access_log & virtual server access_logs

[Monyong]

does anyone knows when apache input entry into these logs? I noticed a change only when i stop and restarted apache. but for the error log it is updated instantly. Is it normal for apache to update access_logs only when it is restarted or does it update logs on time basis?

[athena]

Access logs are updated on access - namely someone has to ask for something from your server before an entry is made to the access log.

If you stop and re-start the server, that's asking it to do something and will update the access log.