Log files are text documents that track every request for information from the server. Think of it as a server side record of all the website clicks/requests made by the user.
For someone who has never seen it - THIS is what a log file looks like and they are HUGE. Especially since every single click/interaction is recorded there are millions and millions of records for a fairly popular website.
What you want to do with this information?
You need to get the information in the log files into a table format with only the segment of information you need.
What you will need
1. A free SQL tool - The most popular of which is Toad, download here
2. Login information to the database/datawarehouse that hosts the log files. Your company should be able to provide you with that information.
3. Basic knowledge of SQL, which can be learnt here at the W3 school.
If you don't have time to learn SQL queries. If you want a quick fix, or a data dump. Try this, though I should warn you it is not recommended.
Select * from tablename
and export the whole table into Excel or any other format you require. This is the easiest way to get a dump of data, from which you analysts can find your way (i hope!)
Click here for more of a technical know how into when and how to use log file analysis
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