PRINTEST: printer test program

Description

Generates a print file that can be used to test printers. Tests include a full list of characters and their hexadecimal equivalents, underscored text, and carriage returns.

Categories

System Operation

Related files

PRINTEST: Object file for program.

User Instructions

This utility generates a print file that can be used to test the capabilities of printers and the effects of control characters in print files. Tests include: use of the carriage control and line feed options; effects of hexadecimal characters; use of expanded features (expanded print, etc.); alignment of characters and underscores; and the use of special carriage control characters. The completed print file can be used to test all of these effects.

To use, simply select the test to be performed from the menu and press the associated PF key. Enter a description of the test in the "Printer type" screen; this will appear as the heading of the print file. When all items have be selected and processed, exit the program and send the test print file generated by the program to the printer.

Programmer Instructions

Interactive use only.

Example of use

Use to create print files that can test the features and limitations of printers. For example, some matrix and laser printers will print expanded (double-width) characters when the hexadecimal value '20' is inserted into the first printer control character. The effects of other hexadecimal values can also be shown.

Comments

The MANUAL mode of the carriage return test set allows any hex characters to be used for print control characters. This could be used to test the effect of programs that manually construct these control codes.