Accessing WebSphere MQ from Java programs

Java™ programs that run in CICS® can use either the WebSphere® MQ classes for Java, or the WebSphere MQ classes for JMS, to access WebSphere MQ.

WebSphere MQ classes for Java encapsulate the Message Queue Interface (MQI), the native WebSphere MQ API. If you are familiar with the use of the MQI in procedural languages, you can transfer this knowledge to the Java environment. The classes use a similar object model to the C++ and .NET interfaces to WebSphere MQ. In addition, you can exploit the full range of features of WebSphere MQ, beyond those available through JMS.

WebSphere MQ classes for JMS implements the JMS interfaces for WebSphere MQ as the messaging system. If your organization is new to WebSphere MQ, but already has JMS application development skills, you might find it easier to use the familiar JMS API to access WebSphere MQ resources, rather than one of the other APIs provided with WebSphere MQ.

There are specific installation requirements and operational characteristics when you use each of the WebSphere MQ classes in a CICS JVM server environment. The WebSphere MQ classes for Java can be used in both an OSGI JVM server or a Liberty JVM server. The WebSphere MQ classes for JMS are only supported in an OSGI JVM server, and are not supported in a Liberty JVM server.