job control language

A specialised language, the job control language (JCL), is used to control the execution of a job in a computer. It enables the operators to specify the requirements of a job (such as which printer to use) when the job is executed. The programmer does not need to deal with these decisions when writing programs. A job control language also enables a series of small jobs to be linked together and executed in one larger and more efficient operation.

Related terms

Term sub categories

Software
   systems software