What is the function of a processor in OpenTelemetry?

In OpenTelemetry, the function of a processor is primarily to decide actions for received telemetry data. Processors are responsible for taking the data that has been collected and performing various operations on it, such as filtering, aggregating, or transforming the data before it is exported to a backend or storage system. This stage is crucial because it determines how the telemetry data will be handled and what will be sent for further analysis or monitoring.

This functionality allows for the optimization of data flow and ensures that only relevant data is forwarded to backend systems, potentially reducing costs and improving the efficiency of monitoring systems. Therefore, the role of the processor is essential for managing the quality and applicability of the telemetry data in the context of observability.

Other choices focus on different aspects of telemetry data handling but do not directly relate to the processors' specific role within OpenTelemetry. Generating new telemetry data pertains to the sources of such data and not processing, while extracting metadata from logs is about gathering supplementary information rather than deciding on actions. Sending logs to backends represents the final destination of processed data rather than the decision-making process that occurs within the processors.