OutputRouter

OutputRouter is a software construct that directs outputs from a source to one or more destinations according to configurable rules. It serves as a routing point between producers and sinks, enabling flexible control over where data or events are sent.

It typically provides routing configurations that map context attributes to destinations. Destinations can include files, databases, network services, message queues, or in-memory sinks. Routing may be static or dynamic, supporting conditions, branches, and load balancing. Many routers also implement fan-out (replicating a single input to multiple outputs) and fan-in (consolidating outputs from parallel paths).

Common use cases include logging and telemetry: an OutputRouter routes log events to a console, a rotating file, and a centralized collector depending on severity or source. In data processing and integration, it directs records to different sinks based on content, schema, or routing criteria.

Key design considerations include performance and latency, ordering guarantees when required, fault tolerance and retry strategies, destination availability, and observability through metrics and tracing. Configuration lifecycle, security of destination credentials, and graceful degradation are also important.

Implementation notes: design a clean, pluggable API for destinations; provide adapters for common sinks; support testing with mock destinations; use declarative configuration when possible; document routing rules and precedence.

See also: router, dispatcher, fan-out, sink, data routing.