# remote job entry terminal

> computer terminal for remote submission of batch jobs to a mainframe, especially one which used punched cards for input/output

**Wikidata**: [Q24088987](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24088987)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/remote-job-entry-terminal

## Summary
A remote job entry terminal (RJE terminal) is a specific type of computer terminal used to submit batch jobs to a mainframe computer from a remote location. These devices historically utilized punched cards for input and output, allowing users to interact with central computing systems without being physically present at the main site. It is technically classified as a subclass of the broader computer terminal category.

## Key Facts
- **Also Known As:** RJE terminal.
- **Primary Function:** Remote submission of batch jobs to a mainframe.
- **Classification:** A subclass of "computer terminal" (an electronic or electromechanical hardware device for entering and displaying data).
- **Historical I/O:** Distinctively associated with the use of punched cards for input and output.
- **Notable Hardware (IBM 1030):** A remote job entry terminal system released by IBM in 1963.
- **Notable Hardware (IBM 2922):** An RJE terminal introduced by IBM in 1972.
- **Notable Hardware (IBM 2780/3780):** Specific models of IBM remote job entry terminals.
- **Notable Hardware (IBM 357):** A family of computer terminals and peripherals for industrial use, released in 1959.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of a remote job entry terminal?
A: The primary purpose is to allow the submission of batch jobs to a mainframe computer from a location remote to the central processing unit.

### Q: What type of input/output did these terminals typically use?
A: While they function as computer terminals, they are particularly noted for utilizing punched cards for input and output operations.

### Q: How does a remote job entry terminal relate to a standard computer terminal?
A: A remote job entry terminal is a specialized subclass of a computer terminal, which is defined broadly as an electronic or electromechanical device used for entering data into and displaying data from a computer.

## Why It Matters
The remote job entry terminal represents a critical evolution in the history of distributed computing. Before the advent of modern networking and personal computers, mainframes were central, expensive resources. The RJE terminal solved a significant logistical problem by decoupling the point of data entry from the physical location of the mainframe.

This technology enabled businesses and institutions to operate more efficiently by allowing work to be submitted from satellite locations—such as industrial floors or branch offices—rather than requiring operators to physically deliver punched cards to a central computer room. By facilitating the remote processing of "batch jobs" (accumulated sets of data processed all at once), RJE terminals laid the groundwork for modern client-server architectures. They were instrumental in industries requiring high-volume data processing, bridging the gap between the batch-processing era of the 1950s and the interactive computing era that followed.

## Notable For
- **Remote Batch Processing:** Enabling the submission of accumulated data batches to mainframes from distant locations.
- **Punched Card Integration:** Serving as a key hardware interface for systems relying on punched card technology.
- **Industrial Application:** Being utilized in industrial contexts (e.g., the IBM 357 family) alongside general computing.
- **IBM Ecosystem:** Existing as a distinct category of hardware within the IBM product lineage (1960s–1970s).

## Body
### Definition and Classification
A remote job entry terminal is an electronic or electromechanical hardware device classified as a subtype of the "computer terminal." Its defining capability is the remote submission of batch jobs to a mainframe. Unlike terminals designed solely for interactive text input, RJE terminals were often integrated with peripheral equipment to handle bulk data transfer.

### Hardware Characteristics
These terminals are historically linked to the era of batch processing. A key characteristic of RJE terminals, particularly in their early iterations, was the use of **punched cards** for input and output. This allowed data to be physically encoded and then transmitted to the mainframe for processing.

### Historical Development and Key Models
The development of RJE terminals spans the transition from physical data transport to electronic transmission.
*   **1959:** The **IBM 357** family was released. While a broader family of terminals and peripherals, it is noted as a class of computer terminal for industrial use that relates to the lineage of remote entry.
*   **1963:** IBM released the **IBM 1030**, a system explicitly identified as a remote job entry terminal system.
*   **1972:** The technology continued to evolve with the introduction of the **IBM 2922**, a dedicated Remote Job Entry terminal.
*   **Legacy Systems:** Other notable models in this category include the **IBM 2780** and **IBM 3780**, which served as standard remote job entry terminals for mainframe connectivity.

## Schema Markup
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