dora/binaries/coordinator/README.md

# Coordinator

Prototype for a process/library-based dora-rs implementation, instead of framework-based. The idea is that each operator is compiled as a separate executable. The `dora-coordinator` runtime is responsible for reading the dataflow descriptor file and launching the operators accordingly. The operators use a common library called `dora-api`, which implements the communication layer based on zenoh.

This approach has the following advantages:

- Less overhead
  - No data transfer between a runtime and the operator
  - The compiler can inline and optimize the full process
- More flexibility
  - Operators can be sync or async
  - They can decide how many threads and which execution model they use
  - The OS ensures fair share of resources (e.g. CPU time) -> no need to cooperate with other operators
  - Operators get all inputs immediately -> no need for input rules
  - Keeping local state is easily possible
- Separate address spaces
  - The operators are isolated from each other.

There are drawbacks too, for example:

- Less control
  - Processes run independently -> need to cooperate with the runtime, e.g. on stop signals
  - Operator migration is more difficult
- Operators are always isolated
  - No way of using in-memory channels
  - Local sockets and shared memory should be still possible