We built a Fluent Bit Classic configuration to YAML convertor over a year ago. It worked, but felt clunky. So we have built a successor, using Python. This blog walks through why we've moved from Java to Python as well as the details for using the new version.

Fluent Bit processors now support conditional execution, allowing users to define processor order and conditions directly, enhancing performance and simplifying configuration processes.

With KubeCon North America just wrapped up, the team behind Fluent Bit has announced a new major release -version 4.2. According to the release notes, there are some interesting new features for routing strategies in Fluent Bit. We also have a Dead Letter Queue (DLQ) mechanism to handle some operational edge scenarios. As with all releases, there are continued improvements in the form of optimizations and feature additions to exploit the capabilities of the connected technology.

The exploration of using a free LLM, Grok, for building configurations reveals variability in plugin recognition and attribute identification. While LLMs show promise in generating Fluent Bit configurations, detailed prompts and understanding of plugins are crucial for optimal results.

The post highlights various podcasts worth exploring, including Rockenteurs, Ongoing History of New Music, Bureau of Lost Culture, and others, emphasizing their unique storytelling and music industry insights.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) has really taken off as a way to amplify the power of AI, providing tools for utilising data to supplement what a foundation model has already been trained on, and so on. With the rapid uptake of a standard and technology that has been development/implementation led aspects of governance and security can take time to catch up.

Oracle's Digital Government Global Industry Unit is developing a solution to enhance food security for governments. The approach leverages advanced technology, AI, and extensive data analysis to improve agricultural practices globally.

Fluent Bit version 4's first major release dropped a couple of weeks ago (September 24, 2025). The release's feature list isn't as large as 4.0.4 (see my blog here). It would therefore be easy to interpret the change as less profound. But that isn't the case. There are some new features, which we'll come to shortly, but there are some significant improvements under the hood.

The second edition of Arnaud Lauret's "The Design of Web APIs" addresses evolving REST practices and incorporates the latest Open API specifications. It provides comprehensive design guidance, including consistency, performance, and non-functional requirements. While valuable, it could expand on Asynchronous APIs and natural language interface integration for deeper insights.

Generative AI is transforming IT, prompting software vendors to balance between enhancing user experience with AI and maintaining traditional UI practices. Effective integration can empower users while ensuring efficiency and accessibility.

Recent articles on logging best practices expand on the original list, covering evaluation, context, error codes, and Fluent Bit insights.

In 2018, Manning published Chris Richardson's Microservices Patterns, evolving techniques for designing microservices. The early access edition promises updates valuable for both new and experienced practitioners. Highly recommended.

The author discusses the unexpected release of a new book, and how it came to be.

The latest Fluent Bit release includes significant enhancements, such as improved character encoding support, robust file rotation handling, and enhanced Lua scripting for OpenTelemetry, despite officially being a minor patch update.

Just about any web-based application will have cookies, even if they are being used as part of session management. Then, if you're in the business-to-consumer space, you'll likely use tracking cookies to help understand your users. Understanding what is required depends on which part of the world your application is being used in. For the European Union (EU) and the broader 

Like many developers and architects, I track the news feeds from websites such as The New Stack and InfoQ. I've even submitted articles to some of these sites and saw them published. However, in the last week, something rather odd occurred: articles in The New Stack (TNS) appeared, attributed to me, although I had no involvement in the publication process with TNS; yet, the content is definitely mine.

Oracle's intern program aims to transition (under)graduates into productive junior staff through mentorship, ongoing dialogue, and integration into teams, fostering learning and development.

In today's IT landscape, software architects must understand various legislation and licensing, including software licenses, GDPR, and compliance standards like PCI and ISO27001, to avoid unplanned costs and ensure compliance.

The rise of generative AI in code development is narrowing the productivity gap with low-code tools, enhancing development speed and efficiency, especially for complex applications, while transforming the roles of developers and UX designers.

The post explores alternative music purchasing options beyond vinyl, including Super Deluxe Editions, artist subscriptions, music-related books, vinyl care kits, and collectible artwork, providing insights for enthusiasts.

Buying vinyl gifts involves understanding collector preferences, special editions, limited runs, and artist signatures. Knowledge of indie stores is also essential for unique finds.

I've been a long-time fan of mind maps, as a means to take notes while reading books, and to help organize thoughts and ideas in my day job. If you've explored the content of this blog, you'll have seen I have a page of mind maps (here) covering various subjects. I've published them, as much to share them freely, as to provide a quick access back to them for myself.

Fluent Bit v4, announced at Kubecon Europe, introduces significant improvements, including new processors with conditionality, enhanced TLS support, and an experimental plugin development language, Zig. Security enhancements simplify credential management. Trace sampling optimizes telemetry data handling. Overall, these advancements strengthen Fluent Bit's capabilities while maintaining compatibility, ensuring ongoing relevance for existing resources.

The OpenAPI Initiative has introduced two standards, Overlays and Arazzo, enhancing API documentation and orchestration, enabling better detail provision and workflow definitions without altering foundational specifications.

Fluentd's labels aid in event routing by grouping plugins, while Fluent Bit enhances routing through flexible tag matching. Migration between them involves adjusting tagging approaches or deploying multiple instances.