log_errors_max_len = 1024 in php.ini, but php log keeps growing

Question

As the title says, I've set the max length for the php error log, but it seems to keep growing much much larger than 1024. I am using the correct php.ini, I've restarted apache, etc. The permissions on the php log are 666.

Answer 1

As is typical for PHP, it is not really obvious from the name of the configuration setting, or even the documentation, but this directive applies to the length of a single log message, not the length of the log file as a whole.

Use logrotate or a similar tool for what you are trying to do.

Answer 2

Verified Pascal's initial thought:

log_errors_max_len integer

Set the maximum length of log_errors in bytes. In error_log information about the source is added. The default is 1024 and 0 allows to not apply any maximum length at all. This length is applied to logged errors, displayed errors and also to $php_errormsg. When an integer is used, the value is measured in bytes. Shorthand notation, as described in this FAQ, may also be used.