Server Logs
Server logs are text files or data streams generated by servers to record events, activities, and errors that occur during operation. They provide a detailed, chronological record of server behavior, including user requests, system performance metrics, security incidents, and application errors. Logs are essential for monitoring, debugging, and auditing server environments in real-time or retrospectively.
Developers should learn to work with server logs to diagnose issues, optimize performance, and ensure security compliance in production systems. For example, analyzing web server logs (like Apache or Nginx) helps identify traffic patterns and errors, while application logs (e.g., from Node.js or Java apps) are crucial for debugging code failures and tracking user interactions. Logs are also vital for compliance audits and incident response in regulated industries.