When LMAX Disruptor Is Not the Right Choice
The LMAX Disruptor can deliver astonishing throughput for single-writer, multi-reader pipelines, but it is not a universal solution. The linked article outlines conditions where its complexity outweighs benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Use the Disruptor when you control the entire pipeline and can enforce cache-friendly data structures.
- Fall back to conventional queues or reactive frameworks if you need dynamic fan-out, backpressure, or blocking operations.
- Profile end-to-end latency; the Disruptor shines in deterministic microsecond workflows, not generic request/response systems.
Recommended Reading
Practical Advice
- Benchmark with your real payloads using JMH or dedicated test harnesses before committing to the Disruptor.
- Ensure operational tooling (metrics, tracing) can integrate with the ring-buffer pipeline; visibility often suffers otherwise.
- Simpler architectures tend to be easier to maintain—choose the right abstraction for team skillset and long-term ownership.