How do I design and develop a message model?

New users: how to design and create message models.

If the format of the messages that you want to use with your applications is not self-defining, you must create a message model that defines the structure of your messages. If your messages are self-defining, you might want to create a message model to take advantage of runtime validation of messages, reuse of messages, automatic generation of documentation, and code completion on the message structure when you use ESQL. If you want to use message mapping, you must also create a message model for your messages.

You can obtain prebuilt models for common industry standard message formats such as SWIFT, EDIFACT, X12, FIX, HL7, and TLOG to use with WebSphere® Message Broker. You can also create message models from C header files, COBOL copybooks, XML Schema and DTDs,, and WSDL files. Alternatively, you can use the Message Definition editor to create your own message models.

For further information, read the logical and physical message structure sections in What do I need to know to start developing applications?.

What are the components of a message model?

Use the links in this section to learn how to create and configure message set projects and message set files.

  • Use the following links to learn about the different components that are used to build a message model:
    • What is a message set project?

      A message set project is a container in which you create and maintain all of the resources that are associated with a single message set. A message set can contain one or more message models.

    • What is a message set?

      A message set is a logical grouping of messages and the objects that comprise them (elements, types, and groups). A message set can contain one message set file, message definition files, and message category files.

    • What is a message definition file?

      A message definition file contains the messages, elements, types, and groups that make up a message model. The message definition file contains the logical model and associated physical model in XML Schema form for a group of related messages.

    • What is a message model object?

      Get an overview of the objects that make up a message model.

    • What is a message category?

      You can use message categories to group your messages or to assist in the generation of Web Services Description Language (WSDL) files.

    • What is a multipart message?

      You can define a message that contains one or more embedded messages within its structure.

    • How can I control the number of occurrences of an element or attribute in a message?

      You can define a message that contains repeating, optional, and mandatory elements.

How do I create and configure a message model?

Use the links in this section to learn how to create and configure message set projects and message set files. The following sample provides step-by-step instructions about how to create a simple message model. The sample also demonstrates message transformation between three different message formats. You can view samples only when you use the information center that is integrated with the Message Brokers Toolkit.

How do I manage my message models?

Learn about how to manage your message models:

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Last updated : 2009-01-07 15:19:44

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