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PCF commands

 

The purpose of WebSphere MQ programmable command format (PCF) commands is to allow administration tasks to be programmed into an administration program. In this way, from a program we can manipulate queue manager objects (queues, process definitions, namelists, channels, client connection channels, listeners, services, and authentication information objects), and even manipulate the queue managers themselves.

PCF commands cover the same range of functions provided by MQSC commands. We can write a program to issue PCF commands to any queue manager in the network from a single node. In this way, we can both centralize and automate administration tasks.

Each PCF command is a data structure that is embedded in the application data part of a WebSphere MQ message. Each command is sent to the target queue manager using the MQI function MQPUT in the same way as any other message. Providing the command server is running on the queue manager receiving the message, the command server interprets it as a command message and runs the command. To get the replies, the application issues an MQGET call and the reply data is returned in another data structure. The application can then process the reply and act accordingly.

Unlike MQSC commands, PCF commands and their replies are not in a text format that we can read.

Briefly, these are some of the things needed to create a PCF command message:

Message descriptor

This is a standard WebSphere MQ message descriptor, in which:

  • Message type (MsqType) is MQMT_REQUEST.

  • Message format (Format) is MQFMT_ADMIN.

Application data

Contains the PCF message including the PCF header, in which:

  • The PCF message type (Type) specifies MQCFT_COMMAND.

  • The command identifier specifies the command, for example, Change Queue (MQCMD_CHANGE_Q).

For a complete description of the PCF data structures and how to implement them, see WebSphere MQ Programmable Command Formats and Administration Interface.

 

Parent topic:

Automating administration tasks


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