Best Practices for Logging in Swift

2023/08/19

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Logging etiquette is an important aspect of any complex codebase. When a project becomes too intricate, logs can provide valuable insights into the underlying cause of bugs. However, it is crucial to follow certain guidelines to ensure effective logging. The first step is to use a standardized logging mechanism provided by the system or language, such as Logger or Log in Swift. Avoid reinventing the wheel unless necessary. Once you have a logging mechanism in place, it's essential to determine what to log and when to log it. Choosing a suitable logging level is crucial, as it allows for easy filtering of logs. Common levels include error, warning, and notice. Additionally, it's important to write meaningful log messages that will remain helpful in the future. Finally, when it comes to logging thrown errors, a rule of thumb is to log any error that prompts the question, 'Should I log this?' This ensures comprehensive error tracking. By following these best practices, developers can effectively utilize logging to debug and understand their codebase.