Go Logging

Introduction to Go Logging

Logging is an essential feature in software development, enabling developers to track the behavior of their applications. In Go, the standard library provides the log package, which is simple and effective for basic logging. For more complex and structured logging needs, third-party libraries like zerolog offer advanced capabilities. This guide will explore both approaches, demonstrating how to implement logging in Go applications.

Using the Standard Log Package

The Go standard library includes a basic logging package named log. It is easy to use and suitable for simple logging tasks. Below is an example of how to use the log package.

In this example, the log.New function creates a new logger that writes to a file app.log. It includes date, time, and file information for each log entry.

Introduction to Zerolog

zerolog is a popular Go library for structured logging. It provides a more performant and flexible logging solution compared to the standard log package. Let's look at how to use zerolog in a Go application.

In this code example, zerolog is configured to write logs to the console. The log level and format can be easily adjusted to suit different needs. This flexibility makes zerolog an excellent choice for performance-critical applications requiring structured logs.

Choosing Between log and zerolog

The choice between using log and zerolog depends on the complexity and performance requirements of your application. For simple logging tasks, the standard log package is sufficient. However, if your application demands structured logging and improved performance, zerolog is highly recommended.

Consider factors like log format, required features, and scalability when choosing a logging framework for your Go application.