In log management, what defines a log?

A log is considered a breakdown of each step in an event in detail. Logs provide a granular view of activities within a system or application, capturing critical information related to events as they transpire. This level of detail enables developers and operators to trace the sequence of actions taken, examine them closely for troubleshooting, and analyze the full context of errors or performance issues. A detailed log can include timestamps, event messages, severity levels, and contextual data that help in diagnosing problems or understanding system behavior.

Other options may offer insights into specific aspects of logging but do not encompass the complete definition. For instance, a complete span of code showing latency and errors focuses only on performance metrics, while an easy-to-read summary simplifies complex data and may gloss over important details. A snapshot of a system's state captures a specific moment but lacks the narrative of actions that led to that state, making it insufficient for comprehensive event analysis. Hence, the most defining characteristic of a log is its detailed breakdown of the steps involved in an event.