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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.