logger Command: Tutorial & Examples

The logger command is a versatile tool in the Linux arsenal that is often overlooked. It is a shell command interface to the syslog system log module, which allows you to directly add messages into the system log file from the shell terminal or from within a shell script.

What it does

The logger command sends messages to the syslog daemon, which determines where to log the messages based on its configuration file, typically /etc/syslog.conf or /etc/rsyslog.conf depending on the system. This makes it a handy tool for diagnosing issues and tracking system behavior.

How it works

The logger command works by interfacing with the syslog module in the Kernel. When you run the command, it takes your message, adds a timestamp and other metadata, and passes it to syslog, which files it according to its configuration.

logger "This is a test message"

This will log the message "This is a test message" with a timestamp to the default log file, often /var/log/syslog or /var/log/messages depending on the system.

What it is used for

logger is used for adding custom messages to system logs. This can be helpful for debugging issues, tracking system behavior, or adding extra context to existing logs. For example, if you have a script that's causing a high load issue, you can use logger to add messages at various points in the script to track its progress and find the issue.

Why it is important

Understanding and utilizing the logger command is crucial for effective system administration and troubleshooting. It provides a simple and efficient way to interact with the system logs, making it easier to diagnose and solve problems.

How to use it and common command line parameters

The logger command is straightforward to use. The most basic usage is simply logger followed by your message. However, it also supports a number of useful options:

• -t, --tag adds a custom tag to your messages.
• -p, --priority sets the priority of the message. This is a combination of the facility and level, for example user.info or mail.warn.
• -i, --id logs the process ID with each message.
• -s, --stderr also outputs the message to the standard error.

Here's an example using some of these options:

logger -t myscript -p user.info "Script started"

This would log the message "Script started" with the tag "myscript" and a priority of user.info.

Potential problems and pitfalls

While logger is a powerful tool, there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, log files can become very large, and if not managed properly, they can fill up your disk space. You should set up log rotation to avoid this.

Another potential issue is that if your syslog daemon is not configured correctly, your messages may not be logged where you expect, or at all. Always check your syslog configuration if you're having issues with logger.

Finally, remember that anyone who can read the log files can see your messages. Don't log sensitive information like passwords or personal data.

Conclusion

The logger command is a powerful tool for interacting with your system logs. It's simple to use, but also supports a range of options for more complex use cases. Whether you're debugging a script or diagnosing a system issue, logger can be an invaluable tool in your Linux toolkit.