WindsorContainer Construction Error and Logging Issue

Question

I'm using Castle windsor, and initiating it using a configuration file (and really want to keep everything there), which also holds a logging facility.

When I get an error from the windsor on initialization (due to wrong configuration, missing dependencies etc.), I don't have a logger initiated and therefore - can't write the error anywhere...Here's my code:

    private static ILogger m_Logger { get; set; } 

    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        try
        {
            // Windsor has missing dependencies
            var container = new WindsorContainer("windsor.xml");
            // Did not make it here...
            var logger = container.Resolve<ILogger>();
            m_Logger.Debug("Testing 123");
        }
        catch (Exception)
        {
            // Logger was not initialized, null reference exception!
            m_Logger.Debug("Testing 123");
        }
    }

What are my options here?

Thanks, Nir.

Answer 1

You can write to the Windows Event log:

catch (Exception ex)
{
    const string Source = "MySource";
    const string Log = "MyNewLog";

    // Create the source, if it does not already exist.
    if(!EventLog.SourceExists(Source))
    {
        EventLog.CreateEventSource(Source , Log);
    }

    // Create an EventLog instance and assign its source.
    EventLog myLog = new EventLog();
    myLog.Source = Source;

    string eventMessage = string.Empty;

    while (ex != null)
    {
        eventMessage += string.Format("{0}\n{1}\n{2}\n\n",
            ex.GetType().FullName,
            ex.Message,
            ex.SackTrace);
    }

    myLog.WriteEntry(eventMessage);
}

Answer 2

This really eats up all expectations of using an IOC container in the first place. Anyway you can create your logger (Ex: log4net) manually at the catch block, and log it.

...
catch (Exception)
{
    // Create logger here
    m_Logger = new Log4NetLogger(); // Assuming 'windsor.xml' configured to inject a Log4NetLogger
    m_Logger.Debug("Testing 123");
}