Definition

1. Noun:
   • A source language consisting of procedural operators that invoke functions to be executed: A command language is a type of computer programming or scripting language where the primary instructions are commands. These commands are procedural operators that tell a system to perform specific, predefined functions or tasks.

Usage

• A command language is used to control the operation of a computer system, an application, or a utility program by issuing a sequence of commands.
• It is often employed in operating system shells, job control languages, and for automating repetitive tasks through scripts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The system administrator wrote a script in the command language to automate the backup process.
  • DOS and Unix shell scripts are classic examples of using a command language.
  • Understanding the command language is essential for efficient interaction with the mainframe.

Advanced Usage

• "Job control language (JCL)": A specific type of command language used to control batch processing on mainframe systems.
  • She needed to learn JCL, the command language for the IBM mainframe, to submit her jobs.
• "Shell scripting": The practice of writing sequences of commands for a shell (a command-line interpreter) to execute.
  • Automating file management is easily done through shell scripting in a Unix command language.

Variants and Related Words

• Command interpreter (n): A program that reads and executes commands issued by the user in a command language. Often called a shell.
  • The command interpreter parsed the command language instructions and executed the program.
• Scripting language (n): A broader category that often includes command languages but may also refer to more full-featured languages for automating tasks.
  • While Python is a powerful scripting language, traditional batch files use a simpler command language.

Synonyms

• Control language: A language used to direct the operations of a system.
• Job control language (JCL): Specifically for batch job control on mainframes.
• Shell language: The command language specific to an operating system's shell.

Related Phrases

• Command-line interface (CLI): A user interface where the user interacts with the system by typing commands in a command language.
  • He preferred the command-line interface because he was fluent in its command language.
• Batch file: A script file containing a series of commands in a command language for a command-line interpreter.
  • She created a batch file to automate the software installation using the Windows command language.

Noun

1. a source language consisting of procedural operators that invoke functions to be executed