NTail

NTail

NTail is a log file 'tail' plugin for Eclipse that enables multiple, independent view instances to be open at the same time. Each view instance is, in turn, capable of hosting its own independent set of log tail viewers.

Developed to enable watching host platform and plugin-in runtime platform log files at the same time. Useful to simultaneously watch the log files of a mutli-tier system. Also enables watching the same log file in separate views subject to different line filters.

NTail screen shot

Features

  • Multiple independent view instances can be concurrently open and active -- concurrently see the output of multiple log files.
  • Stack trace line errors are hyperlinked to the JDT.
  • Simple, efficient definition of log filters.
  • Runs on Aptana/Ruby/RadRails and other Eclipse-RCP platforms (JDT not required)
  • ... and other standard features of log watchers.

Development State

  1. Stable.
  2. The definition, order and allocation of log file viewers among views can be set from the preference pages.
  3. Starup-performance is highly dependent on the size and number of log files being tailed.

Use

  • Opening Views
    • The first view opens from Windows->Show View->Other...->Logging->NTail.
    • Second and subseqent views can be opened from the view menu or from the right-click menu of any open NTail view.
  • Highlighting
    • Uses a standard Java RegEx expression to define the highlight match
    • Basic: use a simple text string
    • Advanced: use capturing groups to define the highlight portion of the match
    • Examples:
      • DEBUG // highlights the word DEBUG
      • DE(BUG) // highlights the word BUG only where it appears as part of the word DEBUG
      • net\.certiv\.base\.(NTail|Util) // highlights either NTail or Util where it occurs as part of the package name
      • (DEBUG).*(Page \d+) // highlights DEBUG and the page number only for lines that contain both
  • Search
    • Control-F or select find from the right-click menu
    • Searches over the visible content of the viewer.

Installation & Requirements

  • NTail 0.60+: Eclipse 3.3+
  • NTail 0.54: Eclipse 3.2.x+
  • Eclipse VM: JDK 1.5+

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