Effective logging is essential for debugging, monitoring, and maintaining applications. Here are key practices to enhance your logging strategy:
1. Use Structured Data
Avoid plain text logs by adopting structured formats like JSON. This makes parsing and analysis easier.
2. Implement Log Levels
Utilize DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, and CRITICAL levels to categorize log severity.
3. Avoid Sensitive Information
Never log passwords, API keys, or personal data. Use placeholders like *** for secrets.
4. Include Contextual Metadata
Add timestamps, request IDs, and user information to trace issues quickly.
5. Leverage Centralized Logging
Use tools like ELK Stack or Datadog to aggregate logs from multiple sources.
6. Set Retention Policies
Define time-based or size-based rules to manage log storage efficiently.
7. Enable Log Rotation
Prevent disk space exhaustion by rotating logs daily or weekly.
For deeper insights, check our Debugging Best Practices guide. 🚀