History vs. Log: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
History refers to the study and record of past events, while a log is a detailed record of occurrences, transactions, or observations made over a period of time.
Key Differences
History is a broad term encompassing the study, analysis, and record of past events, often related to human societies. Log, in contrast, is a systematic record of events, activities, or observations, usually kept contemporaneously.
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The focus of history is to understand and interpret past events, often in a broader context like cultural, political, or social movements. Log is more about maintaining a chronological account, often for specific purposes like tracking progress or activities.
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History often involves a narrative, providing interpretations or perspectives on past events. Logs are typically factual and devoid of interpretation, primarily consisting of date, time, and specific details of occurrences.
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Researchers and scholars extensively use history to gain insights into human behavior and societal changes over time. Logs are more utilitarian, used in various fields such as science, shipping, or technology to record sequential data.
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History can be subjective, influenced by the historian's perspective. In contrast, a log is meant to be an objective, accurate record of events as they happen, without personal bias or interpretation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Study and record of past events.
Detailed record of occurrences, transactions, or observations.
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Purpose
Understanding and interpreting past events.
Keeping a chronological account for specific purposes.
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Usage
Used for insights into human behavior and societal changes.
Used for tracking progress or activities in various fields.
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Subjectivity
Can be subjective, influenced by perspectives.
Intended to be objective and accurate.
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History and Log Definitions
History
The study of past events and times.
The history of ancient Rome fascinates many scholars.
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Log
A record of events or a day-to-day account.
The captain kept a detailed log of the ship's journey.
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History
A record or narrative of past events.
The book offered a detailed history of the Victorian era.
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Log
A systematic record of observations or activities.
The scientist maintained a log of all experiments conducted.
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History
The branch of knowledge dealing with past occurrences.
She pursued a degree in history to become a historian.
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Log
A chronological record of actions or events.
The flight log provided crucial information for the investigation.
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History
An account of what has happened in the life of a people or country.
The museum displayed the history of the indigenous tribes of the region.
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Log
An official record of the progress of a vehicle.
The truck driver submitted the travel log at the end of the route.
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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.
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History
A formal written account of related natural phenomena
A history of volcanoes.
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History
A record of a patient's general medical background
Took the patient's history.
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History
An established condition or pattern of behavior
An inmate with a history of mental illness and drug abuse.
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Log
A record of a ship's speed, its progress, and any shipboard events of navigational importance.
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History
The branch of knowledge that records and analyzes past events
"History has a long-range perspective" (Elizabeth Gurley Flynn).
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History
The past events relating to a particular thing
The history of their rivalry is full of intrigue.
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Log
A record of a vehicle's performance, as the flight record of an aircraft.
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History
The aggregate of past events or human affairs
Basic tools used throughout history.
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Log
A record, as of the performance of a machine or the progress of an undertaking
A computer log.
A trip log.
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History
(Slang) One that is no longer worth consideration
Why should we worry about him? He's history!.
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History
The aggregate of past events.
History repeats itself if we don’t learn from its mistakes.
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Log
To travel (a specified distance, time, or speed)
Logged 30,000 air miles in April.
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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.
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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
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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
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Log
The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
They walked across the stream on a fallen log.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Log
(nautical) A floating device, usually of wood, used in navigation to estimate the speed of a vessel through water.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Log
(mining) A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
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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.
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History
The aggregate of past events;
A critical time in the school's history
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History
The continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future;
All of human history
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Log
A chronological record of actions, performances, computer/network usage, etc.
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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
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Log
(computer science) Specifically, an append-only sequence of records written to file.
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History
The discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings;
He teaches Medieval history
History takes the long view
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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
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Log
Synonym of logarithm. Category:en:Functions
To multiply two numbers, add their logs.
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History
The collective events that have occurred in the past.
The history of aviation shows remarkable progress over time.
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Log
(sciences) A difference of one in the logarithm, usually in base 10; an order of magnitude.
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Log
(intransitive) To cut down trees in an area, harvesting and transporting the logs as wood.
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Log
(transitive) To make, to add an entry (or more) in a log or logbook.
To log the miles travelled by a ship
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Log
(transitive) To travel at a specified speed, as ascertained by a chip log.
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Log
An apparatus for measuring the rate of a ship's motion through the water.
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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.
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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.
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Log
A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
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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.
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Log
To record any event in a logbook, especially an event relating to the operation of a machine or device.
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Log
To engage in the business of cutting or transporting logs for timber; to get out logs.
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Log
A written record of messages sent or received;
They kept a log of all transmission by the radio station
An email log
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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
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Log
A written account of occurrences over a period of time.
The project manager updated the construction log daily.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a ship's log?
A ship's log is a detailed record of a ship's course, speed, and significant events during its voyage.
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Are logs used in computers?
Yes, logs in computers track system operations, errors, and other events.
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Can history be subjective?
Yes, history can be influenced by the historian's perspective and interpretation.
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Is history always about ancient times?
No, history covers all past events, even those in recent times.
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Does history always involve written records?
Mostly, but history can also be passed down orally or through artifacts.
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Is a log similar to a journal?
A log is similar to a journal but tends to be more systematic and factual.
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Can a log be used for legal purposes?
Yes, logs can serve as legal evidence due to their factual nature.
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Do historians create history?
Historians study, interpret, and write about history, but they don't create the events.
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Why are logs important in business?
Logs help track progress, transactions, and operational details in business.
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Are all logs written by hand?
No, logs can be digital or handwritten, depending on the context.
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Can anyone keep a log?
Yes, anyone can maintain a log for personal or professional purposes.
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Are historical events always accurate?
Historical accounts can vary and may not always be entirely accurate.
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Is history a science or an art?
History is considered a social science, but it also has elements of art in storytelling.
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What's the difference between a log and a diary?
A log is more systematic and factual, while a diary is personal and may include emotions and opinions.
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Do logs have to be detailed?
Logs are generally detailed to provide accurate accounts of events or activities.
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What's a flight log?
A flight log records details of aircraft flights, like duration, distance, and maintenance.
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How is history taught?
History is taught through narratives, analysis of sources, and discussions.
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Can history change over time?
Interpretations of history can change, but the actual events do not.
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What is the importance of history?
History helps us understand the past, learn from it, and shape the future.
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How do historians research?
Historians research by analyzing primary and secondary sources, and archival materials.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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