You can controll this option at run time.

If you prefer to output to a table:

Execute SET GLOBAL log_output = 'TABLE';
Execute SET GLOBAL general_log = 'ON';
Take a look at the table mysql.general_log

If you prefer to output to a file instead of a table:

SET GLOBAL log_output = "FILE"; the default.
SET GLOBAL general_log_file = "/path/to/your/logfile.log";
SET GLOBAL general_log = 'ON';