Java Workflow Engine for Distributed Systems and Unique Animal News

Originally published at ssojet LittleHorse is a Java open-source platform designed to orchestrate distributed systems, addressing challenges related to state management and the coordination of microservices, external APIs, and human tasks. Developers can define workflows programmatically using languages such as Java, Go, Python, C#, and .NET, eliminating the need for specialized DSLs. Key capabilities include real-time observability, automated error recovery with retries, event-driven coordination, User Task integration, and developer SDKs. The architecture of LittleHorse centers around the LittleHorse Kernel, responsible for executing defined processes (WfSpecs as WfRuns), managing state durably, and ensuring reliable execution. The Kernel is predominantly written in Java, utilizing Apache Kafka as a durable write-ahead log for state persistence, enabling robust recovery from failures. LittleHorse is suitable for diverse use cases, including microservice orchestration and business process management. Developers use the LittleHorse SDKs to define the Workflow Specification (WfSpec), a reusable template outlining the sequence of operations, variable management, conditional branching, parallelism, and error handling strategies. Below is an example of a WfSpec defined in Java: import io.littlehorse.sdk.wfsdk.*; public class KycWorkflow implements Workflow { @Override public String getName() { return "kyc-workflow"; } @Override public void workflow(WorkflowThread wf) { WfRunVariable customerInfoVar = wf.addVariable("customer-info", VariableType.JSON); WfRunVariable verificationResultVar = wf.addVariable("verification-result", VariableType.JSON); wf.execute("verify-identity-task", customerInfoVar).output(verificationResultVar); } } Within a WfSpec, Tasks are declared via Task Definition (TaskDef), allowing developers to implement the TaskDef business logic via a Task Method. For example, a Task Method for "verify-identity-task" could look like this: import io.littlehorse.sdk.worker.LHTaskMethod; public class VerificationTasks { @LHTaskMethod("verify-identity-task") public VerificationResult verifyIdentity(CustomerInfo customer) { return new VerificationResult(true); } } Deployment options include an Open Source (OSS) Kernel, the managed LittleHorse Cloud service, and LittleHorse for Kubernetes (LHK). Essential tools include a web-based Dashboard for monitoring, the lhctl Command-Line Interface, and language-specific SDKs. More details are available in the LittleHorse QuickStart and the GitHub repo. Feeble Little Horse Band Updates The Pittsburgh indie rock band feeble little horse released a new single titled “This is Real” on March 11. This marks their first new material since their 2023 sophomore LP “Girl with Fish.” Guitarist Ryan Walchonski announced his departure from the band, while new guitarist Rob Potesta joins the lineup. Walchonski expressed gratitude towards his bandmates in an Instagram post. The band’s collaboration is evident in their Post-Trash interview, highlighting their bond. Drummer Jake Kelley noted, “Ryan” kept them grounded during tours. Sebastian Kinsler’s solo project, find my friends, released the single “Call” on March 31. Pennsylvania Police Officer Rescues Highway Horse On April 3, Sgt. Ted Lewis from the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department rescued a miniature horse named April running loose on a busy highway. Lewis quickly formed a bond with the animal, using a dog leash to guide her back safely. April had escaped from the Horse Angels Rescue farm shortly after being surrendered. Lewis adopted April, stating, “I just thought it would be a nice addition to our farm and our family.” The police department shared a photo of the two, humorously announcing her as part of their "mounted unit." Robot Horses: The Future of Riding? Kawasaki has unveiled a prototype for a hydrogen-powered robotic horse named Corlero, designed to mimic an intuitive riding experience. The AI-enhanced robot is approximately the size of a large motorcycle and is controlled by the rider's weight shifting. Wyoming cowboys have expressed skepticism about replacing real horses with robots. Experts emphasize the necessity of biological intelligence in horses, which robots may lack. The commercial release of Corlero is over two decades away, raising questions about its impact on equine industries. Zedonk Captured on Camera An unusual animal, a zedonk—a hybrid of a zebra and a donkey—was captured on a Michigan resident's security camera after escaping from a nearby farm. The Blackman-Leoni Township police responded to reports of a donkey blocking traffic but discovered the zedonk instead. The police confirmed that the farm is known for producing hybrid animals and do not believe neglect was involved in the escape. The zedonk was unharmed and returned to its pasture. Explor

Apr 25, 2025 - 07:52

Java Workflow Engine for Distributed Systems and Unique Animal News

Originally published at ssojet

LittleHorse is a Java open-source platform designed to orchestrate distributed systems, addressing challenges related to state management and the coordination of microservices, external APIs, and human tasks. Developers can define workflows programmatically using languages such as Java, Go, Python, C#, and .NET, eliminating the need for specialized DSLs. Key capabilities include real-time observability, automated error recovery with retries, event-driven coordination, User Task integration, and developer SDKs.

