The InfoQ Podcast

Observability in Java with Micrometer - a Conversation with Marcin Grzejszczak

13 snips
Sep 1, 2025
Guest
Marcin Grzejszczak
Marcin Grzejszczak, a key player in the Spring and Micrometer open source teams, shares insights on observability in distributed systems. He discusses the shift from monolithic applications to microservices, emphasizing the crucial role of monitoring. The conversation explores the evolution of observability tools, like OpenTelemetry, and how Micrometer enhances metrics collection. Marcin also addresses the business implications of observability practices, including cost considerations and the necessity of effective context propagation for seamless service communication.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Observability Is Nonnegotiable

  • Observability matters regardless of architecture; without it you can't answer if the app is slow or healthy.
  • Metrics let you measure changes and define what “slow” or “healthy” means for your business.
ANECDOTE

Conference-Driven Tech Mistake

  • Marcin described switching to MongoDB after a conference hype and his manager asking who would support production.
  • He reverted to Postgres when he realized operational costs and responsibilities were overlooked.
INSIGHT

Standards Evolve In Unexpected Orders

  • OpenTelemetry merged earlier standards but prioritized API and semantic layers before the wire protocol, which Marcin found curious.
  • Political friction occurred despite technical interoperability, showing standards work is as social as technical.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app