MaxHandles (10-digit signed integer)

Maximum number of handles.

This is the maximum number of open handles that any one task can use concurrently. Each successful MQOPEN call for a single queue (or for an object that is not a queue) uses one handle. That handle becomes available for reuse when the object is closed. However, when a distribution list is opened, each queue in the distribution list is allocated a separate handle, and so that MQOPEN call uses as many handles as there are queues in the distribution list. This must be taken into account when deciding on a suitable value for MaxHandles.

The MQPUT1 call performs an MQOPEN call as part of its processing; as a result, MQPUT1 uses as many handles as MQOPEN would, but the handles are used only for the duration of the MQPUT1 call itself.

The value is in the range 1 through 999 999 999. On i5/OS, the default value is 256.

To determine the value of this attribute, use the IAMHND selector with the MQINQ call.