In JCL terminology on IBM mainframes, what is the standard name used for the return code that indicates the outcome of a completed job or step?

Introduction / Context:
On IBM mainframes, batch jobs are controlled by JCL and each step produces a status code when it completes. This status code is important for operations and for subsequent steps, which may execute or be skipped depending on success or failure. In JCL terminology, this status or return code has a specific common name. The question asks what that name is.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are dealing with completed JCL job steps.
• Each step returns a numeric code to indicate success, warning, or error conditions.
• JCL provides ways to test this code in conditional processing.
• We are looking for the traditional term used by mainframe programmers.

Concept / Approach:
The standard term for the return code in JCL is condition code. It is often abbreviated as COND code or RC in documentation and tooling. JCL statements such as COND or IF compare the condition code produced by a step to decide whether subsequent steps should run. Typical condition codes include zero for success and nonzero values for various levels of error or warning. This is distinct from concepts like job keys or execution tokens that may exist for other purposes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the numeric status returned by a job step is commonly referred to as the condition code. Step 2: Recognize that JCL conditional processing uses this condition code to control flow. Step 3: Option a explicitly states condition code and mentions common abbreviations. Step 4: Review other options and see that job key, execution token, dispatch number, and print code do not describe this status. Step 5: Select option a as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
JCL manuals and operator guides often refer to statements like COND or IF RC EQ 0, where RC stands for return code or condition code. Job logs show messages including the condition code at the end of each step. This confirms that condition code is the accepted term for the JCL return code.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b, job key, is more about job identity than success or failure. Option c, execution token, is not a standard JCL term for step status. Option d, dispatch number, describes scheduling information but not outcome. Option e, print code, is unrelated to job or step success.

Common Pitfalls:
Some new users may see RC in job logs and not realize it stands for return code or condition code. Others might confuse application level error codes printed inside output with the JCL condition code. Understanding that the condition code is the numeric status used by the system for control flow helps clarify these distinctions.

Final Answer:
The JCL return code is commonly called the condition code, as given in option a.