Converting the character set and encoding for message data

You can convert the character set and encoding of the original message data. The conversion is for the character set of the text and the encoding of the numbers.

Before you begin

You must create a job in which the WebSphere® MQ connector is a source or is part of the request and reply scenario. You must have an output link that is attached to the connector and an input link for the other part of the request and reply scenario. However, message conversion is set only on the request link or output link. You also must configure your connection properties and other properties as needed for the job at some point before you run the job.

About this task

For example, you need the EBCDIC to ASCII conversion when the connector accesses queues on z/OS® from Windows.

To convert the character set and encoding:

Procedure

  1. Double-click the connector on the job canvas to open the stage editor.
  2. In the navigator, click the output link.
  3. In the Usage section of the Properties tab, set Message options to Yes.
  4. Set Message conversion to Yes.
  5. In the Encoding sub-property, specify the numeric encoding.
    Option Description
    Convert message data to the encoding of the operating system where the connector runs. Accept the default value, which is -1.
    Convert to a different encoding. Type a different value that is a decimal representation of a three-digit hexadecimal value. The three digits specify system encodings for floating-point, packed-decimal-integer, and binary-integer numbers. For example, the value 786 corresponds to the hexadecimal value 0x312. This hexadecimal value represents the following combination of values:
    0x300
    The zSeries® encoding for floating-point numbers.
    0x010
    The normal encoding for packed-decimal-integer numbers.
    0x002
    The reversed encoding for binary-integer numbers.
  6. In the Coded character set ID property, specify the character set.
    Option Description
    Convert message data to the character set of the operating system where the connector runs. Accept the default value, which is 0.
    Convert to a different character set. Type a different value that is the coded character set identifier (CCSID) constant for the character set encoding. For example, the value 1208 corresponds to the UTF-8 encoding for the Unicode character set.