[AdieuToLogic]

Use of Metrics functionality is going to vary based on need. So if a system is using something such as Graphite, then the measurements sent should reflect that. This is independent of a particular library IMHO.

So when you say:

  ... if you're feeding them into something
  like Graphite which does further processing,
  you're averaging twice, and getting the
  wrong numbers.

This would be an issue with sending Histogram, Meter, and/or Timer values, but I'd categorize that as a design defect. Using Metrics to send Gauge and Counter data to a Graphite-esque system shouldn't be a problem at all. For systems which do not have a metrics aggregator or when some need to be exposed to external agents (such as client systems), using the types provided by Metrics can be very useful.

As for using log files to "scrape out" system metrics, I realize this is a common practice yet is one which I am fundamentally against. What I've observed when taking the "put it in the logs and we'll parse it out later" tactic is that a system ends up with sustained performance degradation due to high log output as well ops as having to incorporate yet-another system just to deal with profuse logging.

Treating system metrics as a first-class concern has shown itself to be very beneficial in my experience. Persisting them is a desirable thing, agreed, and a feature point fairly easily met when metrics are addressed separately from logging.