Interpreting the JVM logs

The JVM logs contain print data written by applications. The application can write this data written directly in the form of System.out.print(), System.err.print(), or other method calls. The application can also write data indirectly by calling a JVM function, such as an Exception.printStackTrace(). In addition, the System.out JVM log contains system messages written by the WebSphere Application Server.

You can format application data to look like WAS system messages by using the Installed Application Output field of the JVM Logs properties panel, or as plain text with no additional formatting . WAS system messages are always formatted.

Depending on how the JVM log is configured, formatted messages can be written to the JVM logs in either basic or advanced format.

 

Message formats

Formatted messages are written to the JVM logs in one of two formats...

Basic Format	The format used in earlier versions of WebSphere Application Server.
Advanced Format	Extends the basic format by adding information about an event, when possible.

 

Basic and advanced format fields

Basic and Advanced Formats use many of the same fields and formatting techniques. The various fields that may be found in these formats follow...

TimeStamp	The timestamp is formatted using the locale of the process where it is formatted. It includes a fully qualified date (for example YYMMDD) , 24 hour time with millisecond precision and a time zone.
ThreadId	An 8 character hexidecimal value generated from the hash code of the thread that issued the message.
ShortName	The abbreviated name of the logging component that issued the message or trace event. This is typically the class name for WebSphere Application Server internal components, but can be some other identifier for user applications.
LongName	The full name of the logging component that issued the message or trace event. This is typically the fully qualified class name for WAS internal components, but can be some other identifier for user applications.
EventType	A one character field that indicates the type of the message or trace event. Message types are in upper case. Possible values include... A An Audit message. I An Informational message. W A Warning message. E An Error message. F A Fatal message. O A message that was written directly to System.out by the user application or internal components. R A message that was written directly to System.err by the user application or internal components. u A special message type used by the message logging component of the WAS run time. Z A placeholder to indicate the type was not recognized.
ClassName	The class that issued the message or trace event.
MethodName	The method that issued the message or trace event.
Organization	The organization that owns the application that issued the message or trace event.
Product	WAS that issued the message or trace event.
Component	The component within the product that issued the message or trace event.

 

Basic format

Message events displayed in basic format use the following format. The notation <name> indicates mandatory fields that will always appear in the basic format message. The notation [name] indicates optional or conditional fields that will be included if they can be determined.

<timestamp><threadId><shortName><eventType>[className][methodName]<message>

 

Advanced format

Message events displayed in advanced format use the following format. The notation <name> is used to indicate mandatory fields that will always appear in the advanced format for message entries. The notation [name] is used to indicate optional or conditional fields that will be included if they can be determined.

<timestamp><threadId><eventType><UOW><source=longName>[className][methodName]<Organization><Product><Component>
<message>

 

See Also

Configuring the JVM logs
Viewing the JVM logs

 

---