What is structured logging in Python?

What is structured logging in Python?

Structured logging is a method of logging where log entries are formatted in a structured way, often as JSON. This allows for easier parsing and querying of log data.

How does it differ from traditional logging?

Traditional logging typically outputs plain text, making it hard to extract specific information. Structured logging, on the other hand, organizes data into key-value pairs, enhancing readability and analysis.

Can you show me an example of structured logging in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example using the logging module:

import logging
import json

class StructuredFormatter(logging.Formatter):
    def format(self, record):
        log_obj = {
            'level': record.levelname,
            'message': record.getMessage(),
            'time': self.formatTime(record),
        }
        return json.dumps(log_obj)

logger = logging.getLogger('my_logger')
handler = logging.StreamHandler()
handler.setFormatter(StructuredFormatter())
logger.addHandler(handler)
logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)

logger.info('This is a structured log message.')

This will output a JSON formatted log entry.

What libraries can I use for structured logging?

You can use libraries like structlog, loguru, or even the built-in logging module with custom formatters for structured logging in Python.