[zeromq-dev] devices

[Martin Sustrik]

On 04/11/2011 01:41 AM, Andrew Hume wrote:
> why do (zmq) devices exist?
>
> i understand teh functionality. i have such things in my architecture,
> but i have them as separate processes acting as gateways.
>
> with the benefit of hindsight, why are they great, or even needed?

Devices are primary instruments for achieving scalability. They can also 
serve other functions (persistence, management etc.)

However, they are _applications_ as opposed to 0MQ core which is a 
_network stack_. Thus I believe the two should not be mixed in a single 
project.

Additionally, devices are the area where the most value can be added. In 
the future, there can be a flourishing ecosystem of devices, provided by 
different vendors and ranging from trivial open source solutions (like 
the devices packaged with 0MQ now) to high-end proprietary devices. As 
an example of sophisticated device, see the r0mq project which allows 
RabbitMQ broker to be used as a device in 0MQ network.

Packaging devices with core library kind of suggest that those are some 
kind of "official" devices and discourages the innovation in the area.

Martin