Manual Log Review
Manual log review is the process of systematically examining log files generated by software systems, applications, or infrastructure to identify issues, anomalies, or security threats. It involves human analysts reading and interpreting log entries to understand system behavior, troubleshoot problems, and ensure operational integrity. This methodology is foundational for debugging, performance monitoring, and compliance auditing in IT environments.
Developers should learn manual log review for debugging complex issues where automated tools fail, such as intermittent bugs or subtle performance degradations that require contextual understanding. It is essential in security incident response to trace attack vectors and in compliance scenarios where detailed audit trails must be verified manually. This skill is particularly valuable in environments with limited logging automation or when investigating legacy systems.