Basic concepts and key terms

Basic concepts and key terms

Description of the basic concepts and key terms we must know about before using the Getting started with IBM MQ scenario.

Basic concepts

IBM MQ enables applications to read and write messages to a queue. The application that reads the message is independent of the application that writes the message. It is not a requirement to have the two applications running at the same time. If no application is available to read the message it is queued on the IBM MQ queue until an application reads it.
In this scenario we can choose to install and configure IBM MQ in one of the following ways:

Installing and configuring using the graphical user interface

During installation using the graphical user interface, we are guided through several screens and wizards to help you apply the relevant options and settings:

Launchpad

Check software requirements, specify network information and start the IBM MQ installation wizard.

IBM MQ installation wizard

Install the software and start the Prepare IBM MQ Wizard.

Prepare IBM MQ Wizard

Start the IBM MQ service and IBM MQ Explorer.

IBM MQ Explorer

Manage queues and queue managers.

Installing and configuring using the command line interface

The command line interface installation can be silent or interactive. The silent installation is fully accessible and is the one covered in this scenario. During installation using the command line, we are guided through several steps to help you apply relevant options and settings:

Install IBM MQ
Create and configure IBM MQ objects; queue managers and queues.
Verify the installation by using amqsput to put and amqsget to get a message from the queue.

As well as using IBM MQ Explorer and command line to create IBM MQ objects, it is possible to do so by using the programmable interface. This is not included in the current scenario.

Key terms
Here is a list of key terms about message queuing.
Term Description

Queue managers The queue manager is responsible for maintaining the queues it owns, and for storing all the messages it receives onto the appropriate queues.

Messages A message is a string of bytes that is meaningful to the applications that use it. Messages are used to transfer information from one application program to another. The applications can be running on the same or on different computers.

Local queues A local queue is a data structure used to store messages. The queue can be a normal queue or a transmission queue. A normal queue holds messages that are to be read by an application that is reading the message directly from the queue manager. A transmission queue holds messages that are in transit to another queue manager.

Parent topic: Plan the solution

Last updated: 2020-10-04


Term	Description
Queue managers	The queue manager is responsible for maintaining the queues it owns, and for storing all the messages it receives onto the appropriate queues.
Messages	A message is a string of bytes that is meaningful to the applications that use it. Messages are used to transfer information from one application program to another. The applications can be running on the same or on different computers.
Local queues	A local queue is a data structure used to store messages. The queue can be a normal queue or a transmission queue. A normal queue holds messages that are to be read by an application that is reading the message directly from the queue manager. A transmission queue holds messages that are in transit to another queue manager.