Implementing Error Tracking in Your Web Application

Choosing an Error Tracking Solution

Selecting the right error tracking tool depends on your needs, budget, and technical requirements. Consider factors like pricing, features, integrations, and ease of use.

Frontend Implementation

// Basic error tracking setup
window.addEventListener('error', function(event) {
    // Send error to tracking service
    fetch('/api/errors', {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
        body: JSON.stringify({
            message: event.error.message,
            stack: event.error.stack,
            url: window.location.href,
            userAgent: navigator.userAgent
        })
    });
});

For JavaScript error tracking, you'll typically add a script tag or install an SDK. Here's a basic implementation:

Backend Implementation (PHP)

<?php
// Set up error handler
set_error_handler(function($severity, $message, $file, $line) {
    $error = [
        'message' => $message,
        'file' => $file,
        'line' => $line,
        'severity' => $severity,
        'timestamp' => date('Y-m-d H:i:s'),
        'url' => $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] ?? ''
    ];
    
    // Send to error tracking service
    sendErrorToTrackingService($error);
});

For server-side error tracking in PHP applications:

Configuration Best Practices

Proper configuration is crucial for effective error tracking:

Configuration Checklist

• Set up proper error grouping and deduplication
• Configure sampling rates for high-traffic applications
• Implement user context and custom tags
• Set up appropriate alerting thresholds
• Configure data retention policies
• Test error reporting in staging environment