
f:write("\n____________________   END OF LIST   ____________________\n\n")
f:close()
 
ipc.display("A pre-formatted L:VARs list has been created as FSX/Modules/ALL LVARS.txt", 0, 3)
ipc.sleep(3000)
 
-- end of program

LVAR_SPECIFIC.lua

Note - The lua below has the array preloaded with L:VARs "test1" thru "test4" as an example. 

-- "MONITOR SPECIFIC LVARS" fsuipc display, by Roman Stoviak, September 2015

--[[
NOTES -
Enter each L:VAR to monitor by getting the "preformated" list provided by "LVARS_2_TXT.lua". Each L:VAR name MUST be surrounded in quotes and followed by a comma for each the array entry(s). One could use a single line for each L:VAR -or- Place all the L:VARs inline.

EX. separate lines
"test1",
"test2",
"test3",
"test4",

EX. same line
"test1","test2","test3","test4",

PLACE THE L:VAR LISTING IN THE ARRAY BELOW BETWEEN THE 2 COMMENTS CONTAINING "!!!!!"

END NOTES   
]]


local monitor = { 
-- COMMENT   !!!!! START ARRAY ON NEXT LINE !!!!!
"test1",
"test2",
"test3",
"test4",
-- COMMENT   !!!!! END ARRAY !!!!!
		   }

local size = table.getn(monitor)

while 1 do
local i = 1
local out = ""
local disp = ""
	repeat
		out = ipc.readLvar(monitor[i])
		if out == nil then  -- NEW SECTION TO KEEP LUA ALIVE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS
			out = "no value"
		end
		disp = disp .. monitor[i] .. " = " .. out .. "\n"
		i = i + 1            
	until i == size + 1
	ipc.display(disp)		 
ipc.sleep(50)
end

Follow-up:  Last night I decided to automate it a little more..

1. If I am going to run LVARS_2_TXT.lua doesn't it mean I want to see the output ALL LVARS.txt instantly?
2. If I am going to read the output ALL LVARS.txt it doesn't it mean I want to modify LVAR_SPECIFIC.lua to include new Lvars to monitor?
3. Why not open them up right away instead of navigating to them?

Below is the last section of  LVARS_2_TXT.lua to make this happen.. Remember to change paths/programs to suit what's needed!

-- tidy up at end ...
f:write("\n____________________   END OF LIST   ____________________\n\n")
f:close()

ipc.display("A pre-formatted L:VARs list has been created as FSX/Modules/ALL LVARS.txt", 0, 1)
ipc.sleep(1000) 

-- CHANGE PATHS/PROGRAMS TO SUIT !!!!!!!
handle, error = ext.runif("E:/Notepad++/notepad++.exe","G:/FSX/Modules/ALL LVARS.txt")
handle2, error2 = ext.runif("E:/Notepad++/notepad++.exe","G:/FSX/Modules/LVAR_SPECIFIC.lua")

-- UNCOMMENT BELOW IF TEXT PROGRAMS DO NOT START - GET WINDOWS ERROR CODES
-- ipc.display(handle .. error .. "\n" .. handle2 .. error2, 0, 5)
-- ipc.sleep(5000)

-- end of program

[Originally contributed in old SimMarket support forums by Roman Stoviak / spokes2112]