OutputDataLength (MQLONG)

This field is a request field used only for DPL programs. Its initial value is MQCODL_AS_INPUT.

This value is the length of the user data to be returned to the client in a reply message. This length includes the 8-byte program name. The length of the COMMAREA passed to the linked program is the maximum of this field and the length of the user data in the request message, minus 8.

Note: The length of the user data in a message is the length of the message excluding the MQCIH structure.

If the length of the user data in the request message is smaller than OutputDataLength, the DATALENGTH option of the LINK command is used, enabling the LINK to be function-shipped efficiently to another CICS region.

We can use the following special value:

MQCODL_AS_INPUT: Output length is same as input length.
This value might be needed even if no reply is requested, in order to ensure that the COMMAREA passed to the linked program is of sufficient size.

Parent topic: Fields for MQCIH