<ol>
<li>
Linux systems without systemd:
<ul>
<li>Some Linux systems do not use systemd, which is a software that manages various system tasks like starting programs and logging messages.</li>
<li>On these systems, the main tool for handling logs (records of system activity, errors, and messages) is a daemon called rsyslogd. A daemon is just a program that runs in the background.</li>
<li>Older Linux systems may use another program called syslogd (or just syslog) for logging instead of rsyslogd.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Linux systems with systemd:
<ul>
<li>Some newer Linux systems use systemd, and systemd has its own way of managing logs. It doesn’t rely on rsyslogd or syslogd.</li>
<li>With systemd, logs are stored in a special system called the systemd journal.</li>
<li>To view these logs on a system with systemd, you use the command <code>journalctl</code>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Key takeaway:
<ul>
<li>On older systems, logging is done by rsyslogd or syslogd.</li>
<li>On newer systems using systemd, logs are handled by the systemd journal, and you use <code>journalctl</code> to check them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
So, if you’re using a newer Linux system with systemd, you will likely use journalctl to view logs, whereas if you’re on an older system, rsyslogd or syslogd might be the tools to look at logs.

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Confused About Linux Logs? systemd vs. rsyslog Explained!