How to share log4j library most effectively

Question

i have a few batch java command-line applications which are planned to be deployed as:

batch_apps
  app_1
    batch1.jar
    run_batch1.sh
  app_2
    batch2.jar
    run_batch3.sh
{...etc...}

what would be the best practice on organizing a shared library pool - for example log4j:

batch_apps
  app_1
    batch1.jar
    run_batch1.sh
  app_2
    batch2.jar
    run_batch3.sh
  libs
    log4j.jar
    ojdbc.jar

?

and include individual log4j.xml's in each app's own jar file? i understand i would need to add 'libs' to the classpath either in manifests or in run_batchX.sh (which way is preferable?)

I am mostly wondering what would be the most efficient setup performance-wise.

thanks

Answer 1

Having a shared libs directory at the root of your install dir is definitely the way to go. Since libs will be loaded in memory once, when the JVM launches, there is no impact on performance whatever solution you choose.

I would not put the classpath in the jar files, as this would force you to change your jars if you need to relocate your lib dir. Editing a script is much simpler.

I would not include the log4j conf file in your jar files either, for the same reason.

Answer 2

This doesn't directly answer your question, but I have already tried the approach that you propose but would now create a single jar per application (see how to do it with Ant). That way, no need to include anything in the classpath:

java -jar myApp.jar

is all you need. I find it cleaner but everything is debatable.

It doesn't make any difference from a performance point-of-view since each application is run inside its own JVM.

The only downside is that some libraries will be present in each jar file. It only costs more to store on the HD, but these days, MB are pretty cheap :-) I trade simplicity (no external lib folder) and no jar hell (not placing your jars inside the Java ext folder) over storage price any time. If your application doesn't include terrabyte of libraries, I think it's fine.

For the Log4j configuration file, I would place one default file inside the jar but provide a sample config file (log4j-custom.xml.sample) that someone can modify and specify in the command line:

java -Dlog4j.configuration=log4j-custom.xml -jar myApp.jar

Answer 3

You can use the java extension mechanism. Place them in JAVA_HOME/lib/ext and they will be accessible by all apps. Of course, this may not be the best for all deployments, but its certainly easier.

Answer 4

It appears your applications don't share a single JVM instance. (i.e. They are individually started via 'java -jar batch1.jar' or some such.) Therefore, sharing library .jar files only saves you DISK space not RAM.

If the apps are not sharing a single JVM then ease-of-deployment should take precedence over disk space. (Your time is worth more than a few "wasted" MB.)

In this instance I would recommend making each application self contained, in either a single .jar file including all its libraries, or a single folder of .jar files. (i.e. Put the libs for each app in a folder for that app.)

If the apps were sharing a single JVM then I would recommend the shared library folder option.