Difference: console.log vs console.info | What to Use console.log() or console.info()

 Understanding console.log() and console.info() in Node.js

console.log(): This is the base method to log any message, warnings, or errors. In most console environments, plain text messages are shown and, besides that, a timestamp is indicated, which means the "log" severity level.

console.info(): This should be used for logging informative messages that indicate events or actions of higher importance in the application. Some console settings display messages such as these differently to give them more prominence. They are prefixed by a timestamp and the severity level, "info".

Node.js Console Logging: When to Use `console.log()` vs. `console.info()`

Both functions log messages, but `console.info()` is mostly used in cases where one would want to light up or give clarity to the information one is conveying. `console.log()` would act as the Swiss Army knife of sorts when it comes to general logging.

In theory, both console.log() and console.info() in Node.js should log information to the console. However, they have different intentions and ways of operations. They include:

console.log()

• Intent: Logs general information, warnings, errors or any type of arbitrary message.
• Format: This will log messages raw, timestamped and prefixed with the log level.
• Example Usage:

console.log('Just some general log message.');

• Customization: It takes any number of arguments and string interpolation for formatting messages.

  const name = 'John';
  
  const age = 30;
  
  console.log(`Name: ${name}, Age: ${age}`);
  
  

console.info()

• Purpose: Specifically to log informational messages that point to very important events/actions.
• Output Format: This also prints to the console but it may be styled differently depending upon the console environment, typically prefixed with a timestamp and the severity level of "info".
• Example Usage:

console.info('Info message: User logged in.');

• Use Case: It can be used for stamping important events against the application flow or for informative messages that are different from other logs.

However, logging to the console using console.info() will work in most Node.js environments but may look cosmetically different under some console settings.

Semantic Differences

• Semantic Clarity: This would imply using console.log() for general logging. Use console.info() for information.
• Styling: In some console environments, console.info() messages can be styled differently.
• Best Practices: Semantic clarity for readability of code and easy maintainability.

That's to say, knowing the purposes and possible differences that might be visual about console output does help in using the right method for specific logging needs in a Node.js application.