What Is Data Logging?

Date First Published: 2nd January 2024

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Software

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 4/10

CONTENTS

Data Mining Techniques
Data Mining Process
Advantages and Disadvantages Of Data Mining

Learn about what data logging is in this article.

Data logging is the process of capturing and storing data over time to analyse activity, trends, and predict future events. Data can be collected and stored manually, but data is often collected and stored using a data logger, an electronic sensor device with a microprocessor and a memory to store the data. Data loggers are more suitable for large-scale monitoring and can automate the whole process.

Uses Of Data Logging

Data logging is used to monitor changes in pressure, temperature, sound frequencies, and light intensities where accuracy is necessary, but human observation is not practical. They save sending someone to take measurements in a remote location and enable much higher data accuracy than manual recording, providing higher quality data. Data logging covers a wide range of activities, purposes, and environments.

For example, data loggers can store processor temperature and memory usage over time, which can be used to identify system performance. The results are displayed in the form of charts, allowing users to spot trends. This also allows system administrators to analyse system information to identify suspicious activities. Most data loggers are designed to collect very specific information in different environments.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Data Logging

The advantages of data logging are:

It is an efficient way to gather large volumes of performance, environmental or process data over time. Data logging can be carried out 24/7 and is often more accurate as there is no risk of human errors.
Processes and conditions can be measured, documented, analysed and validated across different timeframes without constant supervision or input.
Interfaces are usually reasonably user-friendly and most data loggers only need to be configured rather than programmed.

The disadvantages of data logging are:

The components used for data loggers to record the data can be expensive, even for simple tasks.
If the data logging equipment breaks down or malfunctions, some data could be lost or not recorded.
Sensors must be carefully calibrated or else they could be taking the wrong readings.