The main difference between ActiveMQ and WebSphere MQ is that ActiveMQ is an open-source multi-protocol supported message broker written in Java language, while WebSphere MQ is a message-oriented middleware product that allows applications to communicate in different computing environments.
Generally, Message broker is an intermediate computer program module that helps to convert a sender’s message from the formal message protocol to the receiver’s formal messaging protocol. ActiveMQ is an example of a message broker. On the other hand, Message-oriented middleware (MOM) is a software or hardware infrastructure that helps to send and receive messages between distributed systems. WebSphere MQ is a MOM.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is ActiveMQ
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Websphere MQ
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between ActiveMQ and Websphere MQ
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
ActiveMQ, Message Broker, Message-oriented Middleware, Websphere MQ
What is ActiveMQ
ActiveMQ is an open source message broker written in Java. It consists of Java Message Service (JMS) client. LogicBlaze initially developed ActiveMQ in 2004. Later, Apache Software Foundation obtained the code and the trademark in 2007. ActiveMQ supports communication from more than one client or server. Also, it supports various transport protocols such as OpenWire, STOMP, MQTT, AMQP, REST and WebSockets. Furthermore, it supports languages and platforms such as C, C++, .NET and Python.
Moreover, IoT devices utilize ActiveMQ. Also, it helps in enterprise service bus implementations such as Mule and Apache ServiceMix. Apache Camel and Apache CXF in SOA are other ActiveMQ based projects. Furthermore, Amazon Web Services offers managed message broker service for Apache ActiveMQ called Amazon MQ.
What is WebSphere MQ
WebSphere MQ is a messaging for applications. It helps to send messages to various components across the network. Also, it is capable of handling various processors, operating systems, subsystems and communication protocols to exchange messages. Besides, if the connection or processes is not available at a particular time, then WebSphere MQ stores the messages in a queue and forwards it when the connection is available.
Moreover, WebSphere supports two messaging types, which are the point to point and publish-subscribe messaging. An application has programming interfaces and programming languages to connect to WebSphere MQ to send and receive messages. Furthermore, an application can publish messages to many subscribers over multicast.
Some core components of WebSphere are as follows.
Message – It is a set of binary or character data required by a particular program.
Queue – It is an object that stores messages of an application.
Queue Manager – It is a system service that provides a logical container for the message queue. Also, it sends data to other queue managers via message channels. Moreover, the queue manager handles storage, timing issues, and triggers that are not directly associated with moving data.
In overall, the WebSphere MQ provides multiple advantages such as on-time delivery and asynchronous messaging. Also, it supports a range of APIs and provides clustering for load balancing.
Difference Between ActiveMQ and WebSphere MQ
Definition
ActiveMQ is an open source message broker written in Java and contains a full Java Message Service (JMS) client. On the other hand, WebSphere MQ is a messaging middleware that enables applications to communicate at different times and in many diverse computing environments. Thus, this explains the difference between ActiveMQ and WebSphere MQ.
Developer
Moreover, the Apache Software Foundation developed ActiveMQ while IBM developed WebSphere MQ.
Conclusion
The main difference between ActiveMQ and WebSphere MQ is that the ActiveMQ is an open-source multi-protocol supported message broker written in Java language while WebSphere MQ is a message-oriented middleware product to allow applications to communicate in different computing environments.
References:
1.“Apache ActiveMQ.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 May 2019, Available here.
2.“IBM MQ.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 May 2019, Available here.
3.IBM Knowledge Center, Available here.
4.“Message-Oriented Middleware.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Dec. 2018, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Wordmark of IBM” By Paul Rand (A note on IBM website) – Captured from the front page of the IBM Notice of 2007 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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