Jump to content

Personal Printer Data Stream

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jacob Poon (talk | contribs) at 04:31, 13 April 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Personal Printer Data Stream is a general name for all IBM personal printer data streams, which includes all Proprinter, Quietwriter, Quickwriter, LaserPrinter 4019 and 4029 commands.

PPDS is introduced to control printers in 1981 with the launch of IBM Graphics Printer 5152. Oringinally called IBM ASCII, Proprinter, Quickwriter, or Quietwriter data stream, the name was changed to PPDS when the IBM LaserPrinter was introduced in 1989.

PPDS has different level of functions that are all upward compatible. PPDS has similar syntax as Printer Command Language versions 1 to 5 or Epson ESC/P command set.

PPDS levels

Level 1

Level 1 is the basic level of PPDS, providing the basic services needed by any printer. This level is represented by the 9­ and 24­pin Proprinter family of printers. Within this level, the typical differences among the printers are as follows:

  • Font Selection: The basic set of 10, 17.1 and 12 CPI is supported
  • Raster Graphics: Top image resolution was up to 72x240

Level 2

Level 2 incorporates enhancements in the font selection, print quality selection and paper handling. This level is represented by the Quietwriter and Quickwriter family of products. The following commands enable you to use these enhancements:

  • Select Font Global: Allows the IBM font global identifier to select fonts
  • Select Code page: Allows the IBM code page identifier to select the code page or character set
  • Page Presentation Media: Allows cut sheet and envelope feeding from one or more sources
  • Space Forward and Backward: Allows easier text justification

Level 3

Level 3 provides enhancements to the previous PPDS levels for page type printers, such as the IBM LaserPrinter 4019. The enhancements are:

  • Cursor positioning: Allows you to place text and images at any position on the page
  • Save and Manage Macros: Allows you to work with forms overlays and repetitive command sequences
  • Rule and Fill: Allows you to fill drawings with different patterns

Level 4

Level 4 adds new features of the IBM LaserPrinter 4029 to the previous PPDS levels. These features include compression, scalable fonts, and enhanced orientations.

  • Raster Image: Allows the compression and decompression of data
  • Comprehensive Font Selection: Added the support for scalable fonts
  • Set Print Angle: Adds support for different angles
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Personal_Printer_Data_Stream&oldid=48226929"