How to Log Exception in a file?

Question

I want to be able to do logging in every catch block. Something like this.

catch (Exception exception)
{
  Logger.Write(exception);
}

and then the settings in the configuration will pick up the Message and StackTrace property etc using customer listener.

I would like to use Enterprise Library Logging Application Block. I'm sure someone must have done this already.

Randy Levy · Accepted Answer · 2022-04-01T04:03:55.387

Others have posted some good links on getting the Logging Application Block (LAB) working so I won't duplicate that here.

In terms of formatting your exception you have 3 choices that I can think of:

Use the default Exception.ToString() implementation (it's not bad)
Write a Custom Formatter that integrates into the LAB.
Write a helper function that performs the formatting and passes the string into the Write method.

If option 1 doesn't meet your needs then I would recommend going with option 3 (since option 2 is overkill).

A simple example would be something like:

    catch (Exception exception)
    {
        Logger.Write(LogHelper.CreateExceptionString(exception));
    }

    ...

    public static string CreateExceptionString(Exception e)
    {
        StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
        CreateExceptionString(sb, e);

        return sb.ToString();
    }

    private static void CreateExceptionString(
        StringBuilder sb,
        Exception e,
        string indent = "")
    {
        if (indent.Length > 0)
        {
            sb.AppendFormat("{0}Inner ", indent);
        }

        sb.AppendFormat("Exception Found:\n{0}Type: {1}",
            indent, e.GetType().FullName);
        sb.AppendFormat("\n{0}Message: {1}",
            indent, e.Message);
        sb.AppendFormat("\n{0}Source: {1}",
            indent, e.Source);
        sb.AppendFormat("\n{0}Stacktrace: {1}",
            indent, e.StackTrace);

        if (e.InnerException != null)
        {
            sb.Append("\n");
            CreateExceptionString(sb, e.InnerException, indent + "  ");
        }
    }

It is also helpful to include the name of the type of Exception. But otherwise quite nice. — Andrew Anderson, Jun 07 '10 at 17:19
@Andrew: yeah or you could add some code to extract the IDictionary from the Data property. — Randy Levy, Jun 07 '10 at 18:18
[Here](http://www.aspsnippets.com/Articles/Create-simple-Error-Log-Text-File-in-ASPNet-using-C-and-VBNet.aspx) is another **solution**. hope helps. — Shaiju T, Dec 21 '16 at 12:43
I used Shaijut solution, seemed more simple one for my purpose, thanks to everybody — Juano, Sep 01 '20 at 15:28

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 07 '10 at 13:04

6

Microsoft has provided extensive guidance on this here: Developing Applications Using the Logging Application Block

It's well worth familiarizing yourself with what they have to say, as it's quite powerful.

If you want something a little more down to earth, some working examples are provided in this blog article: How To Configure and Use the Logging Application Block

If you're still having trouble after reading those, edit your post with more specific details about what seems to be the problem.

answered Jun 07 '10 at 13:04

Andrew Anderson

3,409
22
25

Can I do something to directly pass exception object so that it gives detailed stack trace etc. which will be helpful in debugging? – IsmailS Jun 07 '10 at 13:06
You could create a pretty simple method and/or string.format template and then use it when calling Logger.Write. – Andrew Anderson Jun 07 '10 at 13:30
1

The configure link goes directly to advertising. – sweetfa Aug 12 '16 at 03:29
1

According to your first link, this technology is now outdated. – sweetfa Aug 12 '16 at 03:30

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 16 '13 at 13:42

@iSid Is this what you are asking for

public static void printException(Exception ex){
                Console.WriteLine("HelpLink = {0}", ex.HelpLink);
                Console.WriteLine("Message = {0}", ex.Message);
                Console.WriteLine("Source = {0}", ex.Source);
                Console.WriteLine("StackTrace = {0}", ex.StackTrace);
                Console.WriteLine("TargetSite = {0}", ex.TargetSite);

            }

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

1

You need to add an appropriate listener for Text files - see this post, its for ASP.NET but the config files work the same way across applications.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

Community

1
1

answered Jun 07 '10 at 12:57

Ta01

31,040
13
70
99

Can I do something to directly pass exception object so that it gives detailed stack trace etc. which will be helpful in debugging. – IsmailS Jun 07 '10 at 13:04

How to Log Exception in a file?

4 Answers4

Linked