This article examines the distinction between Log.INFO and Log.DEBUG in logging systems. The topic has garnered significant attention over the past 12 years, with the question being modified recently and viewed approximately 168,000 times. However, due to its subjective nature, the discussion has been closed as it is considered opinion-based.
Log levels, including Debug and Info, are commonly employed in logging systems, each serving distinct purposes. DEBUG is primarily utilized for debugging, providing detailed information for troubleshooting, whereas INFO is intended to furnish support staff with relevant information.
The dissimilarities between these log levels encompass the quantity of logged information, performance implications, and the ease of identifying issues. Consequently, logging calls can also function as internal documentation and may be employed to treat errors triggered by user input as information.
The discussion also encompasses related aspects, such as enabling or disabling log.debug in AngularJS, the utilization of java.util.logging, and Eclipse console rules regarding clickable stack traces.
Log Levels
Log levels, such as DEBUG and INFO, play a crucial role in the logging system. They provide different levels of information for debugging and support staff, respectively, while also indicating problems and errors through the WARN to FATAL levels.
The DEBUG level is used to provide information specifically for debugging purposes. It helps developers identify and resolve issues during development.
On the other hand, the INFO level is intended for support staff. It provides them with relevant information about the system’s state and behavior.
The higher levels, WARN to FATAL, are used to highlight problems and errors that require attention and may impact the system’s functionality.
These log levels help in organizing and categorizing log messages. They make it easier to identify and address issues efficiently.
Factors to Consider
When deciding between different log message types, it is important to consider various factors such as:
- The volume of information being logged
- The logging setup in place
- The processing and input/output capabilities of the system
The amount of information being logged can have an impact on the performance of the system, especially in a production environment where logging may need to be enabled. More noise from excessive logging can also make it difficult to identify and troubleshoot problems.
Additionally, the logging setup and the processing and input/output power of the system can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of logging.
Therefore, it is crucial to carefully evaluate these factors to determine the appropriate log message type to use in a given situation.
Best Practices
One recommended approach for log message types is to carefully consider the relevant factors in order to determine the most appropriate option for a given scenario.
When it comes to log levels, it is generally considered best practice to use DEBUG for information intended solely for debugging purposes, such as variable values or method calls. On the other hand, INFO should be used for information that is useful for support staff or system administrators, such as high-level process flow or important events.
It is important to strike a balance between providing enough information for troubleshooting and avoiding excessive noise in the logs. Additionally, it is advisable to enable INFO level logging in production environments only when necessary, as it can have performance impacts.
Overall, the choice between INFO and DEBUG should be based on the specific requirements and constraints of the system being developed.
