Basics of Java Message Service - II

In previous Article, we have read about basics of JMS with some simple programs. Here we shall continue with the introduction of basic programming elements, and objects of JMS Design. These basic objects are required for every JMS program. So it is important to understand these from conceptual and working aspect.

These JMS objects are called Administered JMS objects. JMS API has come in existence to provide a standard for messaging service and to standardize the interfaces and working of various messaging service providers. But, as many of the service providers were already in market, so it was not possible to define a strict protocol. Hence, JMS defines a compratively flexible protocol which take care of client protability by providing the standard interface, however, at the same time given ample flexbility to service providers to continue with their existence implementation by just changing the interfaces. JMS Administered objects are the standard objects specified by JMS API which every service provider should implement. These are important to ensure client portability. Beyond these administered objects, service providers are free to provide their custom implementation.

Following is the list of important Administered Objects:

Object Type - Implementing Objects
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  1. ConnectionFactory - TopicFactory, QueueFactory
  2. Connection - TopicConnection, QueueConnection
  3. Session - TopicSession, QueueSession
  4. MessageProducer - TopicProducer, QueueProducer
  5. MessageConsumer - TopicSubscriber, QueueConsumer
In brief, every JMS user needs to create a connection factory first. Connection Factory can be specific to Topic or Queue messaging module depending upon requirements. JMS API defines a separate concrete object for Topic/Queue messaging model correspodning to each interface. So once we have connection factor, it can be used to ask Connection. Connection is like a factory for session objects. Session is a kind of separate working area for each client of JMS. One connection may provide multiple sessions, and each session will have its separate working space. After getting session, next step will be to create message producer and message consumer. Session acts as factory for message producers and consumers, so it is used to create message producers and consumers. Once message producer and consumers are created, now, these can be used to produce and consume the messages. Certainly, if you want to use Topic Publish/Subscribe model, you need to use Topic type of objects or otherwise you will use Queue type of objects.