August 2016 Summaries

Mule is an open source Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) that enables existing systems to communicate with each other regardless of transport protocol or location, acting as a transit system for connecting services and applications. It is Java based and supports the New Relic APM Java agent from version 3.4 up to the latest version, 3.8. Mule ESB provides an environment where applications can run, called "flows," which can perform various duties such as acting as an intermediary between systems, providing database access, handling HTTP requests, and interacting with data stores, external systems, and web services. The New Relic APM Java agent allows users to see flows run through their entire life cycle, view interactions with data stores, and see external calls and cross application tracing. It provides insight into the behavior and performance of flows, including transaction traces that show app name, flow name, endpoint, HTTP request with headers, response, and execution time for each part of the transaction. The agent also supports technologies like JDBC, JMS, Apache HttpClient, and other libraries used inside Mule ESB, providing a seamless experience drilling down the entire stack from request to response.

Mule ESB is a widely used open-source Enterprise Service Bus that facilitates the communication between various services and applications, regardless of transport protocol or location, by acting as a transit system. It is Java-based and now supported by the New Relic APM Java agent from version 3.4 to 3.8, offering comprehensive visibility into flow behaviors and performance. Flows within Mule ESB can manage tasks such as database access, HTTP request handling, and interactions with external systems, with the New Relic Java agent providing insights into synchronous and asynchronous operations, data store interactions, and cross-application tracing. The tool allows users to analyze transaction traces in detail, covering aspects like HTTP requests, JDBC database queries, JMS message queues, and external calls, thereby enhancing the ability to monitor and troubleshoot application performance efficiently.

Java remains the most popular programming language in terms of job postings and usage data from New Relic, but other languages like JavaScript, Python, and Go are gaining traction, particularly among newer organizations that value ease of use and faster time to market. Many developers are taking a polyglot approach, using multiple languages depending on the specific problem they're trying to solve. Employers are looking for skills in Java, JavaScript, and PHP, but the most popular choice among developers is JavaScript, according to GitHub and Stack Overflow data. Newer languages like Rust, Swift, F#, Scala, and Go are also gaining popularity, particularly among developers who use them. The trend suggests that organizations are increasingly adopting a polyglot approach, using multiple languages to take advantage of each language's strengths and the varied expertise of their programming team.

Java continues to be a dominant force in the programming world, particularly in enterprise settings, due to its readability, scalability, and robustness. However, the landscape is shifting as more developers adopt a polyglot approach, using multiple programming languages to leverage their unique strengths. While Java remains popular, easier-to-use languages like JavaScript, Node.js, and Go are gaining traction, particularly in smaller and newer organizations. According to job boards like Indeed and Dice, Java still leads in job listings, but Python is experiencing a notable increase in demand. Rankings from RedMonk and Stack Overflow highlight JavaScript as the most popular language among developers, with newer languages like Rust, Swift, and Go also gaining favor due to their modern features. This suggests a growing trend towards diverse technology stacks, allowing organizations to capitalize on the varied expertise of their teams.