Metrics, Logs, and Traces
TLDR: Metrics, logs, and traces are the three core pillars of observability, providing essential insights into the performance, health, and behavior of applications and infrastructure. Metrics offer quantitative data, logs capture detailed event records, and traces map the flow of requests across distributed systems. Together, they enable proactive monitoring, efficient troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observability
Metrics are numerical measurements collected over time, such as Linux CPU usage, Linux memory consumption, or Linux response times. They provide high-level visibility into system performance and help set performance alerts when predefined performance thresholds are breached. Logs are detailed, timestamped records of events, offering granular information about errors, warnings, or system states. For example, application logs can capture user activity or API failures, aiding in debugging and root cause analysis.
Traces track the lifecycle of a request as it propagates through various components in a distributed system, making them indispensable for analyzing dependencies and identifying bottlenecks. Tools like Jaeger, OpenTelemetry, and Elastic APM integrate metrics, logs, and traces into unified observability platforms. By correlating data across these pillars, organizations achieve comprehensive visibility, ensuring reliable and high-performing systems.