Overview

Command procedures are text files containing DCL commands that DCL executes sequentially. Much like a program, command procedures provide for branching, subroutines, comparisons, and variables (in the form of symbols).

Command procedures may be executed directly by an interactive user, or they may be submitted to a batch queue for execution at a specified time.

   $ !   $ ! EXAMPLE1.COM, an example command procedure.   $ !   $ show time       ! Display the system time   $ wait 00:00:10   ! Wait for 10 seconds   $ show time       ! Display the time again   $ exit            ! And we're done.

This procedure, called EXAMPLE1.COM, displays the current time, waits 10 seconds, and then displays the time again. When executed, this procedure produces output like the following:

    $ <b class="bold">@EXAMPLE1</b>      29-OCT-2002 17:15:42      29-OCT-2002 17:15:52

Note that only messages generated by the commands are shown. To cause each line of your procedure to be echoed (displayed) as it is executed, place the SET VERIFY command in your procedure or issue the SET VERIFY command at your terminal before executing the procedure. Use SET NOVERIFY to suppress it.

    $ <b class="bold">SET VERIFY</b>    $ <b class="bold">@EXAMPLE1</b>