Logs, Metrics, Traces: Which Tool?
Choose logs, metrics, or traces based on the diagnostic question.
Metrics, logs, or traces? Start with the question, then choose the telemetry. A teammate says: 'Just grep logs until we see something.' Your line Let's first use metrics to confirm scope and traces to locate the slow path, then use logs on that slice. Random log reading feels active but rarely narrows the incident. It sequences telemetry from broad signal to targeted detail. What are metrics best at? Showing aggregate behavior over time. Examples: request rate, error rate, p95 latency, queue depth, saturation. What are traces best at? Showing request path and span timing across services. Use them when the…
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