| # log4js-node [](http://travis-ci.org/log4js-node/log4js-node) [](https://codecov.io/gh/log4js-node/log4js-node) |
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| [](https://nodei.co/npm/log4js/) |
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| This is a conversion of the [log4js](https://github.com/stritti/log4js) |
| framework to work with [node](http://nodejs.org). I started out just stripping out the browser-specific code and tidying up some of the javascript to work better in node. It grew from there. Although it's got a similar name to the Java library [log4j](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/), thinking that it will behave the same way will only bring you sorrow and confusion. |
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| The full documentation is available [here](https://log4js-node.github.io/log4js-node/). |
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| [Changes in version 3.x](https://log4js-node.github.io/log4js-node/v3-changes.md) |
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| There have been a few changes between log4js 1.x and 2.x (and 0.x too). You should probably read this [migration guide](https://log4js-node.github.io/log4js-node/migration-guide.html) if things aren't working. |
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| Out of the box it supports the following features: |
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| * coloured console logging to stdout or stderr |
| * file appender, with configurable log rolling based on file size or date |
| * a logger for connect/express servers |
| * configurable log message layout/patterns |
| * different log levels for different log categories (make some parts of your app log as DEBUG, others only ERRORS, etc.) |
| |
| Optional appenders are available: |
| * [SMTP](https://github.com/log4js-node/smtp) |
| * [GELF](https://github.com/log4js-node/gelf) |
| * [Loggly](https://github.com/log4js-node/loggly) |
| * Logstash ([UDP](https://github.com/log4js-node/logstashUDP) and [HTTP](https://github.com/log4js-node/logstashHTTP)) |
| * logFaces ([UDP](https://github.com/log4js-node/logFaces-UDP) and [HTTP](https://github.com/log4js-node/logFaces-HTTP)) |
| * [RabbitMQ](https://github.com/log4js-node/rabbitmq) |
| * [Redis](https://github.com/log4js-node/redis) |
| * [Hipchat](https://github.com/log4js-node/hipchat) |
| * [Slack](https://github.com/log4js-node/slack) |
| * [mailgun](https://github.com/log4js-node/mailgun) |
| |
| |
| ## Getting help |
| Having problems? Jump on the [slack](https://join.slack.com/t/log4js-node/shared_invite/enQtMjk5OTcxODMwNDA1LTk5ZTA0YjcwNWRiYmFkNGQyZTkyZTYzYTFiYTE2NTRhNzFmNmY3OTdjZTY3MWM3M2RlMGQxN2ZlMmY4ZDFmZWY) channel, or create an issue. If you want to help out with the development, the slack channel is a good place to go as well. |
| |
| ## installation |
| |
| ```bash |
| npm install log4js |
| ``` |
| |
| ## usage |
| |
| Minimalist version: |
| ```javascript |
| var log4js = require('log4js'); |
| var logger = log4js.getLogger(); |
| logger.level = 'debug'; |
| logger.debug("Some debug messages"); |
| ``` |
| By default, log4js will not output any logs (so that it can safely be used in libraries). The `level` for the `default` category is set to `OFF`. To enable logs, set the level (as in the example). This will then output to stdout with the coloured layout (thanks to [masylum](http://github.com/masylum)), so for the above you would see: |
| ```bash |
| [2010-01-17 11:43:37.987] [DEBUG] [default] - Some debug messages |
| ``` |
| See example.js for a full example, but here's a snippet (also in `examples/fromreadme.js`): |
| ```javascript |
| const log4js = require('log4js'); |
| log4js.configure({ |
| appenders: { cheese: { type: 'file', filename: 'cheese.log' } }, |
| categories: { default: { appenders: ['cheese'], level: 'error' } } |
| }); |
| |
| const logger = log4js.getLogger('cheese'); |
| logger.trace('Entering cheese testing'); |
| logger.debug('Got cheese.'); |
| logger.info('Cheese is Comté.'); |
| logger.warn('Cheese is quite smelly.'); |
| logger.error('Cheese is too ripe!'); |
| logger.fatal('Cheese was breeding ground for listeria.'); |
| ``` |
| Output (in `cheese.log`): |
| ```bash |
| [2010-01-17 11:43:37.987] [ERROR] cheese - Cheese is too ripe! |
| [2010-01-17 11:43:37.990] [FATAL] cheese - Cheese was breeding ground for listeria. |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Note for library makers |
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| If you're writing a library and would like to include support for log4js, without introducing a dependency headache for your users, take a look at [log4js-api](https://github.com/log4js-node/log4js-api). |
| |
| ## Documentation |
| Available [here](https://log4js-node.github.io/log4js-node/). |
| |
| There's also [an example application](https://github.com/log4js-node/log4js-example). |
| |
| ## TypeScript |
| ```ts |
| import { configure, getLogger } from 'log4js'; |
| configure('./filename'); |
| const logger = getLogger(); |
| logger.level = 'debug'; |
| logger.debug("Some debug messages"); |
| |
| configure({ |
| appenders: { cheese: { type: 'file', filename: 'cheese.log' } }, |
| categories: { default: { appenders: ['cheese'], level: 'error' } } |
| }); |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Contributing |
| |
| We're always looking for people to help out. Jump on [slack](https://join.slack.com/t/log4js-node/shared_invite/enQtMjk5OTcxODMwNDA1LTk5ZTA0YjcwNWRiYmFkNGQyZTkyZTYzYTFiYTE2NTRhNzFmNmY3OTdjZTY3MWM3M2RlMGQxN2ZlMmY4ZDFmZWY) and discuss what you want to do. Also, take a look at the [rules](https://log4js-node.github.io/log4js-node/contrib-guidelines.html) before submitting a pull request. |
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| ## License |
| |
| The original log4js was distributed under the Apache 2.0 License, and so is this. I've tried to |
| keep the original copyright and author credits in place, except in sections that I have rewritten |
| extensively. |