WebSphere WebSphere Business Integration Message Service Clients for C/C++ and .NET, Version 1.2 Operating Systems: Linux, Solaris, Windows

Attributes and properties of objects

An XMS object can have attributes and properties, which are characteristics of the object. Attributes and properties, however, are implemented in different ways.

Attributes
An attribute of an object is always present and occupies storage, even if the attribute does not have a value. In this respect, an attribute is similar in concept to a field in a fixed length data structure. Another distinguishing feature is that each attribute has its own methods for setting and getting its value.
Properties
A property of an object is present and occupies storage only after its value is set. However, a property cannot be deleted, and the storage recovered, after its value has been set, although you can change its value. Each individual property does not have its own methods for setting and getting its value. Instead, XMS provides a set of generic methods for setting and getting the values of properties.
Related concepts
XMS primitive types
Implicit conversion of a property value from one data type to another
Related reference
Data types for elements of application data

Concept topic

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Last updated: 25 Oct 2006

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