Better Observability with No Code Changes

on YouTube ↗21m

" summary

Shows how to add meaningful Java tracing without code edits by using the OpenTelemetry Java agent plus a small tool and concrete heuristics. Demonstration uses the Spring PetClinic and a CLI called Flashlight that scans compiled classes and emits agent config. Heuristics flag methods with locking, client calls, and high call/branch counts so you pick candidates; guidance covers risk (too many spans, high-cardinality attributes), testing, and using agent extensions for custom attributes or exporters.

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" chapters (11)

1. 0:00Observability challenges
2. 1:11What is observability
3. 2:16OpenTelemetry standards
4. 3:20Java instrumentation with OpenTelemetry
5. 5:06Aspect-oriented instrumentation
6. 8:20Instrumentation candidates with Flashlight
7. 11:36Flashlight heuristics
8. 13:42Strategic instrumentation guidelines
9. 17:38Avoid when instrumenting Java
10. 18:40Extending OpenTelemetry Java agent
11. 20:04Profiling for visibility

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