MySQL is a widely used open-source relational database that benefits from active community support and is cost-free, making it a popular choice for many applications. Efficient monitoring and logging of MySQL databases are essential for maintaining performance and security, especially in identifying and diagnosing issues like slow queries, deadlocks, and aborted connections. Key logs to monitor include the General Query Log, Slow Query Log, Error Log, Binary Log, and Relay Log, each serving distinct purposes such as debugging, performance optimization, and replicating data changes. While enabling these logs can enhance the understanding of database operations, automated monitoring tools are recommended to handle the potentially vast amounts of log data, which can aid in pinpointing issues and alerting administrators to suspicious activities. Additionally, log rotation and management practices are crucial to prevent logs from consuming excessive disk space and to facilitate easier troubleshooting. Understanding these logging mechanisms can significantly improve database management and resilience as applications scale.