httplog

Httplog is a term used for tools and libraries that capture and record HTTP traffic for debugging, monitoring, and auditing. It can refer to specific projects named httplog as well as to general concepts of logging HTTP requests and responses. In practice, httplog implementations wrap an HTTP client or server, or operate as a proxy, to log details as traffic passes through.

Typical features include recording the HTTP method, URL, query parameters, status code, headers, and body, along with timing information and error details. Some httplog tools provide human-readable output for quick debugging, while others emit structured data such as JSON to be ingested by log aggregators or security information and event management systems. Sensitive information is often redacted, and logs may support configurable levels or sampling to control data volume.

Usage patterns vary by language and architecture. Httplog can function as a client-side wrapper around HTTP libraries to automatically log outgoing requests, as a server-side middleware to log incoming requests and responses, or as an external proxy that sits between client and server. Deployment considerations include potential performance impact, log retention policies, secure transmission of log data, and access controls to protect sensitive information.

Because httplog is not a single standardized standard, the term may denote multiple projects with similar goals across different ecosystems. See also HTTP logging, request/response logging, and debugging proxies for related concepts and tools.