Printer Script Question

[Craig Rants]

I was editing the printer script in /etc/lp/interface/model.orig for a line printer and came across the following string \033%-12345X@PJL

I know what the \033 is for, but I cannot find any information as to what this sequence is for. The script needs this line to print, but also prints the line out on the page. Any ideas what this is for?

Thanks,
Craig

[S.K. Chan · Accepted solution]

I know for the fact that (with reference to net_lj4x script), the line is used to send "printer job language" to the printer. If that printer does not support or understand PJL, it'll not be able to intrepret the command and hence simply dump the code on the printout page. In my case I see this if I send a printout to a non-PJL supported printer.

[Jordan Bean]

I think what Chan is trying to say is that, although your line printer may support PCL5, it doesn't support PJL, so try the PCL4 interface script instead.

[Craig Rants]

Doing a little research on the printer job language i found this.

All PJL jobs must begin and end with a Universal Exit Language (UEL) command "Ec%-12345X". This command exits the current printer language and returns control to PJL.

Which is the same as "\033\c%12345X" so maybe I can get away with just "\033\c"

Thanks for the response.

Craig

[Gregory Fruth]

Looks like a PJL (Printer Job Language)
command. The printer's manual probably
lists some PJL commands. Failing that,
the following link might help:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpl04568&locale=en_US&docId=34434

[Bill Hassell]

PCL and PJL are separate languages. PCL referes to the content on the page itself, while PJL refers to the hardware. Things like bin selection (in or out), duplex and stapling options, and so on.

No, ESC c is not the same at all. The PJL escape sequence is used to exit the PCL code and send the codes to the PJL processor. New printers starting with the IIISi and higher have PJL capability. There are manuals for for PCL and PJL available (both are quire thick)

[MANOJ SRIVASTAVA]

Hi Craig

When we had vt100 terminals with local printers we use to use this code for ESC sequence only wiht 5i and 4i to enable and disable the local printing on the prarlelll port of the vt100 terminal


Manoj Srivatava