[转].NET Logging Tools and Libraries

.NET Logging Tools and Libraries

The definitive directory and guide to .NET logging tools, frameworks and articles

 

 

Comparison of .NET Logging Frameworks and Libraries

Please note that the comparison of the different frameworks is a work in progress. If you believe that we missed an important feature or that we got one of the details wrong, please let us know.

	SmartInspect	NLog	log4net	Enterprise Library	ObjectGuy Framework
License	Commercial	BSD	Apache	MS-PL	Custom
Source available
Vendor	Gurock	-	Apache	Microsoft	-
Website	Link	Link	Link	Link	Link
Basic Features	SmartInspect	NLog	log4net	Enterprise Library	ObjectGuy Framework
Logging simple text messages
Log levels to filter messages	Debug Verbose Message Warning Error Fatal	Debug Trace Info Warn Error Fatal	Debug Info Warn Error Fatal	Verbose Information Warning Error Critical	Debug Info Status Warning Error Critical Fatal
Multiple connections or targets
Log categories or sessions					Limited
Log file rotation by date/time
Log file rotation by size
Log file rotation max parts
Optional configuration files
Advanced Features	SmartInspect	NLog	log4net	Enterprise Library	ObjectGuy Framework
Logging objects and arrays
Logging complex structures and binary data
Thread-safe logging					?
Tracing method invocation		Text-only	Text-only	Text-only	Text-only
Logging variable values		Text-only	Text-only	Text-only	Text-only
Watching variable values
Logging thread and process behavior
Advanced protocols and connections	Network Named Pipe Memory Binary Files Custom	Network Memory MSMQ Database Custom	Network Memory Database Custom	WMI MSMQ Custom	Network Memory Custom
Advanced protocol options	Buffer Reconnect Interval Encryption	Buffer Reconnect	Buffer	?
Asynchronous logging and backlog queues		Async-only
Log server application
Graphical Viewer	SmartInspect	NLog	log4net	Enterprise Library	ObjectGuy Framework
Graphical viewer application		1)	2)
Advanced filtering capabilities
Navigation functionality
Call stacks, graphs and message details
Multiple views or windows
Live monitoring via network or pipes
Viewing and inspecting application data
Graphical configuration utility
Documentation & Support	SmartInspect	NLog	log4net	Enterprise Library	ObjectGuy Framework
Getting started tutorials
Online articles / advanced topics
API Reference
Community support
Professional / priority support

1) A project called NLogViewer is mentioned on some websites, but it looks like it's outdated and/or not supported anymore.
2) There are some basic viewer applications available from third-parties, but those aren't part of the project.

 

When searching for this page, usual search words that are used include NLog vs. log4net, log4net vs. Enterprise Library (also calledLogging Application Block). Log4net is also often called log4n (which is actually wrong). Any suggestions?