Programming language considerations

 

WebSphere MQ provides support for the following programming languages:

• C

• C++ ( see WebSphere MQ Using C++ for information about coding WebSphere MQ programs in C++)

• Visual Basic (Windows systems only)

• COBOL

• Assembler language (WebSphere MQ for z/OS only)

• RPG (WebSphere MQ for iSeries only)

• PL/I (WebSphere MQ for z/OS only)

The call interface, and how we can code the calls in each of these languages, is described in the Application Programming Reference.

WebSphere MQ provides data definition files to help you to write your applications. For a full description, see WebSphere MQ data definition files.

If we can choose which language to code your programs in, consider the maximum length of the messages that your programs will process. If your programs will process only messages of a known maximum length, we can code them in any of the supported programming languages. But if you do not know the maximum length of the messages that the programs will have to process, the language you choose will depend on whether you are writing a CICS, IMS™, or batch application:

IMS and batch

Code the programs in C, PL/I, or assembler language to use the facilities these languages offer for obtaining and releasing arbitrary amounts of memory. Alternatively, you could code your programs in COBOL, but use assembler language, PL/I, or C subroutines to get and release storage.

CICS

Code the programs in any language supported by CICS. The EXEC CICS interface provides the calls for managing memory, if necessary.

• Coding in C
  

• Coding in COBOL
  

• Coding in System/390 assembler language
  

• Coding in RPG
  

• Coding in PL/I
  

• Coding in Visual Basic
  

 

Parent topic:

Introducing the Message Queue Interface

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