Node logging - definition & overview

Node logging provides engineers and developers with a system that allows them to manage and control what text gets logged and is sent. Node logging helps debug by saving information about an application and giving developers the insight to identify the causes of various incidents and errors.

Node logging libraries manage and maintain the various log events that developers create. Libraries make managing logs from a unified source easier, allowing applications to function more efficiently.

Without an optimal node logging library, it’s difficult to gain insights into how your applications are working, especially at the enterprise level. Node logging libraries give developers the tools to home in on aspects of their application through automated logging processes that make it easier and simpler to interact with log files.

Some of the most common examples of node logging libraries and tools include:

• Winston is one of the most widely used node logging libraries that allow developers to customize transports, use different transports, seamlessly handle exceptions, utilize a variety of defined error levels, and manage to profile.
• Pino underscores the importance of log processing best practices by ensuring that log processes run through separate mechanisms and processes, which will help mitigate complications from Node’s single-thread event loop model.
• Morgan helps to simplify the log request process on your applications by automatically generating log requests, saving developers the time and energy it would take to manually generate requests. While Morgan can be used on its own, it’s often used in conjunction with other node-logging libraries, like Winston.
• Node-Loggly is best suited for non-blocking and event-driven networks, due to its single-threaded nature.
• Node-Loggly is compatible and in accordance with Loggly API, which allows developers to manage the input and output of data more efficiently.

While you will still want to manually use a standard console log, logging libraries are often necessary if you want to scale, optimize app functionality, and ensure that applications are running at peak performance.

Before you start the development process with your team, you need to have a plan for defining logs, managing logs, and applying the right monitoring system to minimize crashes and issues. These best practices will ensure that you meet your node logging needs and that your apps run smoothly and efficiently.

• Defining log levels
  It’s important to define your log levels prior to the building process so you can differentiate between the various log events. Defining log levels will allow you to manage log events more effectively and consistently.

• Log management system and SIEM
  Especially for larger projects, log management systems and SIEM solutions can help identify and manage logs more effectively. While similar to log management systems, SIEM tools provide more advanced features and can easily centralize large aggregates of data.

• Monitoring tools
  Optimize logging activities by helping you to keep track of server performance and the causes of crashes, bugs, or other application issues. Because error tracking through node logging has been a challenge for developers, monitoring tools are a great supplement to your tracking strategies.

Logging is an essential and important part of preventing and alleviating errors within your applications. Having the necessary logging tools and best practices in place will help ensure your apps are running smoothly and error-free.

Sumo Logic offers support for structured logging functionality, helping IT organizations make the most of their event logs. Sumo Logic’s state-of-the-art, cloud-based security solution comes at a lower cost than competitors, has a shorter time to deployment, and has a more sophisticated and modern approach to enterprise security and data analysis.

Optimize your node logging strategy with Sumo Logic today.