A common command language has been proposed for use by systems designers and those developing new user interfaces. There is controversy over the appropriateness of a standard command language, and those who are working in artificial intelligence believe that natural language interfaces will make it unnecessary for users to learn such a language, while systems developers and those working on gateway systems welcome a standard command language because it will make system linkages easier both for systems developers and for users. The NISO (National Information Standards Organization) Subcommittee Z39G was established to specify a common command language applicable to all types of machine readable data for use with databases. The intent was to define a vocabulary and syntax without specifying the operation of the underlying system. The language uses simple everyday English words, usually verbs, with a minimum of punctuation. The draft Command Language Standard is presented in this paper together with comments on the approach and the resulting language. (Author/MES)