Print device definitions and printer forms

Creating or modifying print device definitions

If a device definition for your printer is not included among those provided with your application or with NetWare, you need to create your own definition. Each print device definition consists of functions and modes.

Printer functions (also referred to as ``control sequences, escape sequences'' or ``printer commands'') give instructions to the printer. To define a printer's functions, you enter control sequences or printer commands into the PRINTDEF database. To do this, you need the technical reference manual that came with your printer.

As a network supervisor, you can define or modify a printer's functions by completing the following steps.

From the PRINTDEF Available Options menu, select Print Devices.
The Print Device Options menu is displayed.
Select Edit Print Devices
The ``Defined Print Devices'' list is displayed.
(Optional) To delete an existing definition, highlight the definition and press <Del>.
(Optional) To modify and existing definition, highlight the definition and press <Enter>.
(Optional) To create a new device definition, press <Ins>. Type the name you want to assign to the new print device definition in the ``New Device Name'' entry box.
The name should be recognizable to users (for example, a brand name such as IBM ProPrinter), and it cannot be more than 32 characters in length.
The name of the printer you just typed is highlighted.
If you are creating or modifying a definition, press <Enter>.
Select Device Functions from the Device Options menu.
The ``Functions for Device printername'' list is displayed.
To add a new print function, press <Ins>
Type a name to identify the printer command in the ``Function Definition'' entry box and press <Enter>.
Function names must be unique (no two names can be the same) and no longer than 32 characters. Function names are not case sensitive. You can use both letters and numbers.
For example if you are defining the HP LaserJet and you want to include the print function for resetting the printer, you would type

Reset
The ``Control Sequence'' option is highlighted.
For detailed information on naming and defining print functions, use online Help.
Enter the control sequences or printer commands for the specified print device.
The documentation that came with the printer should have some information explaining printer commands. Consult that documentation.
Press <F1> for Help to see syntax used in creating definitions.
For example, to enter the HP LaserJet print function for reset, you would type

<Esc> E <Enter>
To save and insert the new control sequence into the ``Functions'' list, press <F10>.
NOTE: When you enter the print functions for a device, be sure to create a reset control function. This control sequence needs to be used to return the printer to a known state.
Repeat Steps 7 though 10 for each function or control sequence you want to enter.
(Optional) You may edit any of the device functions or control sequences. Press <Enter> to access the ``Function Definition'' screen, and modify as needed.
(Optional) To delete a function, highlight the function and press <Del>.
Press <F10> to save the modified function.
NOTE: Because NetWare can place the functions only at the beginning or end of a print job, the best functions to use are those that affect the entire document (such as Condensed or Landscape).