exception tracking
/ɪkˈsep.ʃən ˌtræk.ɪŋ/noun
Exception tracking automatically records and groups errors that occur while software is running. It gives developers information to investigate an error's cause and impact.
Exception tracking showed the development team that the same error had become more frequent since the latest release.
While running, software can encounter an unexpected error, for example when an integration does not respond or data has an incorrect format. Such an error is called an exception. Exception tracking captures these errors and sends them to a central service. Developers can see the time, error message, location in the code and technical context about the request or device.
From individual error to useful report
An exception tracking service groups similar errors. A hundred identical errors therefore appear as one issue with information about frequency, affected users and versions. A stack trace shows the sequence of code calls preceding the error. Environment and release labels help determine whether a problem occurs only in production or started after a recent Glossary · In briefreleaseA release is an identifiable software version prepared to be made available to users. It brings together one or more checked changes.Read more.
The recorded context can contain sensitive data. The team needs to decide what is sent, filter personal information and restrict access to reports.
How it differs from logging and monitoring
Glossary · In briefloggingLogging records events while software is running. These records help developers follow a system's behaviour and investigate problems.Read more records events that software deliberately writes to a log. Exception tracking focuses more specifically on errors and adds ways to group, prioritize and associate them with a version. A logged error does not have to be an exception.
Glossary · In briefmonitoringMonitoring systematically tracks software, infrastructure or processes through measurements and checks. Deviations can trigger alerts so an administrator can investigate.Read more more broadly tracks whether a system is available and performing well, using response times, error rates and Glossary · In briefuptimeUptime is the time during which software, a server or another service is available and usable, usually expressed as a percentage of an agreed measurement period.Read more, for example. Exception tracking then helps investigate specific errors behind a deviation. It identifies technical problems and provides clues for diagnosis, but does not fix errors automatically.