Unlock the Door to Mainframe JCL Job Opportunities.
When you work in the Mainframe computing world, you must know JCL, which tells z/OS what resources are required to process a batch job or start a system task. The main goal of this article is to provide a general overview of the Mainframe Job Control Language (JCL). Additionally, it explains how JCL works with the system, JCL coding techniques, and some key statements and keywords. Finally, it shows a glimpse of our comprehensive JCL reference course published on Skillshare, Youtube and Udemy.
What is IBM's Mainframe?
Most Fortune 1000 companies, including most of the world’s largest corporations, rely on mainframe computers for the day-to-day operations of their businesses.
A mainframe is a key part of today’s e-business environment despite the widespread use of other forms of computing. Banking, finance, health care, insurance, public utilities, government, and a multitude of other public and private enterprises rely on mainframe computers.
What is JOB Control Language (JCL)?
The term JCL stands for Job Control Language. JCL is a scripting language used by IBM’s mainframe systems to instruct the systems on how to initiate a batch job or start an online subsystem particular, JCL specifies which programs to execute with which input and output devices, as well as whether or not there are additional conditions which need to be met before proceeding with the step.
There are three basic JCL statements:
- JOB: Provides a job name to the system that will be used for this batch workload. In addition to accounting information, there are a few job-related parameters that may be present.
- EXEC: Identifies a program to be executed. A job may contain more than one EXEC statement. These statements are referred to as job steps.
- DD: The Data Definition provides inputs and outputs to the execution program on the EXEC statement. Using this statement, you can link a data set or other I/O device or function with a ddname coding in the program. A DD statement is associated with a particular job step.
JCL Example:
//TPTRK99A JOB ‘TOPICTRICK’,MSGCLASS=A,CLASS=C,
// MSGLEVEL=(1,1),NOTIFY=&SYSUID
//*
//* THIS JCL IS TO INVOKE THE IEFBR14 UTILITY.
//*
//STEP01 EXEC PGM=IEFBR14
//MNTHFL DD DSN=Z03130.MNTHLY.INPUT.FILE,
// DISP=(NEW,CATLG,DELETE),
// DCB=(LRECL=80,RECFM=FB,DSORG=PO,BLKSIZE=800),
// SPACE=(CYL,(1,1),RLSE)
//SYSOUT DD SYSOUT=*
//
JCL details can be complex, but the general principles are quite straightforward. In addition, a small subset of JCL is used for at least 90% of the process.
This JCL course discusses all key concepts. Job Control Language is the language used to control z/OS. Therefore, if you’re a developer or operator who works with a mainframe running one of the operating systems, you need to understand JCL. Although programmers often get by with minimal JCL skills, the best ones acquire a solid set of skills as it helps them get more done in less time.
Free Mainframe JCL Course (JCL Tutorial): JOB Control Language Complete Reference.
The advanced version of this course is published on Skillshare and Udemy. Skillshare is free for the initial month. You can use the following link can be used to access this Mainframe JCL course.
Skillshare Link: https://skl.sh/3HG1RTH
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The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived. Mainframe JCL Complete Reference course is published on our Youtube Channel (i.e. topictrick). It’s the most comprehensive JCL course (JCL Tutorial) available on Youtube. The JCL Complete Reference Control Language (Mainframe JCL) is the advanced course version available on skillshare and Udemy. Let’s deep dive into the free JCL course.
