How do I write to a log from mod_python under apache?

Question

I seem to only be able to write to the Apache error log via stderr. Anyone know of a more structured logging architecture that I could use from my python web project, like commons?

Answer 1

I've used the builtin Python logging module in (non-web) projects in the past, with success - it should work in a web-hosted environment as well.

Answer 2

There isn't any built in support for mod_python logging to Apache currently. If you really want to work within the Apache logs you can check out this thread (make sure you get the second version of the posted code, rather than the first):

• http://www.dojoforum.com/node/13239
• http://www.modpython.org/pipermail/mod_python/2005-October/019295.html

If you're just looking to use a more structured logging system, the Python standard logging module referred to by Blair is very feature complete. Aside from the Python.org docs Blair linked, here's a more in-depth look at the module's features from onLamp:

• http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/python/2005/06/02/logging.html

And for a quickie example usage:

• http://hackmap.blogspot.com/2007/06/note-to-self-using-python-logging.html

Answer 3

I concur with Blair Conrad's post about the Python logging module. The standard log handlers sometimes drop messages however. It's worth using the logging module's SocketHandler and building a receiver to listen for messages and write them to file.

Here's mine: Example SocketHandler receiver.