History vs. Log: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 20, 2024
History is a record of past events typically focused on human affairs, while a log is a detailed, chronological record of activities, often used for tracking specific operations.
Key Differences
History is a comprehensive narrative of past events, usually focusing on significant occurrences in human civilization, including cultural, social, political, and economic developments. It is often presented as a coherent story or analysis, crafted from various sources such as documents, artifacts, and testimonies. A log, on the other hand, is a detailed, chronological record of specific activities or operations. Logs are commonly used in fields such as navigation, computing, and maintenance to track actions, changes, and events in a systematic manner.
In terms of usage, history is often studied to gain insights into human behavior, societal changes, and the causes and effects of major events. Logs are used to monitor ongoing processes, troubleshoot issues, and maintain records for future reference or regulatory compliance.
History is generally broader and interpretative, aiming to construct a narrative that explains the context and significance of events. Logs are narrower and more technical, providing precise, time-stamped entries to record occurrences as they happen.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Record of past events and their analysis
Detailed, chronological record of activities
Purpose
To understand and interpret past events
To track and monitor specific operations
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Scope
Broad, covering extensive time periods
Narrow, focusing on specific activities
Nature
Narrative, analytical, interpretive
Factual, systematic, precise
Common Usage
Historical studies, education
Navigation, computing, maintenance
Sources
Documents, artifacts, testimonies
Direct entries, timestamps
Perspective
Multiple viewpoints, context-rich
Objective, straightforward
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History and Log Definitions
History
A narrative describing past events and their impact.
The history of computing outlines the development of technology.
Log
A journal recording specific details and times.
Pilots must maintain a flight log for each journey.
History
An academic discipline analyzing past occurrences.
She majored in history to understand ancient civilizations.
Log
A usually large section of a trunk or limb of a fallen or felled tree.
History
A chronological record of events, as of the life or development of a people or institution, often including an explanation of or commentary on those events
A history of the Vikings.
Log
A long thick section of trimmed, unhewn timber.
History
A formal written account of related natural phenomena
A history of volcanoes.
Log
A device trailed from a ship to determine its speed through the water.
History
A record of a patient's general medical background
Took the patient's history.
Log
A record of a ship's speed, its progress, and any shipboard events of navigational importance.
History
An established condition or pattern of behavior
An inmate with a history of mental illness and drug abuse.
Log
The book in which this record is kept.
History
The branch of knowledge that records and analyzes past events
"History has a long-range perspective" (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn).
Log
A record of a vehicle's performance, as the flight record of an aircraft.
History
The past events relating to a particular thing
The history of their rivalry is full of intrigue.
Log
A record, as of the performance of a machine or the progress of an undertaking
A computer log.
A trip log.
History
The aggregate of past events or human affairs
Basic tools used throughout history.
Log
A logarithm.
History
An interesting past
A house with history.
Log
To cut down, trim, and haul the timber of (a piece of land).
History
Something that belongs to the past
Their troubles are history now.
Log
To cut (timber) into unhewn sections.
History
(Slang) One that is no longer worth consideration
Why should we worry about him? He's history!.
Log
To enter in a record, as of a ship or an aircraft.
History
A drama based on historical events
The histories of Shakespeare.
Log
To travel (a specified distance, time, or speed)
Logged 30,000 air miles in April.
History
The aggregate of past events.
History repeats itself if we don’t learn from its mistakes.
Log
To spend or accumulate (time)
Had logged 25 years with the company.
History
The branch of knowledge that studies the past; the assessment of notable events.
He teaches history at the university.
History will not look kindly on these tyrants.
He dreams of an invention that will make history.
Log
To cut down, trim, and haul timber.
History
The portion of the past that is known and recorded by this field of study, as opposed to all earlier and unknown times that preceded it (prehistory).
In all of human history and prehistory
In all recorded history
Log
The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
They walked across the stream on a fallen log.
History
(countable) A set of events involving an entity.
What is your medical history?
The family's history includes events best forgotten.
A long and sordid history
Log
Any bulky piece as cut from the above, used as timber, fuel etc.
History
(countable) A record or narrative description of past events.
I really enjoyed Shakespeare's tragedies more than his histories.
A short history of post-Columbian colonization
Log
Anything shaped like a log; a cylinder.
History
A list of past and continuing medical conditions of an individual or family.
A personal medical history is required for the insurance policy.
He has a history of cancer in his family.
This diagnosis is usually based solely on the history and physical examination, although laboratory tests are occasionally also obtained.
Log
(nautical) A floating device, usually of wood, used in navigation to estimate the speed of a vessel through water.
History
A record of previous user events, especially of visited web pages in a browser.
I visited a great site yesterday but forgot the URL. Luckily, I didn't clear my history.
Log
(figuratively) A blockhead; a very stupid person.
History
(informal) Something that no longer exists or is no longer relevant.
I told him that if he doesn't get his act together, he's history.
Log
A heavy longboard.
History
(uncountable) Shared experience or interaction.
There is too much history between them for them to split up now.
He has had a lot of history with the police.
Log
(figuratively) A rolled cake with filling.
History
(obsolete) To narrate or record.
Log
(mining) A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
History
A learning or knowing by inquiry; the knowledge of facts and events, so obtained; hence, a formal statement of such information; a narrative; a description; a written record; as, the history of a patient's case; the history of a legislative bill.
Log
A chronological record of actions, performances, computer/network usage, etc.
