# DIGITAL Command Language

> command language adopted by several operating systems (OSs)

**Wikidata**: [Q427002](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q427002)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIGITAL_Command_Language)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/digital-command-language

## Summary
DIGITAL Command Language (DCL) is a command language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for use with operating systems like OpenVMS and RSX-11. It is classified as both a programming language and a command line interface language, designed to communicate instructions to machines in an imperative programming paradigm.

## Key Facts
- **Aliases**: DCL
- **Developer**: Digital Equipment Corporation (founded 1957)
- **Designed by**: Digital Equipment Corporation
- **Instance of**: Programming language, command line interface language
- **Operating systems**: OpenVMS (released 1977-10-25), RSX-11
- **Programming paradigm**: Imperative programming
- **Wikipedia title**: DIGITAL Command Language
- **Wikipedia languages**: Available in 7 languages (cs, de, en, fi, hu, it, zh_yue)
- **Sitelink count**: 7

## FAQs
### Q: What operating systems use DIGITAL Command Language?
A: DIGITAL Command Language is used with OpenVMS (released in 1977) and RSX-11.

### Q: Who developed DIGITAL Command Language?
A: It was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), an American company founded in 1957.

### Q: What type of programming language is DCL?
A: DCL is classified as both a programming language and a command line interface language, following an imperative programming paradigm.

### Q: Is DCL still in use today?
A: While DCL was primarily used with OpenVMS and RSX-11, its continued relevance depends on the legacy systems still running these operating systems.

### Q: What is the difference between DCL and other command languages?
A: DCL is distinct as it was specifically designed for DEC's operating systems, particularly OpenVMS, and is known for its imperative programming approach.

## Why It Matters
DIGITAL Command Language played a significant role in the early days of computing, particularly in the minicomputer era. Developed by Digital Equipment Corporation, DCL was designed to provide a structured way for users to interact with DEC's operating systems, such as OpenVMS and RSX-11. As a command line interface language, DCL allowed users to execute commands and manage system resources efficiently. Its imperative programming paradigm made it a practical tool for system administration and software development. While modern systems have largely moved away from such command languages, DCL remains a historical artifact of early computing, reflecting the evolution of operating systems and user interfaces.

## Notable For
- **Operating System Integration**: DCL was specifically designed for DEC's OpenVMS and RSX-11, making it a key component of those systems.
- **Imperative Programming**: It follows an imperative programming paradigm, focusing on executing commands in a step-by-step manner.
- **Historical Significance**: As part of DEC's legacy, DCL represents an early approach to command line interfaces in computing.
- **Multilingual Support**: The DCL Wikipedia page is available in seven languages, indicating its broader adoption and documentation efforts.
- **DEC's Influence**: The language's development by Digital Equipment Corporation highlights DEC's contributions to early computing technologies.

## Body
### Overview
DIGITAL Command Language (DCL) is a command language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) for use with its operating systems, including OpenVMS and RSX-11. It is classified as both a programming language and a command line interface language, designed to facilitate communication with machines through imperative programming.

### Development and History
- **Developer**: Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), an American company founded in 1957.
- **Designed by**: DEC, which was a leading manufacturer of minicomputers.
- **Operating Systems**: DCL was primarily used with OpenVMS (released on 1977-10-25) and RSX-11.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Paradigm**: DCL follows an imperative programming paradigm, focusing on executing commands in a step-by-step manner.
- **Aliases**: DCL is also known by its full name, DIGITAL Command Language.
- **Wikipedia Availability**: The DCL Wikipedia page is available in seven languages, including English, German, and Chinese (Yue).

### Significance
- **Historical Context**: DCL was significant in the minicomputer era, providing a structured way for users to interact with DEC's operating systems.
- **Legacy Systems**: While modern systems have largely moved away from such command languages, DCL remains a historical artifact of early computing.

### References and Identifiers
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02mb5k
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: sh89000717
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007536951605171
- **Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued)**: 2776269325

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "DIGITAL Command Language",
  "description": "Command language adopted by several operating systems (OSs)",
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## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File