Getting started with Chainsaw, the log4j analyzer

This documentation was written because there doesn't seem to be a five-minute introduction anywhere on their site.  I had to hit multiple web sites to compile this basic information.

Your log4j.xml must contain an appender that goes to a file and uses the XMLLayout. Here's a sample:

    <appender name="chainsaw_log" class="org.apache.log4j.RollingFileAppender">
        <param name="File" value="blipfoot.log.xml"/>
        <param name="Append" value="true"/>
        <param name="Threshold" value="DEBUG"/>
        <param name="MaxFileSize" value="100MB"/>
        <param name="MaxBackupIndex" value="2"/>
        <layout class="org.apache.log4j.xml.XMLLayout" />
    </appender>

You can use Chainsaw 1.2, which ships inside the log4j distribution. Run it like this:
java -classpath log4j-1.2.12.jar org.apache.log4j.chainsaw.Main
Or you can use Chainsaw 2, which is at this Java Web Start link.

Version 2 gives you pretty colors, I haven't yet figured out how to filter by logging level, which is pretty important.  Version 1.2 couldn't make it any clearer: there's a level drop down placed prominently.

Comments

[Scott]

In Chainsaw V2: click the 'refine focus' drop down to filter on level.

There are other useful features: lots of ways to receive events via 'receivers', the ability to colorize, filter and search using the expression syntax, and the logger tree pane which allows you to quickly navigate/filter events.

There's a tutorial available from Chainsaw V2's 'Welcome' tab. Also, right-click in the event table or the expression box for more useful functionality.

Good luck!

Scott

[chanel 2.55]

There's a tutorial available from Chainsaw V2's 'Welcome' tab. Also, right-click in the event table or the expression box for more useful functionality.

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