If your word processing program allows inserted codes, it will probably do standard printing without such codes. It is only for special features that you will need to use inserted codes. For example, if you want to have headings in wide bold printing (called expanded emphasized), you would probably have to use inserted codes. For the program we mentioned above you would type Control-V, then the code for expanded emphasized, Control-V again, and then the text of the heading. The codes for expanded emphasized are in Chapter 6 and Appendix B.

Again, if this sounds terribly complicated, don’t worry. Use your LX-80 with the standard features of your word processing program until you become more familiar with both of them. Then you can decide whether or not you need or want to learn to use inserted codes.

Programming Languages

If neither of the methods described above seems appropriate for your application, you can write a program in BASIC or any other programming language to send control codes to your printer. In the chapter on page formatting you will find examples of such programs. Just remember that with this method your printer control code stays in effect for the whole document you print. This method is good for setting margins, for example, but does not work for italicizing a word.

Now you have some background on how printers work and how software can communicate with them. Turn to the next chapters to learn about the specific features of your LX-80 printer.

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