Hey devs! We all love console.log(), but there are other ways to debug in JavaScript. Let's level up!
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1. console.info()
Use this for general info messages.
console.info("Here's some info");
Note: Mostly interchangeable with console.log(). So why use it? Let's say your company is hiring and want to call attention of devs. You can use console.info(). Then, if you use automation to clean up the console.logs to avoid putting them in production, you can leave the console.info() intact.
This is how it looks on Chrome.
Exactly the same as log.
But in some versions or other browsers the message may receive special formatting, such as a small "i" icon next to it. (Mozilla).
2. console.debug()
Perfect for detailed debugging.
console.debug("Debugging details here");
This is how it looks on Chrome. Note that you'll only see it if you choose "All levels" of console log:
Note: Since you can choose which ones to show in the level dropdown in your console tab, it's useful to have details as console.debug() instead of console.log(). Then you can show them only when you need them.
3. console.warn()
Highlight warnings.
console.warn("This is a warning!");
This is how it looks on Chrome:
Note: Calls a bunch of attention. Use it only when needed. Say there's a condition that you expect being true but shouldn't break if it isn't. You can use console.warn() to let you inspect it further.
4. console.error()
For errors and issues.
console.error("Something went wrong!");
This is how it looks on Chrome:
Note: If warn calls a bunch of attention, error calls two bunches. Avoid it, except when absolutely needed. Perfect for try { //something } catch (error) { console.error(error) }.
5. console.table()
Display data in a table format.
console.table([{ name: "Alice", age: 30 }, { name: "Bob", age: 25 }]);
How it looks on Chrome:
Or with an Object instead of an Array:
Note: This is one of my favorites. I like using it to debug all the variables I passed to a function. E.g. console.table(props).
6. console.group()
Organize your logs.
console.group("User Data");
console.log("User: Alice");
console.log("Age: 30");
console.groupEnd();
How it looks on Chrome:
⭐ Bonus: console.groupCollapsible()
console.groupCollapsed("User Data");
console.log("User: Alice");
console.log("Age: 30");
console.groupEnd();
How it looks on Chrome:
Note: Isn't it elegant?
7. console.time()
Measure execution time.
console.time("Timer");
someFunction();
console.timeEnd("Timer");
How it looks on Chrome:
Note: Super useful.
Stop spamming console.log() and start using these powerful methods to debug smarter!
Happy codingdebugging! 🚀
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Top comments (6)
Hey, thanks for sharing! I'd really like to know your opinion about when should we use each, and what each output looks like. Also, I wonder, is using these functions considered "non spammy"?
Again, thanks for sharing! :)
My opinion... Console (logs or other!) are for development, not production. One use in production I can see is to talk with devs. E.g. when your company is hiring. There's one other that became my favorite and I forgot putting on the list which is groupCollapsed().
I second this. Clear use cases and examples would be awesome! Thanks for the article.
Nice! Got it. I will try to make it more clear.
It looks so much better, great job
Thanks for the info! very informative!