.log files

Common questions

How do I open a .log file?

On Windows use Notepad (built in); on macOS use Console (built in); on Linux use Text Editor (built in). A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom.

What is a .log file?

Log File. Log files are ordinary text written by applications and operating systems as they run, and they are the first thing to read when something breaks. Any editor opens one, though active logs grow continuously and huge ones are better tailed than loaded.

Can I convert a .log file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .txt or .csv, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

Related pages

• .csv — Comma-Separated Values A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange form
• .json — JavaScript Object Notation The standard text format for structured data on the web and in config files.
• .xml — Extensible Markup Language A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise syst
• .yaml — YAML Data File An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whites
• .torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the
• .dat — Generic Data File A meaningless extension — .dat says only that some program stored data here.
• .vcf — vCard Contact File One or more contacts as plain text — the standard way to move an address book.
• .sql — SQL Script A text file of database commands — often a full database dump.
• .ics — iCalendar Event A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format.
• .sqlite — SQLite Database A complete relational database in a single file — the most deployed database in
• .db — Generic Database File An extension many programs use for their data — it does not identify one format.
• .bin — Binary File Raw binary data — most often a disc image paired with a .cue, or device firmware