Machine encodings on IBM i

Use this information to learn about the structure of the MDENC field in the message descriptor.

For more information about the message descriptor, see MQMD (Message descriptor) on IBM i.

• The encoding used for binary integers
• The encoding used for packed-decimal integers
• The encoding used for floating-point numbers
• Reserved bits

Each subfield is identified by a bit mask which has 1-bits in the positions corresponding to the subfield, and 0-bits elsewhere. The bits are numbered such that bit 0 is the most significant bit, and bit 31 the least significant bit. The following masks are defined:

ENIMSK

Mask for binary-integer encoding.

This subfield occupies bit positions 28 through 31 within the MDENC field.

ENDMSK

Mask for packed-decimal-integer encoding.

This subfield occupies bit positions 24 through 27 within the MDENC field.

ENFMSK

Mask for floating-point encoding.

This subfield occupies bit positions 20 through 23 within the MDENC field.

ENRMSK

Mask for reserved bits.

This subfield occupies bit positions 0 through 19 within the MDENC field.

• Binary-integer encoding on IBM i
  Valid values for binary-integer encoding.
• Packed-decimal-integer encoding on IBM i
  Valid values for packed-decimal-integer encoding
• Floating-point encoding on IBM i
  Valid values for floating-point encoding
• Constructing encodings on IBM i
  To construct a value for the MDENC field in MQMD, the relevant constants that describe the required encodings should be added.
• Analyzing encodings on IBM i
  The MDENC field contains subfields; because of this, applications that need to examine the integer, packed decimal, or float encoding should use the technique described in this topic.
• Summary of machine architecture encodings on IBM i
  A table summarizing encodings for machine architectures.

Parent topic: IBM i Application Programming Reference (ILE/RPG)