Asp net web application in azure how to log errors

Introduction

ASP.NET is a popular programming language used for developing web applications. In this article, we will explore how to log errors in an ASP.NET web application hosted on Azure. Logging errors is crucial for identifying and fixing issues in the application, as well as monitoring its performance.

Setting up Azure Application Insights

One of the easiest ways to log errors in an ASP.NET web application hosted on Azure is by using Azure Application Insights. Application Insights is a powerful monitoring and diagnostics service provided by Azure. It allows you to track the performance and usage of your application, as well as log exceptions and errors.

To set up Application Insights for your ASP.NET web application, follow these steps:

1. Create an Application Insights resource in the Azure portal.
2. Retrieve the instrumentation key for your Application Insights resource.
3. Add the Application Insights SDK to your ASP.NET web application.
4. Configure your ASP.NET web application to use the Application Insights SDK.

Once you have set up Application Insights, you can start logging errors in your ASP.NET web application.

Logging Errors in ASP.NET

ASP.NET provides several ways to log errors in your web application. Let's explore some of the common techniques:

1. Using the Global.asax file

The Global.asax file is a special file in an ASP.NET web application that contains event handlers for application-level events. You can use the Application_Error event handler to log errors globally in your application.

protected void Application_Error(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    Exception exception = Server.GetLastError();
    // Log the exception using your preferred logging mechanism
}

2. Using a custom error handler

You can create a custom error handler in your ASP.NET web application to handle and log errors. This approach gives you more control over how errors are logged and displayed to the user.

public class CustomErrorHandler : IHttpModule
{
    public void Init(HttpApplication context)
    {
        context.Error += new EventHandler(ErrorHandler);
    }

    private void ErrorHandler(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        Exception exception = HttpContext.Current.Server.GetLastError();
        // Log the exception using your preferred logging mechanism
    }

    public void Dispose()
    {
    }
}

To use the custom error handler, register it in the web.config file:

Conclusion

Logging errors in an ASP.NET web application hosted on Azure is essential for maintaining the application's stability and performance. By setting up Azure Application Insights and using techniques like the Global.asax file or a custom error handler, you can effectively log errors and ensure timely resolution of issues.