If you’re using control codes to select printer functions for an application program or programming language, check the documentation. Different programs and languages use different methods of sending printer commands. The second half of this chapter covers this process more thoroughly

Naming and using commands

In order to use printer commands, you should know how they are recognized by your application program. The most common way of naming codes or commands is with one of two numbering systems, decimal or hexadecimal.

The decimal system is the standard numbering system based on units of ten, using the numbers O-9.

The hexadecimal, or hex, system is based on units of 16, and is often used by programmers. Instead of using only the numerals 0 through 9, the hex system also uses the fetters A through E For example, the decimal numbers 9, 10, 11, and 12 are 09, O9, OA, and OC in hex.

The most frequently used hexadecimal numbers lie in the range 0 to

FFhex (0 to 255 in decimal). Its common to write hexadecimal numbers that are less than 16 with a zero in front.

In this book, hex numbers are distinguished from decimal numbers by the word hex after them (for example, 1B hex). Other common ways of denoting a hexadecimal number are:

1BH $lB &lB &HlB <(1B>H

The Command Summary and the Quick Reference Card give both the decimal and hex numbers for each command.

Setting Up Application Programs

Some application programs require nothing more than selecting the correct printer. Other programs, however, require specific information to take full advantage of a printers features.

Because there are literally thousands of application programs available, only three general categories are addressed here: Word

Using the LQ-2500 with Application Programs

4-3