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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><title>JCL</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="../../jargon.css" type="text/css"/><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.61.0"/><link rel="home" href="../index.html" title="The Jargon File"/><link rel="up" href="../J.html" title="J"/><link rel="previous" href="Java.html" title="Java"/><link rel="next" href="JEDR.html" title="JEDR"/></head><body><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header"><tr><th colspan="3" align="center">JCL</th></tr><tr><td width="20%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="Java.html">Prev</a> </td><th width="60%" align="center">J</th><td width="20%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="JEDR.html">Next</a></td></tr></table><hr/></div><dt><a id="JCL"/><dt xmlns="" id="JCL"><b>JCL</b>: <span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="pronunciation">/J·C·L/</span>, <span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="grammar">n.</span></dt></dt><dd><p> 1. IBM's supremely <a href="../R/rude.html"><i class="glossterm">rude</i></a> Job Control Language.
JCL is the script language used to control the execution of programs in
IBM's batch systems. JCL has a very <a href="../F/fascist.html"><i class="glossterm">fascist</i></a> syntax,
and some versions will, for example, <a href="../B/barf.html"><i class="glossterm">barf</i></a> 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 &#8220;<span class="quote">Who's the breeder
of the crud that mangles you and me? I-B-M, J-C-L, M-o-u-s-e</span>&#8221; to
the tune of the <i class="citetitle">Mickey Mouse Club</i> theme to express
their opinion of the beast. </p></dd><dd><p> 2. A comparative for any very <a href="../R/rude.html"><i class="glossterm">rude</i></a> software
that a hacker is expected to use. &#8220;<span class="quote">That's as bad as JCL.</span>&#8221; As
with <a href="../C/COBOL.html"><i class="glossterm">COBOL</i></a>, JCL is often used as an archetype of
ugliness even by those who haven't experienced it. See also
<a href="../I/IBM.html"><i class="glossterm">IBM</i></a>,
<a href="../F/fear-and-loathing.html"><i class="glossterm">fear and loathing</i></a>.</p></dd><dd><p>A (poorly documented, naturally) shell simulating JCL syntax is
available at the Retrocomputing Museum <a href="http://www.catb.org/retro/" target="_top">http://www.catb.org/retro/</a>.</p></dd><div class="navfooter"><hr/><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer"><tr><td width="40%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="Java.html">Prev</a> </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="u" href="../J.html">Up</a></td><td width="40%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="JEDR.html">Next</a></td></tr><tr><td width="40%" align="left" valign="top">Java </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="h" href="../index.html">Home</a></td><td width="40%" align="right" valign="top"> JEDR</td></tr></table></div></body></html>