How to log python program activity in Mac OS X

Question

I'm pretty new to Python programming so I have this question:

How can I log a Python application activity into /var/log with Mac OS X?

I tried using syslog module, but it does not seem to write anything. I tried also with the logging module, but I always run into a permission error.

How can I do it?

Update:

import logging
import time
LOG_FILENAME = "/var/log/writeup.log" + time.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
LOG_FORMAT = "%(asctime)s - %(filename)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s"
log = logging.getLogger("main.py")
log.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
ch = logging.FileHandler(LOG_FILENAME)
ch.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
format = logging.Formatter(LOG_FORMAT)
ch.setFormatter(format)
log.addHandler(ch)

I updated the question with the logging code. I tried syslog only in the python interpreter, using "import syslog" and "syslog.syslog('test') — CastleDweller
– CastleDweller, Commented Feb 11, 2010 at 12:16

CastleDweller · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-11 13:15:31Z

28

I found the solution. It seems that Mac OS X does not record any log activity lower than LOG_ALERT, so this does the trick

import syslog
# Define identifier
syslog.openlog("Python")
# Record a message
syslog.syslog(syslog.LOG_ALERT, "Example message")

This message is recorded on /var/log/system.log

answered Feb 11, 2010 at 13:15

CastleDweller

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5 Comments

user221209 Over a year ago

Yes, but is there a way to use python logging with a syslog handler ?

CastleDweller Over a year ago

Yes, through logging.handlers.SysLogHandler. Take a look: docs.python.org/library/…

Ye Liu Over a year ago

In OS X 10.8, the default is to save everything has higher priority than LOG_INFO in /var/log/system.log.

SolomidHero Over a year ago

Hi, how do exactly parametrize logging.handlers.SysLogHandler? I asked for clarification here, since console can't show human readable messages.

The Matt Over a year ago

As of MacOS 12.7, this does not seem to work anymore.

Arlukin · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-10 22:49:07Z

1

You can use the command line tool "syslog" on os x, to get all syslog events.

answered Sep 10, 2011 at 22:49

Arlukin

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Comments

Gene Bo · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-03 20:02:52Z

1

Here's a guide with about 5 steps you need to complete - they're straightforward, and it worked for me:

http://vastdevblog.vast.com/blog/2012/04/18/using-syslogappender-on-os-x/

Pay close attention to this step, as you have to make a few command calls there:

sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.syslogd.plist

...

Command: Add :Sockets:NetworkListener dict
Command: Add :Sockets:NetworkListener:SockServiceName string "syslog"
Command: Add :Sockets:NetworkListener:SockType string "dgram"

answered Oct 3, 2013 at 20:02

Gene Bo

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Comments

Kimvais · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-11 12:27:18Z

-2

the problem is that the account you are running the script as does not have write permission to /var/log

I do not know about OS X specifics, but I guess that syslog.syslog("message") should print something like (if it acts the way it does in Linux) Feb 11 14:27:47 hostname python: message to /var/log/messages

answered Feb 11, 2010 at 12:27

Kimvais

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2 Comments

CastleDweller Over a year ago

syslog works fine for GNU/Linux, but Mac OS X does not have a "messages" file like Linux, I tried to find some file where the log events where recorded, but without luck. It has /var/log/system.log but it does not record what syslog sends.

ben author Over a year ago

awfully late response here I know, but on mac /var/log/system.log does indeed record what you send via syslog, it's just filtering low priority messages out by default. try for example: syslog.syslog(syslog.LOG_ERR, "message")

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