what is pub/sub, why it is used, and how it powers efficient streaming pipelines?

hey everyone! i’ve been exploring different google cloud platform (gcp) services lately, and one that i recently used for streaming pipelines is pub/sub. in this post, i’ll break down what pub/sub is, how it works, and why it’s so useful in data pipelines.

what exactly is pub/sub?

pub/sub stands for publisher-subscriber.

it’s a messaging service that helps different parts of a system talk to each other without being directly connected or waiting for each other.

imagine it like a message delivery system: one part (the publisher) drops off a message, and another part (the subscriber) picks it up when ready. this flexibility makes data flow more smoothly, which is why pub/sub is great for streaming pipelines.

a simple analogy

think about the famous dabbawala service in india. the dabbawala picks up lunchboxes from different homes (publishers) and delivers them to offices (subscribers). the offices don’t need to coordinate with each home directly. similarly, pub/sub works like this dabbawala service—taking messages (data) from publishers to subscribers quickly and efficiently, even when they don’t know each other.

why is pub/sub useful for streaming pipelines?

when you’re working with a lot of real-time data, like user interactions, website events, or sensor readings, pub/sub is incredibly useful. here’s why it’s perfect for streaming pipelines:

• asynchronous data delivery: pub/sub doesn’t need the publisher and subscriber to be in sync. it’s like ordering a package online and picking it up from a locker when it’s convenient for you. this feature helps when you’re dealing with big data streams, as waiting for things to sync can slow down the entire pipeline.

• scalable and reliable: think of a courier company handling more packages during diwali but still delivering each one on time. pub/sub works the same way—it can handle huge amounts of data without delays and automatically scales to meet your needs.

• real-time event distribution: imagine you’re in a family group chat, and everyone needs to know the latest plan. the fastest way is to send one group message to everyone. pub/sub does this for systems, distributing real-time updates to multiple subscribers at once. it’s perfect for applications that need instant data across different services.

common use cases of pub/sub

1. gathering data from multiple sources
   imagine getting orders from different cities and sending them to a central warehouse. pub/sub collects events from apps, websites, or devices and sends them to storage tools like bigquery or cloud storage for processing. it helps keep all data organized and ready for analysis.

2. parallel processing and task distribution
   let’s say you’re running a food business and need to process multiple orders at once. pub/sub acts as the coordinator, assigning tasks like “prepare food,” “pack food,” and “deliver” to different teams. this makes everything run faster and more efficiently.

3. database updates and syncing
   if you’re managing guest lists at multiple wedding venues, you’d want all venues to have the most up-to-date list. pub/sub can distribute database updates, ensuring every system has the latest data without needing direct connections.

why use pub/sub for streaming pipelines?

pub/sub is perfect for streaming pipelines that handle large volumes of real-time data. here’s why:

• asynchronous and fast: subscribers can process data whenever they’re ready, keeping the flow of data smooth and uninterrupted.

• highly scalable: pub/sub can handle small or huge data loads, adapting to the needs of your application automatically.

• real-time and flexible: multiple services can access data immediately, enabling quick insights and actions across the system.

with pub/sub, you can handle data efficiently without all parts of your system needing to wait for each other. whether you're building a small project or a large application, pub/sub is an excellent tool for building faster, smarter, and more scalable systems!

few more resources for exploration:

• google cloud pub/sub overview

• youtube: intro to google pub/sub

see ya, happy building :)

always eager to learn and connect with like-minded individuals. happy to connect with you all here!