Apache Kafka's an interesting beast. It solves many different data-processing problems by being part queue, part database, and part message bus. But it can be daunting to get started, and like many things, the only real way to understand Kafka is to build something with it. So let's do that!

In this live-coding session we'll take our first steps with Kafka, building a system that tracks the live status of metro trains. As we do so, we'll build up an understanding of some of Kafka's core ideas - topics, connectors, consumers and groups - to build up a mental model of how Kafka works, and where it works best.

(And for those of you who already know Kafka, you'll learn some modern JavaScript and see how quickly you can build a useful app.)

By the end you'll have a starter project, and the shape of Kafka in your mind so you can make faster progress building your own realtime applications.