# Errors, traces, logs, metrics: when to reach for what

DevFeed: [Errors, traces, logs, metrics: when to reach for what](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/errors-traces-logs-metrics-when-to-reach-for-what-24097.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.sentry.io/errors-traces-logs-metrics-when-to-reach-for-what/>)

Author: Sergiy Dybskiy

Published: 2026-06-05T09:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Sentry Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/sentry-blog.md>)

Topics: [SIEM, Security, Observability](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/siem-security-observability.md>), [telemetry](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/telemetry.md>), [tracing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tracing.md>), [Logging](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/logging.md>), [debugging](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/debugging.md>)

Tags: [debugging](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/debugging.md>), [errors](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/errors.md>), [logs](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/logs.md>), [metrics](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/metrics.md>), [sentry](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sentry.md>), [telemetry](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/telemetry.md>), [traces](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/traces.md>)

## AI overview

This developer guide explains when to use errors, traces, logs, and metrics during application instrumentation and debugging. It distinguishes the question each telemetry signal answers and describes how the signals support different workflows.

## Source excerpt

Errors, traces, logs, and metrics overlap enough that it's hard to know which to use. Here's when to reach for each signal, with a real debugging walkthrough.