Method and structure for tokenized message logging system

Methods and structure for storing log messages (400-410, 900-914) in a tokenized, international format and for presenting (viewing, printing, etc) (500-508, 600-608) the tokenized log message in a locally preferred native language. Log messages from a computing system (204) or application (202) are stored in an international tokenized format (206-210) which remains constant regardless of the particular nation in which the system or application is operated. The tokenized format includes a message ID field which identifies a unique message and includes parameters values which are to replace variable portions, if any, of the identified message. A plurality of localized message catalog files (302, 304) are available to retrieve a localized native language string which corresponds to each tokenized message. The message ID field serves as an index to the localized catalog files. A viewer program (300) then retrieves a localized text string message from a selected message catalog file (302, 304) replacing any variable portions identified therein with parameter values supplied in the tokenized message. The formatted, localized native language message is then presented (e.g., displayed, printed, etc. 308) to the requesting user in their preferred local native language. The present invention thereby enables users having a first preferred language (e.g., 100-104) to review or otherwise process logged messages generated by a system or application operable in an environment having a second preferred language (e.g., 110-114). The present invention also simplifies parsing problems relating to automated analysis and post-processing of logged messages. The tokenized international format of the present invention remains constant regardless of the preferred local language of the system or application which generated the message.