Renaming log files by time of day refers to the practice of adding timestamps, such as hour and minute, to log filenames. This differs from simple chronological naming (like 'log1', 'log2') by explicitly reflecting the exact time the log data was generated or rolled over, rather than just the sequence. It's achieved programmatically by scripts or logging utilities that inject the current time into the filename during creation or rotation.

For instance, server logs might rotate hourly, generating filenames like appserver_14-00.log for logs generated at 2 PM. Similarly, batch data processing applications might output files named ingest_091530.log (9:15:30 AM) after each job run, enabling immediate identification of logs related to specific processing windows. DevOps tools (like logrotate) and scripting languages (Python, Bash) are commonly used to implement this naming scheme.

This practice significantly aids troubleshooting by allowing rapid correlation of logs to specific events or issues occurring at known times. However, limitations include potential filename collision if logs are rolled over too frequently within the same second, and increased complexity in filename management. While ethical implications are minimal, consistent naming conventions are crucial for operational transparency and effective incident response. Future trends see this being integrated more seamlessly into automated observability platforms.