[Opensource] Commons Logger Rehash....

[Michael Rimov]

Hey All,

I'm thinking once again of switching the 5.1 code over to commons logger 
where the framework takes over strict initialization of the library to save 
some people's grief.  Underneath, I'm still planning on using log4j... I 
like logfactor5, and chainsaw as tools, and JDK 1.4 doesn't even come close.

Ok, now onto my reasoning.  In the past, when a spec initially doesn't hold 
up, we've painted ourselves into a corner by following strictly another 
spec and not allowing for other technologies to replace the initial 
decision.  This is especially true when you have corporate developers who 
are looking to follow 'J2EE strictly'.

So I've been thinking to myself that it won't be long before somebody wants 
to use JDK 1.4 logging instead of log4j, "Because it is standard".... By 
having expresso internally use Commons API for its logging API they can 
easily do what they want with about 2 lines of code changed.

Furthermore the Expresso _user_ doesn't have to change a thing because 
since currently we use log4j as the underpinnings, direct use of Log4j 
would work just as before.

Given this thought, what do you guys think now?  Since I have to switch 
over all the log4j categories before 5.1 release, I figured now would be 
the time to switch anyway....

					-Mike