When LMAX Disruptor Is Not the Right Choice

  • 30/9/2012
  • One-minute read

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.

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.
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