15 best C++ Logging Libraries

C++ Logging Libraries help manage errors when running on the server side. It helps track, analyze, & manage real-time errors and builds high-quality code. 

Here is the list of best C++ logging libraries to help debug, understand the micro-level working of a program, track errors and status messages created during runtime, see the results of each independent process, and more. 

Benefits of Logging Libraries

• Multithreading/async writing to log files.
• Support of multiple log levels and types.
• Configuration and trace filtering from config file. 
• Help of log rotation and time stamping.
• Singleton Class and thread safety in a multithreading environment.
• Good documentation and library support itself.

Check out our recommendation of the 15 best C++ Logging libraries available for developers:

spdlog

• spdlog optimizes for speed and has low memory overhead.   
• spdlog supports various logging backends, including stdout, files, and rotating files.   
• It allows you to choose the appropriate backend based on your logging needs.   

glog   

• Google's glog is a C++ implementation of logging.   
• It provides advanced features for logging messages from C++ code.  
• It offers features such as logging levels and log message formatting.   

easyloggingpp 

• The design aims to be lightweight and have minimal impact on performance.   
• Include it in your C++ code without needing a separate compilation.   
• It allows you to customize logging behavior through configuration files. 

NanoLog   

• NanoLog is a C++ library used in Logging applications.    
• NanoLog has no bugs, no vulnerabilities, and medium support.   
• Nanolog is a performant nanosecond scale logging system for C++.  

palanteer

• Palanteer is a C++ library used in Performance Management, Monitoring applications.   
• Palanteer is a set of efficient tools to improve software quality.   
• It has no vulnerabilities, and it has a medium support.   

plog   

• The designers of Plog designed it to be small but flexible.   
• It prefers templates to interface inheritance.   
• It has no vulnerabilities or bugs.  

log4cplus   

• log4cplus is a C++ library used in Logging applications.   
• It is simple to use C++17 logging API, providing thread-safe, flexible, and granular control.  
• The Java log4j API models it.   

g3log

• G3log aims to provide high-performance logging. It is well-suited for real-time and low-latency systems.   
• G3log provides various configuration options. It allows developers to customize logging behavior according to their needs.   
• The designers of G3log have made it thread-safe. It enables many threads to log without causing data corruption or undefined behavior.   

quill 

• Quill allows users to create and edit content using word processor tools like bold text.   
• Developers can customize Quill with its modular architecture.   
• It extends its functionality by adding or removing modules.   

reckless   

• Reckless is a C++ library used in Logging applications.   
• Reckless has no bugs, it has no vulnerabilities, and it has low support.   
• Reckless is a low-latency, high-throughput logging library.   

log4z

• The designers of Log4z intended it to be lightweight and efficient. It makes it suitable for high-performance applications.   
• The library provides an easy-to-use API for logging.   
• The library supports log rolling and log file management.   

binlog  

• Logging events or data in binary is a technique that uses something other than readable text.   
• Binary logs are efficient in terms of storage.   
• It can be useful when logging large volumes of data is important. 

timemory

• You can add a set of macros and functions to C++.   
• TiMemory provides timers to measure the wall clock, CPU, and user time.   
• It can track memory allocations and deallocations.  

tracetool  

• People use TraceTool for software debugging and tracing purposes.    
• Developers can use it to log and visualize data while running their applications.    
• The library is especially helpful in debugging complex software systems.  

lwlog: 

• The term "lwlog" can refer to a logging library or a specific implementation in a project or codebase. 
• "lwlog" is a custom logging library or a framework specific to a project. 
• How it works and is used depends on how it is implemented and documented in that project

FAQ:   

1. What are logging libraries, and why are they important?   

Logging libraries are software tools or frameworks. It provides developers with an efficient and standardized way to log messages. They are important in software development, especially in these areas: 

• Debugging and Troubleshooting   
• Monitoring and Maintenance   
• Auditing and Compliance   
• Historical Analysis   
• Security   
• Performance Optimization   

2. How do I create a logging module for my project?   

A logging module helps save important details, errors, and events for your project. It can be invaluable for debugging and monitoring the application's behavior. Python provides a built-in logging module that you can use. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a basic logging module for your project:   

• Import the logging module: To begin, import the logging module into your script or module.   
• Set up logging: Choose how to log messages and configure logging settings. You can do this in the main part of your script or a separate configuration file.   

3. What does Jakarta Commons Logging do, and how can you use it?   

Jakarta Commons Logging (JCL) is a logging framework for Java applications. The Apache Commons project developed it. It provides a simple and consistent logging interface. This can work with logging tools, like Log4j, java.util.logging, and more.  

Here's how you can use Jakarta Commons Logging in your Java application:   

• Include Jakarta Commons Logging dependency   
• Import and use the logging classes   
• Create logger instances   
• Log messages   
• Configure the logging implementation   
• Switching logging implementations   

4. Can I configure various log levels in a logging library?   

Yes, in most logging libraries, you can configure various log levels. You can use log levels to group log messages by how serious, important, or meaningful they are. The most common log levels are:   

• DEBUG   
• INFO   
• WARNING   
• ERROR   
• CRITICAL   

5. How do I produce meaningful log messages that aid in debugging software issues?   

Producing meaningful log messages is crucial for effective debugging of software issues. Well-structured and informative logs can reduce the time and effort required to diagnose. Here are some guidelines to help you create meaningful log messages:   

• Be Clear and Specific   
• Use Log Levels   
• Include Timestamps   
• Add Contextual Information   
• Stack Traces   
• Consistency   

6. Do you know of any free logging tools I can use with my project?   

Here are some recommendations:   

• Log4j   
• Logback   
• Logstash   
• Fluentd   
• Sentry   
• Graylog   

7. How do you create a Pino logger instance for your projects?   

To create a Pino logger instance for your projects, you'll need to follow these steps:   

• Install Pino   
• Import Pino   
• Create the logger instance   
• Use the logger   
• Customize the logger