Nlog: Log to working / current directory

[frunta]

Hi,

I cannot believe I'm the first who has this question/problem. How to configure NLog to write log files to working (current) directory, please?

Each time, when I call MyApp.exe (located in C:\Apps folder) from C:\Data\Dec folder, log files are created in C:\Apps folder. It does not matter if I use ${basedir} or not.

C:\Data\Dec> C:\Apps\MyApp.exe

NLog version: 4.4.12
Platform: .Net 4.6.1
Current NLog config & code

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<nlog xmlns="http://www.nlog-project.org/schemas/NLog.xsd"
 xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
 <targets>
  <target name="logfileA" xsi:type="File" fileName="fileA.txt" />
  <target name="logfileB" xsi:type="File" fileName="${basedir}/fileB.txt" />
  <target name="logfileC" xsi:type="File" fileName="${basedir}\fileC.txt" />
 </targets>
 <rules>
  <logger name="*" minlevel="Info" writeTo="logfileA" />
  <logger name="*" minlevel="Info" writeTo="logfileB" />
  <logger name="*" minlevel="Info" writeTo="logfileC" />
 </rules>
</nlog>

---

```C#
class Program
{
private static NLog.Logger log = NLog.LogManager.GetCurrentClassLogger();

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    log.Debug("debug message");
}

}
```

All the times, all three files are created in C:\Apps folder.

[304NotModified]

The basedir is where your .exe lives, so this is expected.

I think your are looking for the "processDir" option,

e.g.

 ${basedir:processDir=true}

See https://github.com/NLog/NLog/wiki/Basedir-Layout-Renderer

[frunta]

Thank you for your reply.

No. I do not want to have log files stored in MyApp.exe folder (app domain), but relatively in my current/working folder(C:\Docs\dec).

I understand the meaning of ${basedir}. It is described here: https://github.com/nlog/nlog/wiki/Logging-troubleshooting. Especially chapter Troubleshooting steps, paragraph 6.

If you don't use a fully qualified name of the file (such as c:\logs\log.txt, or ${basedir}\log.txt your logs may be written to the working directory, which is not necessarily the same directory as where the application resides.

I have not path to fileA fully qualified, but nevertheless it appears in MyApp.exe folder instead of C:\Data\dec).
I'm pretty sure, my working directory is C:\Docs\dec. The log file appears in C:\Apps :(

C:\Data\Dec> C:\Apps\MyApp.exe

using of ${basedir:processDir=true} has the same behavior. It does not make sense. I do want to base logger to process dir.

Thanks a lot!

[snakefoot]

@frunta You can register your own custom layout renderer that returns current directory:

https://github.com/NLog/NLog/wiki/How-to-write-a-custom-layout-renderer

string startupDirectory = System.IO.Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(); // Ensure it stays the same
NLog.LayoutRenderers.LayoutRenderer.Register("startupdir", (logEvent) => startupDirectory);

Then use it like this:

<target name="logfileC" xsi:type="File" fileName="${startupdir}\fileC.txt" />

[304NotModified]

I assume your question has been answered, if not, let us know!

[snakefoot]

@frunta PR #2491 has been created that adds a new layoutrenderer that supports currentdir.

[UgurAldanmaz]

@frunta, you can take a look its wiki page to learn how to use it. It will be released with the next version, v4.5.

[skyflyer]

${currentdir} is working in .NET and in .NET Core.