Exit and switch load files on Windows operating systems
The IBM WebSphere MQ for Windows Version 7.5 queue manager processes are 32-bit. As a result, when using 64-bit applications, some types of exit and XA switch load files also need to have a 32-bit version available for use by the queue manager. If the 32-bit version of the exit or XA switch load file is required and is not available, then the relevant API call or command fails.
Two attributes are supported in the qm.ini file for ExitPath. These are ExitsDefaultPath= MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH\exits and ExitsDefaultPath64= MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH\exits64. MQ_INSTALLATION_PATH represents the high-level directory in which IBM MQ is installed. Using these ensures that the appropriate library can be found. If an exit is used in an IBM MQ cluster, this also ensures that the appropriate library on a remote system can be found.
The following table lists the different types of Exit and Switch load files and notes whether 32-bit or 64-bit versions, or both, are required, according to whether 32-bit or 64-bit applications are being used:
| File types | 32-bit applications | 64-bit applications |
|---|---|---|
| API-crossing exit | 32-bit | 32-bit and 64-bit |
| Data conversion exit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| Server Channel exits (all types) | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Client Channel exits (all types) | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| Installable service exit | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Service trace module | 32-bit | 32-bit and 64-bit |
| Cluster WLM exit | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Pub/Sub routing exit | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Database switch load files | 32-bit | 32-bit and 64-bit |
| External Transaction Manager AX libraries | 32-bit | 64-bit |