a language used to construct statements that identify a particular job to be run and specify the job's requirements to the operating system under which it will run.
Abbreviation: JCL.
Examples from the web for job control language
Develop operational and user procedures in appropriate job control language.
Verify that job control language scripts are under an appropriate level of configuration control.
job control language in Technology
language, operating system (JCL) IBM's supremely rudescript language, used to control the execution of programs in IBM OS/360's batch systems. JCL has a very fascistsyntax, 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 mainframeMVS programmer would admit ignorance of JCL. See also fear and loathing. (1999-03-03)