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h3. Multicast
The Multicast allows to route the same message to a number of endpoints and process them in a different way. The main difference between the Multicast and Splitter is that Splitter will split the message into several pieces but the Multicast will not modify the request message.

h3. Options

{div:class=confluenceTableSmall}
|| Name || Default Value || Description ||
| {{strategyRef}} | | Refers to an [AggregationStrategy|http://camel.apache.org/maven/current/camel-core/apidocs/org/apache/camel/processor/aggregate/AggregationStrategy.html] to be used to assemble the replies from the multicasts, into a single outgoing message from the [Multicast]. By default Camel will use the last reply as the outgoing message.  From *Camel 2.12* onwards you can also use a POJO as the {{AggregationStrategy}}, see the [Aggregate|Aggregator2] page for more details. |
| {{strategyMethodName}} | | *Camel 2.12:* This option can be used to explicit declare the method name to use, when using POJOs as the {{AggregationStrategy}}. See the [Aggregate|Aggregator2] page for more details. |
| {{parallelProcessing}} | {{false}} | If enables then sending messages to the multicasts occurs concurrently. Note the caller thread will still wait until all messages has been fully processed, before it continues. Its only the sending and processing the replies from the multicasts which happens concurrently. | 
| {{executorServiceRef}} | | Refers to a custom [Thread Pool|Threading Model] to be used for parallel processing. Notice if you set this option, then parallel processing is automatic implied, and you do not have to enable that option as well. |
| {{stopOnException}} | {{false}} | *Camel 2.2:* Whether or not to stop continue processing immediately when an exception occurred. If disable, then Camel will send the message to all multicasts regardless if one of them failed. You can deal with exceptions in the [AggregationStrategy|http://camel.apache.org/maven/current/camel-core/apidocs/org/apache/camel/processor/aggregate/AggregationStrategy.html] class where you have full control how to handle that. |
| {{streaming}} | {{false}} | If enabled then Camel will process replies out-of-order, eg in the order they come back. If disabled, Camel will process replies in the same order as multicasted. |
| {{timeout}} | | *Camel 2.5:* Sets a total timeout specified in millis. If the [Multicast] hasn't been able to send and process all replies within the given timeframe, then the timeout triggers and the [Multicast] breaks out and continues. Notice if you provide a [TimeoutAwareAggregationStrategy|http://camel.apache.org/maven/current/camel-core/apidocs/org/apache/camel/processor/aggregate/TimeoutAwareAggregationStrategy.html] then the {{timeout}} method is invoked before breaking out. If the timeout is reached with running tasks still remaining, certain tasks for which it is difficult for Camel to shut down in a graceful manner may continue to run.  So use this option with a bit of care.  We may be able to improve this functionality in future Camel releases. |
| {{onPrepareRef}} | | *Camel 2.8:* Refers to a custom [Processor] to prepare the copy of the [Exchange] each multicast will receive. This allows you to do any custom logic, such as deep-cloning the message payload if that's needed etc. |
| {{shareUnitOfWork}} | {{false}} | *Camel 2.8:* Whether the unit of work should be shared. See the same option on [Splitter] for more details. |
{div}



h4. Example

The following example shows how to take a request from the *direct:a* endpoint , then multicast these request to *direct:x*, *direct:y*, *direct:z*.

*Using the [Fluent Builders]*
{snippet:id=example|lang=java|url=camel/trunk/camel-core/src/test/java/org/apache/camel/processor/MulticastTest.java}

By default Multicast invokes each endpoint sequentially. If parallel processing is desired, simply use
{code}
from("direct:a").multicast().parallelProcessing().to("direct:x", "direct:y", "direct:z");
{code}

In case of using InOut MEP, an AggregationStrategy is used for aggregating all reply messages. The default is to only use the latest reply message and discard any earlier replies. The aggregation strategy is configurable:

{code}
from("direct:start")
  .multicast(new MyAggregationStrategy())
  .parallelProcessing().timeout(500).to("direct:a", "direct:b", "direct:c")
  .end()
  .to("mock:result");
{code}


h3. Stop processing in case of exception
*Available as of Camel 2.1*

The [Multicast] will by default continue to process the entire [Exchange] even in case one of the multicasted messages will thrown an exception during routing.
For example if you want to multicast to 3 destinations and the 2nd destination fails by an exception. What Camel does by default is to process the remainder destinations. You have the chance to remedy or handle this in the {{AggregationStrategy}}.

But sometimes you just want Camel to stop and let the exception be propagated back, and let the Camel error handler handle it. You can do this in Camel 2.1 by specifying that it should stop in case of an exception occurred. This is done by the {{stopOnException}} option as shown below:

{code}
    from("direct:start")
        .multicast()
            .stopOnException().to("direct:foo", "direct:bar", "direct:baz")
        .end()
        .to("mock:result");

        from("direct:foo").to("mock:foo");

        from("direct:bar").process(new MyProcessor()).to("mock:bar");

        from("direct:baz").to("mock:baz");
{code}

And using XML DSL you specify it as follows:
{code:xml}
        <route>
            <from uri="direct:start"/>
            <multicast stopOnException="true">
                <to uri="direct:foo"/>
                <to uri="direct:bar"/>
                <to uri="direct:baz"/>
            </multicast>
            <to uri="mock:result"/>
        </route>

        <route>
            <from uri="direct:foo"/>
            <to uri="mock:foo"/>
        </route>

        <route>
            <from uri="direct:bar"/>
            <process ref="myProcessor"/>
            <to uri="mock:bar"/>
        </route>

        <route>
            <from uri="direct:baz"/>
            <to uri="mock:baz"/>
        </route>
{code}


h3. Using onPrepare to execute custom logic when preparing messages
*Available as of Camel 2.8*

The [Multicast] will copy the source [Exchange] and multicast each copy. However the copy is a shallow copy, so in case you have mutateable message bodies, then any changes will be visible by the other copied messages. If you want to use a deep clone copy then you need to use a custom {{onPrepare}} which allows you to do this using the [Processor] interface.

Notice the {{onPrepare}} can be used for any kind of custom logic which you would like to execute before the [Exchange] is being multicasted. 

{tip:title=Design for immutable}
Its best practice to design for immutable objects.
{tip}

For example if you have a mutable message body as this Animal class:
{snippet:id=e1|lang=java|title=Animal|url=camel/trunk/camel-core/src/test/java/org/apache/camel/processor/Animal.java}

Then we can create a deep clone processor which clones the message body:
{snippet:id=e1|lang=java|title=AnimalDeepClonePrepare|url=camel/trunk/camel-core/src/test/java/org/apache/camel/processor/AnimalDeepClonePrepare.java}

Then we can use the AnimalDeepClonePrepare class in the [Multicast] route using the {{onPrepare}} option as shown:
{snippet:id=e1|lang=java|title=Multicast using onPrepare|url=camel/trunk/camel-core/src/test/java/org/apache/camel/processor/MulticastOnPrepareTest.java}

And the same example in XML DSL
{snippet:id=e1|lang=xml|title=Multicast using onPrepare|url=camel/trunk/components/camel-spring/src/test/resources/org/apache/camel/spring/processor/MulticastOnPrepareTest.xml}

Notice the {{onPrepare}} option is also available on other [EIP]s such as [Splitter], [Recipient List], and [Wire Tap].


{include:Using This Pattern}