Message-oriented middleware, also known as MOM, provides rules-based
message routing capabilities. Typically, message-oriented products offer a basic set of commands with which to communicate over a
network. Application developers create application-specific functions or routines built on top of these basic functions. The
message-oriented
API[1] is provided for whatever network transports are actually
supported by the vendor, not just one single protocol. MOM is based on a peer-to-peer relationship between
message queues[2] that are managed by a common broker.
Message-brokering technology enables request-and-reply constructs
to be handled asynchronously, which guarantees the delivery and integrity of messages between applications and components.
[1]API: A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. Good APIs make it easier to develop a program by providing all needed building blocks.
[2]Message queue: Some messaging systems use a temporary storage facility, called a message queue, to store messages indefinitely. A message queuing system enables applications to communicate even though they may not be running at the same time.