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Ask the right questions to secure the right DCL talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.
DCL (Digital Command Language) is a scripting language developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the 1970s. It was primarily designed for command and control functions in the VAX/VMS operating system. According to the Computer History Museum, DCL was instrumental in the success of DEC's VAX computers, as it provided a powerful, yet user-friendly interface. The language provided a standard method for tasks such as starting and stopping system services, managing files, and handling errors. Despite the decline of VAX systems, DCL remains in use today in OpenVMS systems, demonstrating its enduring utility and adaptability.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
I would use the ON control structure to catch and handle errors. This allows me to specify a block of code that will be executed when an error occurs. I can also use the MESSAGE command to display a custom error message.
DCL is specifically designed for the OpenVMS operating system, while other scripting languages like Python or Bash are more general-purpose. DCL has a unique syntax and command set that is tailored for system administration tasks on OpenVMS.
Some common DCL commands I use include DIR, TYPE, DELETE, RENAME, COPY, and SET. These commands are used for file and directory management.
First, I would identify the steps of the routine task. Then, I would write a DCL script using the appropriate commands and control structures to automate these steps. I would also include error checking and logging to ensure the script runs smoothly.
I have been working with DCL for over 5 years. I have used it in various projects, including system administration, automation, and scripting.
The tech industry is always evolving, so it's important that a developer can pick up new technologies and languages quickly.
Version control is an important part of any development process, and a good DCL developer should have experience with it.
Communication is key in any role, but especially in development where complex ideas often need to be explained clearly and concisely.
A good DCL developer should be comfortable with the development environment and be able to navigate it efficiently.
Problem-solving is a key skill for any developer. The candidate should have given examples of how they have solved complex problems in their previous roles.
This is crucial as DCL commands are fundamental to DCL development. The candidate should be able to explain and give examples of how they have used these commands in their previous work.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
A DCL procedure is a sequence of DCL commands that is stored in memory and can be executed by name. A DCL command file is a text file that contains DCL commands and can be executed using the @ command.
Some advanced features of DCL include the ability to create and manage subprocesses, the ability to interact with the OpenVMS system services, and the ability to use lexical functions to retrieve system information.
I would use DCL commands like DIR, TYPE, DELETE, RENAME, and COPY to manage files and directories. I can also use the F$FILE function to retrieve file attributes.
Global symbols are available throughout the entire DCL session, while local symbols are only available within the procedure where they are defined. Global symbols are defined using the SYMBOL command, while local symbols are defined using the LOCAL command.
Some best practices include using comments to document the script, using meaningful names for symbols and labels, handling errors properly, and testing the script thoroughly before deployment.
A skilled DCL engineer should demonstrate strong technical proficiency in DCL commands, a keen understanding of database structures, and good problem-solving abilities. Red flags include lack of detail in their responses, inability to explain complex concepts, or lack of practical experience with real-world DCL applications.
GRANT SELECT ON employees TO user1;REVOKE UPDATE ON employees FROM user1;GRANT SELECT, INSERT ON employees TO user1 WITH GRANT OPTION;REVOKE ALL PRIVILEGES ON employees FROM user1;GRANT SELECT ON employees TO PUBLIC;REVOKE DELETE ON employees FROM PUBLIC;The final few interview questions for a DCL candidate should typically focus on a combination of technical skills, personal goals, growth potential, team dynamics, and company culture.
I have written complex DCL scripts for system administration tasks such as batch processing, file management, and system monitoring. These scripts included advanced features like subprocess management, error handling, and interaction with system services.
I would use the SYS$QIOW and SYS$QIO system services to perform I/O operations. I can also use the SYS$GETJPI and SYS$GETSYI system services to retrieve job and system information.
The PIPE command allows you to execute multiple DCL commands in a single command line, with the output of one command serving as the input for the next. The SPAWN command creates a new DCL subprocess and executes a command or procedure in that subprocess.
Some DCL lexical functions I use frequently include F$GETSYI, which retrieves system information, F$FILE, which retrieves file attributes, and F$SEARCH, which searches for files.
I would use the SPAWN command to create a subprocess. I can then use the SET PROCESS/IDENTIFICATION command to switch between the parent process and the subprocess. I can also use the STOP/IDENTIFICATION command to terminate a subprocess.
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