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Epic 880TM Programmers Notes
Windows Printer Driver
A Windows printer driver is a Microsoft specific, Microsoft defined, type of driver that the OS uses to translate drawing commands by a Windows application to a specific printer’s command set. A window’s printer driver is a graphics page mode driver. It is not a POS (Point of Sale) driver. (Have you ever had to open a cash drawer that was connected to your printer at home?)
PC Hardware
Window’s Operating System
Windows Print |
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|
Application |
| GDI |
|
| |
|
| Graphics |
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| Device |
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| Interface |
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| Part of |
|
| the |
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| Windows |
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| API |
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|
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Printer |
Driver |
Printer |
Driver |
Port Driver
Serial
OR Parallel
OR
USB
OR Whatever
Port Hardware
Serial
OR
Parallel
OR
USB bus.
OR Whatever.
Figure 32 Windows Driver
When to use a windows printer driver:
Use a printer driver when writing a program that uses the Window’s API to send print information to the printer.
When not to use a windows printer driver:
When a program wants to send printer command codes to the printer or when a program wants to get information back from a printer.
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