Custom Metrics
Custom metrics are user-defined measurements that track specific business or technical performance indicators in software applications, such as user engagement, error rates, or operational efficiency. They extend beyond standard system metrics (like CPU usage) to provide tailored insights into application behavior and business outcomes. These metrics are typically collected, aggregated, and visualized using monitoring and observability tools to support data-driven decision-making.
Developers should learn and use custom metrics to monitor application-specific KPIs that standard metrics don't cover, such as conversion rates, feature usage, or custom error types, enabling proactive issue detection and performance optimization. They are essential in microservices architectures, e-commerce platforms, and SaaS applications where business logic requires tailored tracking for debugging, scaling, and improving user experience.