How should expected exceptions be logged according to best practices?

Logging expected exceptions at the WARN or INFO level aligns with best practices for maintaining clarity and utility in log files. Incoming information from these levels helps to differentiate between critical issues and normal operational occurrences.

When an expected exception occurs, it typically signifies a known condition that the application can handle gracefully without causing severe disruption. Logging at the WARN level serves to alert developers or system administrators about potential issues that may warrant attention, while INFO level logging can capture the flow of the application, including useful details about the context in which these exceptions occur.

Additionally, using these levels ensures that the error doesn’t clutter the critical ERROR logs, which should be reserved for unexpected and severe issues that disrupt service. This practice facilitates troubleshooting and enhances monitoring, making it easier for developers to identify patterns or recurring problems without overwhelming them with noise from anticipated exceptions.

Options that suggest logging at ERROR or TRACE levels are less appropriate in this context. Logging expected exceptions at the ERROR level would misclassify them as critical issues, whereas TRACE may capture excessive detail that is unnecessary for routine exception handling.