What is the difference between tracing and logging?

What is the difference between tracing and logging?

Tracing and logging are both techniques used to monitor and debug applications, but they serve different purposes. Logging records events that happen in the application, while tracing provides a detailed view of the execution flow.

Can you give me an example of when to use tracing instead of logging?

Sure! Use tracing when you need to understand the sequence of function calls and how data flows through your application, especially in complex systems. Logging is better for capturing specific events or errors.

Are there any tools that can help with tracing?

Yes, there are several tools for tracing, such as Jaeger, Zipkin, and OpenTelemetry. These tools help visualize and analyze the performance of your applications.

What about logging? What tools do you recommend?

For logging, popular tools include Logstash, Fluentd, and Splunk. These tools help aggregate and analyze log data effectively.