JCL
from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
JCL
/J.C.L/, n.
1. IBM's supremely {rude} Job Control Language. JCL is the script
language used to control the execution of programs in IBM's batch
systems. JCL has a very {fascist} syntax, and some versions will, for
example, {barf} if two spaces appear where it expects one. Most
programmers confronted with JCL simply copy a working file (or card
deck), changing the file names. Someone who actually understands and
generates unique JCL is regarded with the mixed respect one gives to
someone who memorizes the phone book. It is reported that hackers at
IBM itself sometimes sing "Who's the breeder of the crud that mangles
you and me? I-B-M, J-C-L, M-o-u-s-e" to the tune of the Mickey Mouse
Club theme to express their opinion of the beast.
2. A comparative for any very {rude} software that a hacker is
expected to use. "That's as bad as JCL." As with {COBOL}, JCL is often
used as an archetype of ugliness even by those who haven't experienced
it. See also {IBM}, {fear and loathing}.
A (poorly documented, naturally) shell simulating JCL syntax is
available at the Retrocomputing Museum http://www.catb.org/retro/.
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Job Control Language
JCL
<language, operating system> (JCL) {IBM}'s supremely {rude}
{script} language, used to control the execution of programs
in IBM {OS/360}'s {batch} systems. JCL has a very {fascist}
{syntax}, and some versions will, for example, {barf} if two
spaces appear where it expects one.
Most programmers confronted with JCL simply copy a working
file (or {card deck}), changing the file names. Someone who
actually understands and generates unique JCL is regarded with
the mixed respect one gives to someone who memorises the phone
book. It is reported that hackers at IBM itself sometimes
sing "Who's the breeder of the crud that mangles you and me?
I-B-M, J-C-L, M-o-u-s-e" to the tune of the "Mickey Mouse
Club" theme to express their opinion of the beast.
As with {COBOL}, JCL is often used as an archetype of ugliness
even by those who haven't experienced it. However, no
self-respecting {mainframe} {MVS} programmer would admit
ignorance of JCL.
See also {fear and loathing}.
(1999-03-03)
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