The message data field in the MQSeries source definition defines the message data in the WebSphere MQ message. It contains one or more rows of message data that one program sends to another program through a message queue.

The message data field in has an MQ-specific datatype. When the PowerCenter Integration Service reads data from the message data field, it treats the message data as binary unless you define the message data with an associated source definition or use an XML Parser transformation.

The PowerCenter Integration Service treats the message data differently depending on the message data format. When the message data is binary, the PowerCenter Integration Service does not transform the message data. If the message data is flat file or COBOL, you define the message data in the repository with an associated source definition. If the message data is XML, use an XML Parser transformation. When you use an associated source definition or a XML Parser transformation in a mapping, the PowerCenter Integration Service reads data WebSphere MQ, transforms the message data, and then writes the output to a target.