Introduction to Logging
What Are Logs?
Logs are chronological records of events that occur within software applications, operating systems, and network devices. They serve as the digital equivalent of a ship’s logbook, documenting what happened, when it happened, and often providing context about why it happened.
Why Logging Matters
In today’s distributed systems and microservices architectures, logging is not just helpful — it’s essential. Here’s why:
- Debugging: Logs provide crucial information for identifying and fixing bugs
- Monitoring: They enable real-time monitoring of system health and performance
- Security: Logs help detect security incidents and unauthorized access
- Compliance: Many regulations require comprehensive logging for audit trails
- Performance Analysis: They help identify bottlenecks and optimization opportunities
- Business Intelligence: Application logs can provide insights into user behavior and business metrics
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