Suggestions for learning DCL on OpenVMS:
o Talk to your manager.
o If you learn from reading and doing, wander over to the OpenVMS documentation web site, and download the OpenVMS User's Guide, and take some time to skim and understand material described there. If you learn from classroom materials, ask your manager for support.
o As for "doing", acquire login access to Deathrow, Encompasserve or other network-accessible OpenVMS site, and learn about DCL commands and procedures there. Use these sites to learn. Details in the OpenVMS FAQ.
o Locate and read any of the available DCL tutorial sites and documents listed in the OpenVMS FAQ.
o For more advanced DCL work, find a copy of the book I wrote (the book goes in and out of print) called Writing Real Programs in DCL 2nd Ed. This book includes what I believe is an extensive introduction to DCL, as well as an example menu system.
o As you become more proficient with DCL and as you seek to work within your existing environment, you will want to contact your local support staff and request (read) access to the DCL and tools involved. You will also want to engage their support.
Surprise your manager and the local IT and management and security staff at your own peril. Continuing to follow a course of questions such as that of this thread will likely cause a degree of skepticism among IT and security and management folks. Offer enthusiasm and assistance and increasing DCL skills and openness, and you can potentially make your manager and your IT team look better. And you can improve your skills, and your value.
