logMessage

LogMessage is a generic term used to describe a function or method that records a message into a logging system. It is commonly found in many programming environments and libraries. The function typically takes at least two arguments: a message string and a severity level (for example, INFO, WARNING, ERROR). Many implementations also support optional parameters such as an exception object, a timestamp, a logger name or tag, and a context map of key–value pairs that provide additional metadata about the event.

When invoked, logMessage writes a log entry to one or more outputs, such as the console, a file, or a centralized logging service. Output may be formatted according to a configured pattern and subject to a global log level threshold that filters messages below a certain severity. Some frameworks offer asynchronous or buffered logging to reduce performance impact.

Design considerations include thread safety, the choice between structured logging and plain text, and how to handle sensitive information. Structured logging captures fields in a machine-readable form (for example JSON), which facilitates searching and analysis but may require schema discipline. Log rotation and retention policies help manage disk usage.

Usage notes: avoid logging sensitive data; include enough context to diagnose issues; prefer using log levels consistently and avoiding log spam. Alternatives and variants exist across languages; for example, log, info, or error helpers may perform equivalent tasks with differing naming.

See also: logging framework, log level, structured logging, log rotation.