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Are there any performance differences between using NLog and log4net with MvvmCross


When comparing NLog and log4net for use with MvvmCross, several performance differences and considerations emerge:

1. Performance Overview:
- NLog is generally considered faster than log4net. It has been optimized for speed and efficiency, making it suitable for high-performance logging scenarios. NLog's latest versions have further improved its initialization speed by skipping automatic scanning of extensions unless explicitly required[9][10].
- log4net, while reliable, tends to be slower, particularly in scenarios involving a high volume of log messages. It lacks built-in asynchronous logging support, which can impact performance in concurrent environments[4][10].

2. Asynchronous Logging:
- NLog provides built-in asynchronous logging support, which is beneficial for applications that require non-blocking logging operations. This feature helps maintain application responsiveness by offloading log writing to background threads[1][6].
- log4net does not have native asynchronous logging capabilities. Users must rely on external packages or custom implementations to achieve async logging, which can add complexity and overhead[4].

3. Structured Logging:
- NLog supports structured logging, although it is not as robust as Serilog's implementation. NLog's structured logging can be achieved through its layout renderers and properties, which allow for semantic logging without additional overhead[6][7].
- log4net does not inherently support structured logging. While it can be extended with custom appenders to achieve some level of structured logging, it is not as straightforward or efficient as NLog or Serilog[7].

4. Configuration and Setup:
- NLog offers a more modern API and is generally easier to configure, especially for developers familiar with .NET Core or ASP.NET Core. Its configuration can be done via XML, JSON, or code[1][7].
- log4net has a more traditional configuration approach, primarily using XML. While it is widely adopted and has extensive resources, its configuration can be more cumbersome for some users[7].

5. Community and Support:
- Both frameworks have large communities, but NLog tends to have more active development and releases. This can be important for projects requiring ongoing support and updates[11].
- log4net is mature and widely used, but its release cycle is slower compared to NLog[11].

In summary, NLog offers better performance, asynchronous logging capabilities, and structured logging support, making it a more suitable choice for projects with high logging demands or those integrating with modern .NET environments. log4net, while reliable and widely adopted, may require more custom work for advanced features and lacks the performance edge of NLog. For MvvmCross projects, NLog's advantages in speed and flexibility might make it a preferable option unless specific requirements or existing infrastructure favor log4net.

Citations:
[1] https://wirefuture.com/post/mastering-application-insights-logging-using-nlog-log4net-and-serilog
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/dotnet/comments/9cziy4/nlog_vs_log4net_vs_serilog_compare_net_logging/
[3] https://blog.ndepend.com/log4net-vs-nlog/
[4] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/710863/log4net-vs-nlog
[5] https://kellermansoftware.com/products/net-logging-library
[6] https://www.bytehide.com/blog/serilog-log4net-nlog-comparison
[7] https://blog.elmah.io/nlog-vs-log4net/
[8] https://betterstack.com/community/guides/logging/best-dotnet-logging-libraries/
[9] https://nlog-project.org/2021/08/25/nlog-5-0-preview1-ready.html
[10] https://hansamaligamage.github.io/2016/05/29/NLog-Configurations/
[11] https://michaelscodingspot.com/logging-in-dotnet/