When logging when is an error fatal?

Question

In logging frameworks like log4j & log4net you have the ability to log various levels of information. Most of the levels have obvious intentions (such as what a \"Debug\" lo

Answer 1

To make this answer short and sweet, if your application crashes, I would consider that fatal. If you cannot connect to an important resource such as a database or a required service, that would be fatal. Overall, I would say that if it keeps your application from running correctly and affects the user, I would classify it as a fatal error.

But the most important way to classify errors is to consistently follow a rule of thumb such as rule 69 in C++ Coding Standards:

"Develop a practical, consistent, and rational error handling policy early in design, and then stick to it."