Main Frame JCL Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to Main Frame Job Control Language (JCL).

JOB

A Job control statement that specifies the parameters for job execution.

EXEC

Specifies the program to be executed within a step.

DD (Data Definition)

Defines datasets and their attributes in JCL, including how they should be handled.

DSN (Data Set Name)

The name assigned to a data set, used to identify it in JCL.

DISP (Disposition)

Indicates the status of a dataset and how it should be handled after a job step completes.

RLSE (Release)

Requests that unused space allocated to an output dataset should be released upon closure.

MSGCLASS

Assigns the job's log to an output class for handling by the system.

NOTIFY

Specifies a user ID to be notified upon completion of the job.

REGION

Defines the amount of virtual storage a job can utilize.

TYPRUN

Controls the execution of a job, such as holding it or scanning syntax.

COND (Condition Code)

Specifies job step execution conditions based on the return codes of previous steps.

STEPLIB

Specifies libraries where the system can find programs needed for execution.

PARM

Used to pass parameters to a program during execution.

DCB (Data Control Block)

Describes the data characteristics of a dataset in JCL.

SDSF (System Display and Search Facility)

Utility to monitor and control job outputs.

PDS (Partitioned Data Set)

A dataset that contains members, organizing JCL jobs effectively.

GDG (Generation Data Group)

A collection of related datasets distinguished by generation numbers.

PROCEDURE

A set of reusable JCL statements defined in a library, allowing for coded calls instead of repetitive statements.

INSTREAM DATA

Data that is provided directly within the JCL without being stored in a dataset.

DUMMY

A placeholder used in JCL to signify the absence of a dataset.

SYSOUT

Specifies where to send the output from a job, usually linked to a printer or spool.

JCLLIB

Specifies library datasets containing procedures and includes them when executing JCL.

LABEL

Specifies a pointer in JCL statements indicating the start of a new section or step.