error_log WordPress - PHP

Introduction

Error logging is an essential function that helps programmers identify errors or bugs in their WordPress PHP code. The error_log() function in PHP is one method of logging errors in your WordPress PHP code. This function takes the error message as an argument and writes it to a file or sends it to a specified email address.

Syntax

bool error_log ( string $message [, int $message_type = 0 [, string $destination [, string $extra_headers ]]] )

Message Types

The second argument of the error_log() function is an optional message type. It determines how the error message is handled. There are three possible message types:

1. 0 (default) - The error message is sent to the server's default error handling system. This is typically the web server's error log or the PHP error log.
2. 1 - The error message is sent to the email specified in the third argument as the destination.
3. 3 - The error message is sent to a file specified in the third argument as the destination.

Destination

The third argument of the error_log() function is the destination where the error message is sent. This argument accepts a file path, an email address, or a URL.

File Path

If the message type is 3, the third argument should be a file path where the error message will be written. For example:

error_log('Error message', 3, '/path/to/error.log');

This will write the error message to the file '/path/to/error.log'.

Email

If the message type is 1, the third argument should be an email address where the error message will be sent. For example:

error_log('Error message', 1, 'admin@example.com');

This will send the error message to the email address 'admin@example.com'.

URL

If the destination is a URL, the message will be sent via HTTP POST request. For example:

error_log('Error message', 3, 'https://example.com/error-handler.php');

This will send the error message to the URL 'https://example.com/error-handler.php' using HTTP POST request.

Conclusion

Error logging is a critical function for the development and maintenance of WordPress PHP code. error_log() function in PHP is one of the ways that programmers can log error messages. This function provides flexibility in how and where error messages are logged.