log4net file appender file location

In log4net, we can use the FileAppender to log information into text files. There are two ways to specify the file:

1. Specify the file name in absolutely path. For example:

<log4net>
    <appender name="FileAppender" type="log4net.Appender.FileAppender">
      <file value="c:\logs\log-file.txt" />
      <appendToFile value="true" />
      <lockingModel type="log4net.Appender.FileAppender+MinimalLock" />
      <layout type="log4net.Layout.PatternLayout">
        <conversionPattern value="%date [%thread] %-5level %logger - %message%newline" />
      </layout>
    </appender>
</log4net>

Obviously, the file will be created in c:\logs\log-file.txt

2. Specify the file name in relative path. For example:

<log4net>
    <appender name="FileAppender" type="log4net.Appender.FileAppender">
      <file value="logs\log-file.txt" />
      <appendToFile value="true" />
      <lockingModel type="log4net.Appender.FileAppender+MinimalLock" />
      <layout type="log4net.Layout.PatternLayout">
        <conversionPattern value="%date [%thread] %-5level %logger - %message%newline" />
      </layout>
    </appender>
</log4net>

In web application, the file will be created at the <web site root folder>/logs/log-file.txt. You have to make sure you created the file first and the application pool user has the Modify permission on the file.