Using DOS EDIT on an IBM PC to set up test files

Even if you are using some other environment, it can be helpful to verify that the printer and the form storage device are operating correctly. For example, assume you have a macro stored in the printer, with the ID number 123. Using EDIT, you can create a file containing <esc>&f123Y<esc>&f4X(message)<esc>&l0H and use the DOS command COPY filename.PRN LPTn /B (where filename is the name of the file and LPTn is the printer port number, normally LPT1) or COPY filename.PRN PRN /B to send the file to the printer. This command will cause form 123 to be selected and added to each sheet of paper printed by the printer, until a reset command is sent, and will cause the printer to print one page with the form overlaid on it and (message) in the upper left corner.

Printing from a Windows application normally sends a reset command, so the form will not overlay and the command will be cleared if you open a Windows application like Word or CorelDraw and print from it. (See also Calling forms from Windows applications through the Windows printer driver.)

Note: When entering PCL commands, be very careful to use the correct case (capital or small letters.) The commands are case-sensitive. Also, distinguish between lower-case letter l and digit 1, and between letter O and digit 0 (zero.)

• From the DOS prompt type: EDIT filename.PRN where filename is the name (including directory path) of the desired file.

• Hold down the key and  <Shift> key and tap the capital P key; still holding the key, release the <Shift> key and tap the lower-case [ key (the left square bracket.) Release the key. A left-pointing arrow should appear on the screen, indicating an escape character (referred to above as <esc>.)
• Type &f123Y
• Press -P[ again to enter the second escape character. (If you wish, you can highlight the first escape character and click Edit / Copy to copy it; then whenever you need one, just put the insertion point on the desired location and click Edit / Paste.)
• Type &f4X
• Type TEST PRINT (or other message of your choice.)
• Press -P[ once again for another escape character, or paste in another one as above.
• Type &l0H (ampersand, little L, zero, big H)
• Save the file and exit Edit by pressing <Alt-F>, <X>, and <Y> or clicking File / Exit / Yes (or File / Exit and <Enter>.)
• At the DOS command line, type:
  COPY filename.PRN PRN /B  or  COPY filename.PRN LPTn /B

where filename is the name of the file and LPTn is the printer port to which the printer is connected. The printer should eject a page with form #123 printed on it and TEST PRINT (or whatever message you entered) in the upper-left corner. To create a test file to print a different macro ID, substitute that ID number for 123 above, in the command <esc>&f123Y; the escape sequence for macro #nnn would be

<esc>&fnnnY<esc>&f4X(message)<esc>&l0H

where nnn is the desired macro ID number and (message) is the message (if any) you want in the upper-left corner.

To eliminate the TEST PRINT or other message, do not enter anything between &f4X and the third escape character. No printout will emerge when the file is copied to the printer, but the form still will overlay on anything printed (until the printer is reset.)

Questions:

• peter3518 at @spam@hotmail.com asks:

  SOY DE ARGENTINA. ME PODRIAN INFORMAR COMO PONER LOS CONTROLES DE MACROS PCL5 EN UN FORMULARIO IMPRE.PRN Y LUEGO EJECUTARLOS DESDE UN PROGRAMA COBOL?
  GRACIAS: PEDRO LUNA

  James Newton replies: Escape character in VMS COBOL+

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Comments:

• I am able to use a .prn file created in windows and print it
  using copy filename.prn lpt1 /b, but the above code does not
  feed a page out of my printer. I am thinking that my printer
  only understands pcl raster graphics because the .prn file is
  that way. James Newton of James Newton's Massmind replies: You may need to use E on the end rather than &l0H+

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