Company
Date Published
Author
Harness
Word count
1033
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Logging engine performance varies significantly across various tasks, with Log4J2 demonstrating remarkable speed in handling exceptions, underscoring the necessity of selecting the appropriate logging tool based on specific application requirements to optimize performance and resource usage. Logging is crucial for server-side applications, acting as the primary method for outputting live state in a persistent and readable manner. The study examined multiple prominent logging engines, including Log4J, Log4J2, Logback, SLF4J, and Java Util Logging, comparing their performance in standard logging activities such as logging string constants, POJOs, and throwable objects. These tests revealed that Log4J2 excelled particularly in logging exceptions, while the performance varied across other tasks. The experiments, conducted on an Amazon m1.large EC2 instance, highlighted how configuration changes, such as adjusting Log4J2's layout, can significantly impact performance. The results emphasize the importance of understanding the costs associated with logging context data and choosing the right engine to meet specific logging needs effectively.