= Transformers
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A transformer, as the name suggests, is a component which transforms a message.
For example, a transformer could modify the body of a message or add or remove properties.
Both xref:diverts.adoc#diverting-and-splitting-message-flows[diverts] and xref:core-bridges.adoc#core-bridges[core bridges] support.

A transformer is simply a class which implements the interface `org.apache.activemq.artemis.core.server.transformer.Transformer`:

[,java]
----
public interface Transformer {

   default void init(Map<String, String> properties) { }

   Message transform(Message message);
}
----

The `init` method is called immediately after the broker instantiates the class.
There is a default method implementation so implementing `init` is optional.
However, if the transformer needs any configuration properties it should implement `init` and the broker will pass the configured key/value pairs to the transformer using a `java.util.Map`.

== Configuration

The most basic configuration requires only specifying the transformer's class name, e.g.:

[,xml]
----
<transformer-class-name>
   org.foo.MyTransformer
</transformer-class-name>
----

However, if the transformer needs any configuration properties those can be specified using a slightly different syntax, e.g.:

[,xml]
----
<transformer>
   <class-name>org.foo.MyTransformerWithProperties</class-name>
   <property key="transformerKey1" value="transformerValue1"/>
   <property key="transformerKey2" value="transformerValue2"/>
</transformer>
----

Any transformer implementation needs to be added to the broker's classpath.
See the documentation on xref:using-server.adoc#adding-runtime-dependencies[adding runtime dependencies] to understand how to make your transformer available to the broker.