Using Python's logging module for application monitoring
Logging is a more sophisticated alternative to print statements for recording information about program execution. Python's logging module provides a flexible framework for emitting log messages from Python programs. Key components include: loggers (objects used to emit log messages), handlers (send log messages to destinations like files, console, etc.), filters (provide finer control over which log records are output), and formatters (specify the layout of log messages). Log messages have severity levels: DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, and CRITICAL. Logging configuration can be done programmatically or through configuration files. Best practices include: using appropriate log levels, including contextual information, avoiding sensitive data in logs, and using structured logging for machine processing. Proper logging is essential for monitoring applications in production, debugging issues, and understanding application behavior.