What is JCL?

JCL ( Job Control Language ) is a script-like language used to execute (run) programs on IBM Mainframes. Programmers use JCL to create Jobs that execute their applications or some Vendor provided utility like creating files or sorting files.

The term Job or Batch Job refers to JCL that has been Submitted for execution under the Job Entry System (JES). JES manages how jobs execute and the resources they use. Unlike Online systems, as with CICS or the Web, Batch is a mode of execution that runs with minimum to no human intervention.

This job will EXECute the sort program that reads the file USER.TEST.DATA1 and creates a new sorted version of the file called USER.TEST.DATA1.SORT. The "DD" IN1 and OUT1 describe the attributes of these files.

JCL jobs are SUBMITTED for execution under the ISPF editor with the primary command "SUB". The job and it's DD's with the keyword "SYSOUT" are viewable under the the ISPF tool SDSF.

To learn more about JCL visit our Tech Library or Shop for Access to out mainframe to get hands-on experience writing JCL.