[SOLVED] Serilog not creating log file when running on Linux

Issue

I'm having problems to enable logging when running ASP.NET Core application on Linux. I'm using Serilog.Sinks.File (but also tried with RollingFile) with following configuration defined in appsettings:

"Serilog": {
"Using": [ "Serilog.Sinks.File" ],
"MinimumLevel": {
  "Default": "Debug",
  "Override": {
    "Microsoft": "Warning",
    "System": "Warning"
  }
},
"WriteTo": [
  {
    "Name": "File",
    "Args": { "path": "core_log.log", "rollingInterval": "Day" }
  }
],
"Enrich": [ "FromLogContext", "WithMachineName", "WithThreadId" ],
"Properties": {
  "Application": "CORE service"
}  }

I also tried with with RollingFile sink using pathFormat but without success. What ever I try, application is not creating the log file.

I also tried multiple variants of path like: /var/test/app/core_log.log or just simply core_log.log but I'm not seeing file anywhere. I tried searching it using:

sudo find / -name '*.log' -print | grep core_log

It is important to mention that when running the same app on the Windows, everything works well and I can see log file created.

Did somebody have similar problem with Serilog on Linux? Can it be something related with privileges?

Solution

Just fixed this same problem with this configuration:

public static IWebHostBuilder CreateWebHostBuilder(string[] args) =>
    WebHost.CreateDefaultBuilder(args)
        .ConfigureAppConfiguration((hostingContext, config) =>
        {
            Log.Logger = new LoggerConfiguration()
                .WriteTo
                .File(Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory, "logs/.log"), rollingInterval: RollingInterval.Day)
                .CreateLogger();
        })
        .ConfigureLogging((hostingContext, logging) =>
        {
            logging.AddConfiguration(hostingContext.Configuration.GetSection("Logging"));
            logging.AddSerilog(dispose: true);
        })
        .UseStartup<Startup>();

Pay special attention to AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory. This will point to your Linux deploy folder. I guess it's possible to read the folder from a config file too.

I also had to create the folder manually, as pointed out by Nicholas (thank you!, not only for this), but not the file.

Answered By - DavidC

Answer Checked By - Willingham (WPSolving Volunteer)