Why does AppDynamics NodeJS client install Java Runtime Environment within its npm packages?

[lukasz]

Why does AppDynamics NodeJS client install Java Runtime Environment within its npm packages? We find this to be an undesired dependency in containerised NodeJs applications. Is there a native nodejs client or plans to develop one?

[Raunak.Mohanty]

Hi lukasz,

This is explained in following document

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO43/Dynamic+Language+Agent+Proxy

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO43/Node.js+Agent#Node.jsAgent-Node.jsAgentandtheJavaProxy

With 4.3, Node.Js Agent supports proxiless option with few limitations

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO43/Dynamic+Language+Agent+Proxy#DynamicLanguageAgentProxy-No...

Let us know if you have additional questions.

Thanks,

Raunak

[lukasz]

I understand I can make the nodejs agent not use the Java proxy (

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO43/Dynamic+Language+Agent+Proxy#DynamicLanguageAgentProxy-No...), but it will be installed anyway along the npm package? This still adds 160MB to container image. Would it be safe to delete the appdynamics-jre and appdynamics-proxy packages if the proxiless option is in use? Or is there an alternative npm package which does not include JRE and proxy dependencies? 

[Piyush.Mundra · Accepted solution]

Hi lukasz,

Yes, you can delete these two directories after the agent installation if you do not intend to use the JAVA proxy for controller communication. But, be informed that there are a few functionalities which are still not supported by native agent.

Best Regards,

Piyush