impossible to specify directories to logging FileHandler unless they exist

FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.4.2_06"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.2_06-b03)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.2_06-b03, mixed mode)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195] SP4


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
if you specify a patern to the FileHandler that contains directories that don't currently exist then the FileHandler will fail to initialise even if the directories can be created

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
configure a FileHandler for logging that uses a directory that can be created but doesn't exist.

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
the directories are created if the user has the permissions to do so
ACTUAL -
exception is thrown, FIleHandler is not configured.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
C:\>java -Djava.util.logging.config.file=c:\logging.properties LogTest
Can't load log handler "java.util.logging.FileHandler"
java.io.IOException: Couldn't get lock for %h/.myco/myapp/log%u.%g.log
java.io.IOException: Couldn't get lock for %h/.myco/myapp/log%u.%g.log
        at java.util.logging.FileHandler.openFiles(FileHandler.java:361)
        at java.util.logging.FileHandler.<init>(FileHandler.java:207)
        at sun.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance0(Native Method)
        at sun.reflect.NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(NativeConstructorAccessorImpl.java:39)
        at sun.reflect.DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.java:27)
        at java.lang.reflect.Constructor.newInstance(Constructor.java:274)
        at java.lang.Class.newInstance0(Class.java:308)
        at java.lang.Class.newInstance(Class.java:261)
        at java.util.logging.LogManager$5.run(LogManager.java:784)
        at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method)
        at java.util.logging.LogManager.initializeGlobalHandlers(LogManager.java:776)
        at java.util.logging.LogManager.access$900(LogManager.java:114)
        at java.util.logging.LogManager$RootLogger.getHandlers(LogManager.java:883)
        at java.util.logging.Logger.log(Logger.java:420)
        at java.util.logging.Logger.doLog(Logger.java:446)
        at java.util.logging.Logger.log(Logger.java:469)
        at LogTest.main(LogTest.java:7)

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
-- logging.properties --
handlers= java.util.logging.FileHandler, java.util.logging.ConsoleHandler
.level= ALL
java.util.logging.FileHandler.pattern = %h/.myco/myapp/log%u.%g.log
-- end logging.properties --

-- LogTest.java --

import java.util.logging.*;

public class LogTest {

public static void main(String[] args) {
Logger log = Logger.getLogger(LogTest.class.getName());
log.log(Level.SEVERE, "Hello World");
}

}

-- end LogTest.java --


---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
have to make directories first, but then have to parse the pattern.
the generate method in FileHandler is not exposed so need to re-invent the wheel.

Otherwise is a possible one line fix in FileHandler.java:openFiles(),
line 369
synchronized(locks) {
if (locks.get(lockFileName) != null) {
// We already own this lock, for a different FileHandler
// object. Try again.
continue;
}
FileChannel fc;
try {
+ lockFileName.getParent().mkdirs();
lockStream = new FileOutputStream(lockFileName);
fc = lockStream.getChannel();
} catch (IOException ix) {
// We got an IOException while trying to open the file.
// Try the next file.
continue;
}
###@###.### 2005-03-22 04:40:08 GMT