Ensuring that console logs are removed before code reaches production is critical for several reasons. First and foremost, console logs that are left in production code can inadvertently disclose sensitive information or internal logic that should remain private. Logs might contain debugging details that could expose system vulnerabilities or provide attackers with insights into application behavior.

Another consideration is performance. While console logs in themselves do not directly slow down code, excessive logging in production can lead to a cluttered console, making it challenging for developers to identify actual issues. Moreover, if logging is used extensively to print to the console during runtime, it may add unnecessary overhead in terms of I/O operations, especially in scenarios involving high traffic.

From a professional perspective, clean code is a hallmark of quality and maintainability. Leaving console logs can appear unprofessional, suggesting a lack of thoroughness in the final code review and deployment stages. It is important to instill best practices, such as using proper logging tools and levels (info, warn, error) that can easily be toggled for production environments, instead of relying on arbitrary console logs for debugging.

Ultimately, while console logs can be immensely beneficial during development, it’s crucial to ensure they are stripped from production builds. This can often be automated with build tools or linters as part of a CI/CD pipeline, ensuring no console log slips through a manual check. This practice upholds security, performance, and professionalism in software development.