There are a few different ways to deploy Camel routes on ServiceMix 5.0.0-SNAPSHOT:
deploy routes in a plain Blueprint XML file
deploy routes in a plain Spring XML file
deploy a bundle containing a Blueprint XML file
deploy a bundle containing a Spring XML file
Camel routes can also be deployed as part of a JBI SA, allowing you use Camel for routing between JBI endpoints - this option will be discussed later when we are talking about using JBI inside ServiceMix 4.
Benefits and drawbacks
Plain XML or OSGi bundles
Choose a plain XML file:
if you want to get routes deployed as quickly as possible
all you need for developing routes is a simple text editor, no compilation, building, ... required at allif you prefer the XML syntax over the Java of Scala DSL
Choose an OSGi bundle:
if you want to package helper classes together with your route definitions
if you prefer developing routes in the Java or Scala DSL
you can package the RouteBuilder implementations inside the bundle
Blueprint or Spring
Choose Blueprint:
if you want the best possible integration with the OSGi Framework and Service Registy
the Blueprint specification has been developed specifically for the OSGi Framework by the OSGi Alliance
Choose Spring:
if you already invested in Spring for creating and running Camel routes