log4j: abbreviate/shorten package names

Question

How would i abbreviate/shorten package names in log generated using log4j. i.e. instead of com.longpackage.anotherpackage.lastpackage.MyClass i want c.l.a.l.M

Answer 1

It turns out that this is possible using log4j after all(tested using v1.2.16), thanks to Tomasz Nurkiewicz for pointing me to LogBack. The feature, ConversionWord, is available using the EnhancedPatternLayout layout.

From the javadoc

... For example, for the category name "alpha.beta.gamma" the pattern %c{2} will output the last two elements ("beta.gamma"), %c{-2} will remove two elements leaving "gamma", %c{1.} will output "a.b.gamma" ...

I'm using JBoss and had to upgrade log4j and use the above layout.