Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!oddjob!mimsy!umd5!uvaarpa!mcnc!xanth!kent From: kent@xanth.UUCP (Kent Paul Dolan) Newsgroups: comp.protocols.misc,comp.protocols.iso,comp.protocols.tcp-ip Subject: Re: Standard for Printers Message-ID: <3564@xanth.UUCP> Date: Wed, 25-Nov-87 06:43:13 EST Article-I.D.: xanth.3564 Posted: Wed Nov 25 06:43:13 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 29-Nov-87 11:32:12 EST References: <135@tsdiag.UUCP> Reply-To: kent@xanth.UUCP (Kent Paul Dolan) Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va. Lines: 33 Keywords: very useful, allows printr independent appolications programs Summary: Check out the one used by the Amiga Xref: mnetor comp.protocols.misc:186 comp.protocols.iso:9 comp.protocols.tcp-ip:1878 Gorden, I don't know how much of a standard you want, but if you are looking for something that works well in practice, look into the method used by Commmodore in their Amiga line of computers. They have chosen or designed a device neutral language for printing commands that all adhering programs use to "talk printer". Then, for each printer type, the vendor designs a printer driver that reads this device neutral format printer code and converts it to the commands for that specific printer. The device neutral language seems quite powerful, and it covers both character mode and (for raster printers) graphics mode commands. The details are in: Amiga Rom Kernal Reference Manual, Libraries and Devices, Commodore Business Machines, Inc., Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., ISBN 0-201-11078-4, US$34.95. See especially the table of commands beginning on page e-38 and the one on e-41. The "standard" seems to be a mix of ANSII x3.64 and DEC usages, plus some stuff home brewed by Commodore. As I say, it works VERY well, and I wish more micro manufacturers would adopt it, because it uncouples applications programs from the printer drivers, making all programs usable with (almost) all printers. I know it has allowed a mix of Daisy Wheel, 9 pin raster, 24 pin raster, laser, and ink-jet printers for the Amiga with no change to applications programs. Kent, the man from xanth.