PDL principles and procedures
1-32 Using LCDS Print Description Language
Input data
Before starting to develop the JSL for your application, you
should know the following information about the input data.
• The input source, such as:
– The host that supports the 3211 or 4245 host interface
– Open reel or cartridge tape, which are offline devices
– System disk
– Combination of two or more of these sources
• Computer on which the data was created
• Block and record lengths and structure
• Code in which the data is encoded, such as ASCII and
EBCDIC
• How printer carriage control (PCC) information should be
processed
• For tapes: the label format used
Output specifications
Before starting to develop the JSL for your application, you must
know the following about the printed output.
• Will you modify an existing JSL or create a new one?
• Will the orientation be landscape (horizontal) or portrait
(vertical)? (Refer to “Page orientation,” later in this chapter,
for an explanation of these terms.)
• Will you use more than one type or color of stock in the print
job?
• What fonts will be used?
• Will you use a form? If so, you need to specify the form in
your JSL. If do not have an existing form that you can use,
you will need to create it and load it onto the system disk.
You may specify the first form for your job in the Queue
Manager, LCDS Setup, Output, or On-line Job Manager
windows on the controller, when you are ready to print. This
form selection overrides any initial form specified in the JSL.
(If you do not specify an Initial Form at the user interface, the
form defined in the JSL is used.)
• What paper sizes will be used?
