System.out.println vs Loggers in Java: A Comprehensive Guide

source : jenkov.com

When developing Java applications, effective logging is crucial for debugging and maintaining code. Two common approaches are using System.out.println and utilizing logging frameworks like Log4j, SLF4J, or java.util.logging. This article explores these two methods, comparing their use cases, advantages, and disadvantages with detailed explanations and ample code examples.

System.out.println: The Basics

System.out.println is a method provided by the PrintStream class in Java, used to print messages to the console.

Breakdown of System.out.println

• System: A final class in the java.lang package that provides access to system-level resources.
• out: A static final member of the System class of type PrintStream.
• println: A method of PrintStream that prints a message followed by a newline.

Code Example: Using System.out.println

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

This simple example prints “Hello, World!” to the console.

Advantages of System.out.println