History
A systematic, written account of events, particularly of those affecting a nation, institution, science, or art, and usually connected with a philosophical explanation of their causes; a true story, as distinguished from a romance; - distinguished also from annals, which relate simply the facts and events of each year, in strict chronological order; from biography, which is the record of an individual's life; and from memoir, which is history composed from personal experience, observation, and memory.
Histories are as perfect as the historian is wise, and is gifted with an eye and a soul.
For aught that I could ever read,Could ever hear by tale or history.
What histories of toil could I declare!
Justly Cæsar scorns the poet's lays;It is to history he trusts for praise.
No more yet of this;For 't is a chronicle of day by day,Not a relation for a breakfast.
Many glorious examples in the annals of our religion.
Log
(computer science) Specifically, an append-only sequence of records written to file.
History
To narrate or record.
Log
A Hebrew unit of liquid volume (about 3{{nbsp}}liter).
History
The aggregate of past events;
A critical time in the school's history
Log
Synonym of logarithm. Category:en:Functions
To multiply two numbers, add their logs.
History
The continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future;
All of human history
Log
(sciences) A difference of one in the logarithm, usually in base 10; an order of magnitude.
History
A record or narrative description of past events;
A history of France
He gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president
The story of exposure to lead
Log
(transitive) To cut trees into logs.
History
The discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings;
He teaches Medieval history
History takes the long view
Log
(transitive) To cut down (trees).
History
All that is remembered of the past as preserved in writing; a body of knowledge;
The dawn of recorded history
From the beginning of history
Log
(intransitive) To cut down trees in an area, harvesting and transporting the logs as wood.
History
The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.
The history of the Roman Empire reveals its rise and fall.
Log
(transitive) To make, to add an entry (or more) in a log or logbook.
To log the miles travelled by a ship
History
A chronological record of significant events.
The history of World War II is detailed in many books.
Log
(transitive) To travel (a distance) as shown in a logbook.
History
The collective past of a particular subject or entity.
The history of medicine shows significant advancements over centuries.
Log
(transitive) To travel at a specified speed, as ascertained by a chip log.
Log
A Hebrew measure of liquids, containing 2.37 gills.
Log
A bulky piece of wood which has not been shaped by hewing or sawing.
Log
An apparatus for measuring the rate of a ship's motion through the water.
Log
The record of the rate of speed of a ship or airplane, and of the course of its progress for the duration of a voyage; also, the full nautical record of a ship's cruise or voyage; a log slate; a log book.
Log
A record and tabulated statement of the person(s) operating, operations performed, resources consumed, and the work done by any machine, device, or system.
Log
A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
Log
A record of activities performed within a program, or changes in a database or file on a computer, and typically kept as a file in the computer.
Log
To enter in a ship's log book; as, to log the miles run.
Log
To record any event in a logbook, especially an event relating to the operation of a machine or device.
Log
To engage in the business of cutting or transporting logs for timber; to get out logs.
Log
To move to and fro; to rock.
Log
A segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
Log
Large log at the back of a hearth fire
Log
The exponent required to produce a given number
Log
A written record of messages sent or received;
They kept a log of all transmission by the radio station
An email log
Log
A written record of events on a voyage (of a ship or plane)
Log
Measuring instrument that consists of a float that trails from a ship by a knotted line in order to measure the ship's speed through the water
Log
Enter into a log, as on ships and planes
Log
Cut lumber, as in woods and forests
Log
A detailed record of activities or events.
The ship's log showed their course and speed every hour.
Log
A systematic record used in computing or engineering.
The server log helps identify system errors and performance issues.
Log
A chronological documentation of actions taken.
Maintenance logs track repairs and upkeep of machinery.
Log
A method to monitor and report on ongoing processes.
The project log ensured all tasks were completed on schedule.
FAQs
What is a log?
A log is a detailed, chronological record of specific activities or events.
What are the sources for history?
Sources for history include documents, artifacts, and testimonies from the past.
How is a log used?
Logs are used to track, monitor, and document specific operations or processes.
What are the sources for a log?
Sources for a log are direct entries made during the occurrence of events, often with timestamps.
What is the purpose of studying history?
The purpose of studying history is to understand past events and their impact on the present and future.
What is history?
History is the study and record of past events, focusing on human activities and developments.
Can history include multiple perspectives?
Yes, history often includes multiple viewpoints to provide a comprehensive understanding.
How is history used?
History is used to understand and interpret the past, providing context for present and future events.
Is a log subjective or objective?
A log is objective, providing factual, precise records of events.
Is history broad or narrow in scope?
History is broad, covering extensive time periods and various perspectives.
What is the purpose of keeping a log?
The purpose of keeping a log is to maintain accurate records for monitoring and accountability.
How is history documented?
History is documented through narratives, books, articles, and academic research.
Is a log broad or narrow in scope?
A log is narrow, focusing on specific activities or operations.
Does a log provide analysis?
No, a log provides raw data and factual entries without interpretation.
What fields commonly use history?
History is commonly used in education, research, and cultural studies.
Does history provide analysis?
Yes, history provides analysis and interpretation of past events.
Can history change over time?
Yes, interpretations of history can change as new evidence emerges.
How is a log documented?
A log is documented through systematic, chronological entries with specific details.
Can a log change over time?
No, a log is a fixed record of events as they occurred.
What fields commonly use logs?
Logs are commonly used in navigation, computing, engineering, and maintenance.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
