Logging Best Practices

What is Logging?

Logging involves recording events and activities within your application. These records, often referred to as log entries, can be invaluable for understanding how your application is behaving.

Key Logging Levels

Most logging frameworks utilize a hierarchical system of log levels. Understanding these levels is fundamental to effective logging.

• DEBUG: Detailed information for developers to diagnose problems.
• INFO: General information about the application's operation.
• WARN: Potential problems that might require attention.
• ERROR: Significant problems that need to be addressed.
• FATAL: Critical errors that may lead to application termination.

Best Practices

Here are some best practices to follow:

• Use Appropriate Log Levels: Don't log everything at DEBUG level. Use the most appropriate level for the context.
• Include Context: Log relevant contextual information like user ID, request ID, session ID, and timestamps.
• Structured Logging: Utilize structured logging (e.g., JSON) for easier querying and analysis.
• Avoid Sensitive Data: Never log passwords, API keys, or other sensitive information.
• Centralized Logging: Aggregate logs from multiple sources to a central logging system.

Resources

For more information, see the following resources:

• Logging Documentation
• Logging Tutorial