Hi,

On our AIX 4.3, we have old programs that generate some ascii files
containing escape codes, and those files are sent to dot matrix printers
who recognize those codes and interpret them as bold, italic, page feed,
change of density, and so on...

We would like to know if it is possible to send those files to laser
printers?
If yes, is it necessary to convert the files, and in that case, in what
format ?

--
Nicolas Ecarnot

Nicolas Ecarnot wrote:
> Hi,
>
> On our AIX 4.3, we have old programs that generate some ascii files
> containing escape codes, and those files are sent to dot matrix printers
> who recognize those codes and interpret them as bold, italic, page feed,
> change of density, and so on...
>
> We would like to know if it is possible to send those files to laser
> printers?
> If yes, is it necessary to convert the files, and in that case, in what
> format ?
>

Usually laser printers allow ASCII stream and do some sort of handling
of those escape sequences ( I've seen bold and italics done correctly )
but it greatly depend on manufacturer's choices.
Try with a little file with just few escapes and reuse sheets if they
are spitted out white
If conversion is needed then PostScript or PCL are the usual formats.
The enscript command does ASCII to Postscript.
Again check printer's docs.

The queing system itself should also be able to handle this sort of
conversion, since it uses these same tools.

--
Alberto 'JCN-9000' Varesio AKA BlueRider AIX pSeries System Admin
Datavision PLM - Tel: +390117710276 Biker on HONDA CB500 - LHG
http://www.datavisionplm.com Jeeper on Sport TJ - Wave
Please http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html, thanks!
==
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