Logging and Tracing

Logging and tracing are two important tools that can help you troubleshoot, maintain, and improve LOB applications. Event logging refers to storing information about actions taken by the software, including the generation of exceptions, to assist with auditing the application and obtaining diagnostic information. Logging information is typically consumed by a system administrator or the customer using the software. Tracing is the generation of debugging information and is most often used by the developer to troubleshoot software in the field.

An important distinction between logging and tracing information is that tracing often provides more detailed, diagnostic information specific to the code for the application. Often this information is only useful to developers troubleshooting the application. Sometimes the information is also sensitive, and systems are configured so that tracing information can only be generated and viewed by authorized developers.