Apache Logging Services Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Log4j 

Posted by The ASF Community, Projects

The Apache Logging Services project is celebrating 20 years since the inception of Log4j, a Java-based logging utility that enables flexible and configurable logging of messages in software applications.

Log4j emerged in 2003 as a solution to the limitations of existing logging mechanisms. Its primary goal is to provide developers with a reliable and efficient tool for generating log messages across various levels of severity. By offering features such as hierarchical logging, configurable output destinations, and flexible logging formats, Log4j aims to empower developers to easily manage, analyze, and troubleshoot the runtime behavior of their applications. 

In 2021 Log4Shell, a critical security vulnerability in the Apache Log4j library that allowed remote code execution, was discovered. The Logging Services community worked together to promptly address and secure open-source dependencies, ultimately creating the most secure logging framework to date. 

Two decades after its creation, the Logging Services project continues to grow its community of contributors and release additional logging framework and processing projects such as Log4cxx, Kotlin, Apache Chainsaw, log4net, and Apache Flume. 

The Logging Services project illustrates the Apache Software Foundation’s “Community Over Code” spirit – the importance of fostering a healthy and collaborative community as the foundation for successful open-source software development and long term viability.

To learn more about the Logging Services project, visit https://logging.apache.org/. You can also watch this video interview between Rich Bowen, ASF Member and FeatherCast podcast producer, and three members of the Logging Services project talking about the past 20 years and what’s coming in the next 20 years.

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