Error logs record system errors and can be used to diagnose and manage systems. They include error codes, times, and other information. Checking logs can provide insights into issues and hacking attempts. Logs are used to track problems on office networks and individual systems. Some systems keep an archive of logs that can be adjusted in the control panel.
An error log is a record of errors encountered by a system. There are several ways that error logs can be used, and they can be extremely useful tools for people who need to diagnose and manage systems such as web servers, office networks, and so on. Access to the error log may require special administrative permissions designed as a security measure to prevent unauthorized persons from viewing the error documentation.
Some error logs list every single error that occurs. Others can be programmed to selectively save error information, listing only certain error codes. Regardless of how the system was running, each entry in the error log includes an error code, a time, and can add other information such as an action someone was trying to complete, someone’s location, and whether the error was resolved or less. Logs can be searched to identify specific patterns or errors experienced by a particular user.
For webmasters, checking error logs can provide useful insights into issues people are experiencing. People don’t always report errors, and if a webmaster has a bad link, a form that can’t be submitted, or a similar problem, it may show up in the log before anyone gets the webmaster’s attention to the problem. The logs can also provide insight into hacking attempts, as hackers can cause server failures as they attempt to compromise the system.
For systems such as office networks, logs are used to track problems users are experiencing and to try to determine the causes of these errors. An error log on an individual system or piece of equipment can also be useful, especially if someone is reporting problems. By viewing the log, a technician can get more information about the problems they encountered and what, exactly, happened. The technician can fix the error or provide the user with information on where he went wrong.
Some systems will keep an error log of up to a certain number of entries, while others archive the logs so they can be viewed at any time. It may also be possible to adjust these settings within the system control panel. Someone launching a new website, for example, might want a large archive, anticipating potential problems when the site goes live, while a well-established, stable site might not need such a large archive.
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