Interface method, system, and program product for facilitating layering of a data communications protocol over an active message layer protocol

A protocol interface system for a computing environment having an active message protocol for facilitating communications within the computing environment and a client process employing the active message protocol, the system comprising:

• an active message protocol for facilitating communications within the computing environment, the active message protocol including an interface to a header handler function associated with the client process, the interface comprising parameters to be passed from the active message protocol to the header handler function when processing a message received through the active message protocol and a parameter to be returned to the active message protocol from the header handler function in response thereto;
• the parameters to be passed comprising current message state information and current message type information for the message, the current message state information and the current message type information facilitating message-specific decisions by the header handler function about processing data of the message by the active message protocol;
• and
• the parameter to be returned, when received by the active message protocol, instructing the active message protocol on processing the message, the processing of the message being other than just storing the message.

At least one program storage device readable by a machine embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a protocol interface method for a computing environment having an active message protocol for facilitating communications within the computing environment and a client process employing the active message protocol, the method comprising:

• providing an interface to a header handler function associated with the client process, the interface comprising parameters to be passed from the active message protocol to the header handler function when processing a message received through the active message protocol and a parameter to be returned to the active message protocol from the header handler function in response thereto;
• the parameters to be passed comprising current message state information and current message type information for the message, the current message state information and the current message type information facilitating message-specific decisions by the header handler function about processing data of the message by the active message protocol;
• and
• the parameter to be returned, when received by the active message protocol, instructing the active message protocol on processing the message, the processing of the message being other than just storing the message.