The architecture of LittleHorse centers around the LittleHorse Kernel, responsible for executing defined processes (WfSpecs as WfRuns), managing state durably, and ensuring reliable execution. The Kernel is predominantly written in Java, utilizing Apache Kafka as a durable write-ahead log for state persistence, enabling robust recovery from failures. LittleHorse is suitable for diverse use cases, including microservice orchestration and business process management.

Developers use the LittleHorse SDKs to define the Workflow Specification (WfSpec), a reusable template outlining the sequence of operations, variable management, conditional branching, parallelism, and error handling strategies. Below is an example of a WfSpec defined in Java:

import io.littlehorse.sdk.wfsdk.*;

public class KycWorkflow implements Workflow {
    @Override public String getName() { return "kyc-workflow"; }

    @Override public void workflow(WorkflowThread wf) {
        WfRunVariable customerInfoVar = wf.addVariable("customer-info", VariableType.JSON);
        WfRunVariable verificationResultVar = wf.addVariable("verification-result", VariableType.JSON);
        wf.execute("verify-identity-task", customerInfoVar).output(verificationResultVar);
    }
}

Within a WfSpec, Tasks are declared via Task Definition (TaskDef), allowing developers to implement the TaskDef business logic via a Task Method. For example, a Task Method for "verify-identity-task" could look like this:

import io.littlehorse.sdk.worker.LHTaskMethod;

public class VerificationTasks {
    @LHTaskMethod("verify-identity-task")
    public VerificationResult verifyIdentity(CustomerInfo customer) {
        return new VerificationResult(true); 
    }
}

Deployment options include an Open Source (OSS) Kernel, the managed LittleHorse Cloud service, and LittleHorse for Kubernetes (LHK). Essential tools include a web-based Dashboard for monitoring, the lhctl Command-Line Interface, and language-specific SDKs. More details are available in the LittleHorse QuickStart and the GitHub repo.

Feeble Little Horse Band Updates

The Pittsburgh indie rock band feeble little horse released a new single titled “This is Real” on March 11. This marks their first new material since their 2023 sophomore LP “Girl with Fish.”

Guitarist Ryan Walchonski announced his departure from the band, while new guitarist Rob Potesta joins the lineup. Walchonski expressed gratitude towards his bandmates in an Instagram post.

The band’s collaboration is evident in their Post-Trash interview, highlighting their bond. Drummer Jake Kelley noted, “Ryan” kept them grounded during tours. Sebastian Kinsler’s solo project, find my friends, released the single “Call” on March 31.

Pennsylvania Police Officer Rescues Highway Horse

On April 3, Sgt. Ted Lewis from the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department rescued a miniature horse named April running loose on a busy highway. Lewis quickly formed a bond with the animal, using a dog leash to guide her back safely. April had escaped from the Horse Angels Rescue farm shortly after being surrendered.

Lewis adopted April, stating, “I just thought it would be a nice addition to our farm and our family.” The police department shared a photo of the two, humorously announcing her as part of their "mounted unit."

Robot Horses: The Future of Riding?

Kawasaki has unveiled a prototype for a hydrogen-powered robotic horse named Corlero, designed to mimic an intuitive riding experience. The AI-enhanced robot is approximately the size of a large motorcycle and is controlled by the rider's weight shifting.

Wyoming cowboys have expressed skepticism about replacing real horses with robots. Experts emphasize the necessity of biological intelligence in horses, which robots may lack. The commercial release of Corlero is over two decades away, raising questions about its impact on equine industries.

Zedonk Captured on Camera

An unusual animal, a zedonk—a hybrid of a zebra and a donkey—was captured on a Michigan resident's security camera after escaping from a nearby farm. The Blackman-Leoni Township police responded to reports of a donkey blocking traffic but discovered the zedonk instead.

The police confirmed that the farm is known for producing hybrid animals and do not believe neglect was involved in the escape. The zedonk was unharmed and returned to its pasture.

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