[Python-Dev] Logging enhancements

[Vinay Sajip]

Hi Shane,

On 1/9/06, Shane Hathaway <shane at hathawaymix.org> wrote:
> I'd like to create a patch for the logging package, but before I do, I
> need to know whether someone else is working on the package and whether
> my patch is likely to be accepted.  Is there another group I should talk
to?

I maintain the logging package, and I will happily review patches and apply
them where I think they're fine. I have accepted many patches to the
package, some via SF and some sent privately, but also rejected a few. For
example, the TimedRotatingFileHandler was submitted by someone.

Patches need to be compatible with Python 1.5.2.

> - The logging.config.fileConfig function has bare excepts that hide
> configuration errors.  I'd like to remove the bare excepts and break up
> fileConfig for clarity.

I've no problem with this in principle, though there have been cases where
ConfigParser behaviour is not what you would expect (e.g. a non-existent
file leads to a "missing section" exception). I'd be grateful for more
specifics as to where you have encountered problems.

> - I'd like to make it possible to configure the format of exception
> tracebacks.  Some logs want compressed tracebacks like Medusa; others
> want extra information like Zope.

Again, no problem in principle, but it's probably an unusual use case so any
change should not require extra work for users without specialised
requirements.

> - There is no support for external log rotation.  There is plenty of
> support for Python rotating logs directly, but permission settings often
> make that impossible.  Long-running Python processes need to accept a
> signal which notifies them when an external tool rotates the logs.

I'd be interested in your approach to solve this.

> - The logging documentation is lacking somewhat.  For example, it fails
> to mention that the logging handlers are in the 'handlers' module, which
> I only learned by searching the source code.

Not true for this specific case - for example,
http://docs.python.org/lib/module-logging.html has a list of 12 handlers,
followed by a statement to the effect that all but StreamHandler and
FileHandler are defined in the handlers module.

In general, patches are gratefully received! If you don't want to invest too
much time up front, send me a mail indicating your general approach and
we'll discuss.

Best regards,

Vinay Sajip