PJL with PCL or PS file question

Question

PJL with PCL or PS file question

megahobnob (Programmer)

(OP)

9 Sep 15 18:23

In PJL is it possible to switch languages based on what the printer supports.

i.e. I add both PCL and PS code to the print file and the printer decides. I won't know what it supports as it's used on multiple printers some PS and some PCL.

is it possible with a command??? thanks.

below sends two jobs:-

<ESC>%–12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ** Beginning PCL Job ** <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>
@PJL SET LPARM : PCL SYMSET = DESKTOP <CR><LF>
<ESC>E . . . . PCL job . . . .<ESC>E
~<ESC>%–12345X@PJL COMMENT End PCL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Ready for PostScript Job <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE ... PostScript print job ... ^D
~<ESC>%–12345X

DansDadUK (Programmer) · Answer 1 · 2015-09-10 13:03:16

The target printer must support the target Page Description Language which is specified in the @PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = xxx command, otherwise the effect is undefined.

... and you are of course assuming that the printer supports PJL (most LaserJet devices do, except perhaps for the cheaper 'host-based' or 'mobile' printers)

megahobnob (Programmer) · Answer 2 · 2015-09-10 13:21:36

but the problem is say I have 10 printers and ALL support PJL but some are postscript only and some are PCL only.

can I combine both print languages into one print job and let the printer decide which it supports with PJL?

DansDadUK (Programmer) · Answer 3 · 2015-09-11 09:30:53

>> ... can I combine both print languages into one print job and let the printer decide which it supports with PJL? ...

No.

You are effectively sending two print jobs.

Depending on which PDLs the printer supports you may get:

Both jobs printed - i.e. your data printed twice.
One job printed successfully; the other may cause garbage to be printed (perhaps over hundreds of pages), or may even cause the printer to fail, and (perhaps) automatically reboot.
Neither job printed successfully; again, what gets printed, etc. is somewhat undefined.

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PJL with PCL or PS file question