A process receives SYSADMIN status if it is running under a usercode that has the SYSADMIN usercode attribute set. SYSADMIN status enables a process to use the DCKEYIN, GETSTATUS, and SETSTATUS functions in DCALGOL, even if the process does not have privileged status. A process can use these functions to submit system commands and perform other system operations.

A process with SYSADMIN status can invoke the SETSTATUS call of the SYSADMIN command to change the list of system commands that are restricted for use by SYSADMIN users and tasks with SYSADMIN status. However, certain restrictions can apply on a system running the Secure Identification Facility.

A process with SYSADMIN status can successfully use the DCKEYIN function to invoke the SYSADMIN command.