What exactly is Apache Camel? Please provide a 101-word introduction to Apache Camel that explains:
- What exactly is Apache Camel?
- How does it interact with an application written in Java?
- Is it something that goes together with the server?
- Is it an independent program?
Please explain what Camel is in clear, technical terms.
Apache Camel is an open-source integration framework that implements Enterprise Integration Patterns to simplify connecting disparate systems and data sources. As a lightweight Java library with minimal dependencies, it seamlessly embeds into any Java application, providing a unified API for various transport technologies like HTTP, FTP, and JMS. Camel is not a standalone server or independent program but rather a component that runs within your Java application, whether deployed on an application server or executed as a standalone process. Its rule-based routing engine enables message mediation and transformation, making it server-independent while maintaining full compatibility with any Java runtime environment.