What message exchange pattern involves sending a request and receiving a response?

The message exchange pattern that involves sending a request and receiving a response is the Request-Reply pattern. This pattern is commonly used in synchronous communication where a client sends a request to a service and then waits for a response before proceeding. This is essential in scenarios where the client needs to ensure that the action it initiated has been completed and to receive any necessary data as a result of that action.

In the Request-Reply pattern, the interaction is typically straightforward – the sender expresses a need for information or confirmation, and the receiver processes the request and replies accordingly. This allows for two-way conversations in integration flows, enabling detailed error handling and validation of responses, which are crucial in many business applications.

Other options represent different patterns of message exchange. For instance, the One Way pattern is utilized when a message is sent without expecting any response, which is more suited for scenarios where immediate feedback is not necessary. The Batch pattern refers to processing a group of messages at once rather than individually, and the Multicast pattern sends messages to multiple recipients simultaneously, focusing on distributing the message rather than ensuring a feedback loop. Each of these patterns serves different use cases, but the Request-Reply pattern is specifically designed for interactions requiring both a request and a corresponding response.