Programming via Shareport ida FS 250, Operator's Guide
8. Programming ida FS 250 - non-IPDS
The ida FS 250 works using a large number of internal Setup Functions (FSL Functions). FSL setup functions can be sent either from your IBM system or from a PC.
When the protocol converter has been installed and connected to a printer, you may have to consider the use of these setup options.
The factory default setup will meet the demands of most host systems and users, and special programming is therefore normally not required.
However, special circumstances may require changes in the pro gramming of the box. For full details on this please see the "5250 Programmer's Guide; D62079". In the Programmer's Guide you will find an extensive description of the FSL Functions with notes, comments and examples.
NOTE:
This section is a brief description of how to set up the interface with FSL functions from the line. The section is primarily aimed at users who are already familiar
8.1 The Escape Character
No escape character is defined when you receive the ida FS 250 from the factory. When you send FSL Functions via the data stream, the functions must be "separated" from the data stream, so that they are not printed. For this you need to define an Escape (ESC) Character.
The ESC Character tells the interface that the characters following the ESC Character in the data stream are to be regarded as a command. The command string must also end with the ESC Character .
Before you define the ESC Character please note the following:
∙Once the ESC character has been defined, it cannot be printed. For this reason you must select a character which will not normally appear in the data stream. If the character defined appears elsewhere in the data stream (i.e. outside an FSL Function), the interface will regard it as an ESC character and you will get a syntax error.
∙However, you need not have an ESC Character defined all the time. When it has served its purpose you can remove it again.