newsyslog

newsyslog is a system logging utility designed for Unix-like operating systems, particularly FreeBSD and its derivatives. It is a more modern and flexible alternative to the traditional syslogd daemon, offering enhanced features such as automatic log rotation, compression, and remote logging capabilities. newsyslog is often used to manage log files efficiently, ensuring that logs do not consume excessive disk space while maintaining accessibility for troubleshooting and monitoring.

The utility operates by reading configuration files, typically located in `/etc/newsyslog.conf`, which define rules for log rotation, file permissions, and other settings. Each rule specifies a log file, a frequency for rotation (e.g., daily, weekly), the number of backups to retain, and whether to compress old logs. newsyslog can also be configured to send logs to remote servers via syslog protocols, enabling centralized logging in networked environments.

One of its key advantages is its ability to rotate logs without interrupting system services. It achieves this by creating new log files while the system continues writing to the old ones, then switching the file descriptors once the new file is ready. This seamless transition prevents data loss and minimizes downtime. Additionally, newsyslog supports user-defined actions, such as executing scripts or sending notifications when log rotation occurs.

newsyslog is typically invoked via cron to run at scheduled intervals, ensuring logs are managed automatically. It is often used alongside other logging tools like syslog-ng or rsyslog for comprehensive log handling. While primarily found on FreeBSD, similar utilities exist on other platforms, but newsyslog remains a notable choice for systems requiring reliable and configurable log management.