# Formatting Messages

When using `dot-log` or `laminas-log`, the logged value is not limited to a string.
Arrays can be logged as well.
For better readability, these arrays can be serialized.
LaminasLog provides String, XML, JSON and FirePHP formatting.

The formatter accepts the following parameters:

- `name`: the formatter class (it must implement `Laminas\Log\Formatter\FormatterInterface`)
- `options`: passed to the formatter constructor if required

The following snippet formats the message as JSON data:

```php
'formatter' => [
    'name' => \Laminas\Log\Formatter\Json::class,
],
```