What are 'message processors' in MuleSoft?

Message processors in MuleSoft serve as the building blocks for executing operations within a Mule flow. They are essential components that handle the processing of messages as they traverse through the flow. This includes actions like transforming, routing, or filtering data, and they can even invoke external services.

By being a crucial part of the message processing workflow, these components allow developers to design and control the data flow and manage interactions and executions effectively. Each message processor can be configured to perform specific functions, thereby shaping how data is manipulated within the overall integration solution.

In contrast, other options either imply functionalities that are not the primary purpose of message processors or identify capabilities that are not directly related to the execution of operations in a flow. For instance, transforming APIs into services is more about the broader architecture than the functions of specific processors, and tools for monitoring message performance are separate utilities focusing on analytics rather than message processing. Elements that define how data is stored pertain more to data management rather than the execution aspect of message processing.