Configure Log4j2 for JUnit Tests

Using different log4j2 configuration file for junit testing is desired by most of the developers. Let’s learn some recommended ways to configure Log4j2 – specific to junit tests and different from used in production.

Table of Contents

Place log4j2-test.xml in test folder
Use log4j.configurationFile property in @BeforeClass

1. Place log4j2-test.xml in test/resources folder

Place the log4j2-test.xml file in src/test/resources folder. By placing a log4j2-test.xml into this directory will cause it to be used instead of a log4j2.xml or log4j2.json that might be present.

2. Use log4j.configurationFile property in @BeforeClass

Another way to introduce different log file for junit tests is – to set log4j.configurationFile property in @BeforeClass annotation in any test class.

E.g. Create test specific logging configuration file log4j2-testConfig.xml and place it in resources folder. Now let use this file in JUnit tests.

import java.net.MalformedURLException;

import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
import org.junit.BeforeClass;
import org.junit.Test;

public class HelloWorldTest 
{
	private static Logger LOGGER = null;
	
	@BeforeClass
	public static void setLogger() throws MalformedURLException
	{
		System.setProperty("log4j.configurationFile","log4j2-testConfig.xml");
		LOGGER = LogManager.getLogger();
	}
	
	@Test
	public void testOne()
	{
		LOGGER.debug("Debug Message Logged !!!");
        LOGGER.info("Info Message Logged !!!");
        LOGGER.error("Error Message Logged !!!", new NullPointerException("NullError"));
	}
}

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Happy Learning !!