HP 5Si NX, 5Si MX manual Drivers, What is a Driver?

	Drivers
	What is a Driver?
	A driver is a software program that enables your software applications to
	access your printer’s features. For example, when you print a document,
	the application sets up your print job with formatting commands such as
	page breaks, font selections, paper tray selections, and number of copies.
	The driver takes these commands, translates them into a printer language
	(such as Hewlett-Packard’s Printer Control Language (PCL) or Adobe’s
	PostScript), and then sends the job to the printer or printer. The driver’s
	interface allows you to select various printer features that other software
	applications don’t support directly, like automatic stapling.
	Typically, a driver must be installed on your computer for each printer or
	printer you are using.
	The information in this chapter applies to users of Windows (3.1x, NT,
N o t e
	or ‘95), OS/2, or the Macintosh OS. DOS applications must support
	advanced printers directly. Users of WordPerfect v 5.x-6.x for DOS can
	obtain a special driver from HP. Users of other DOS programs may be
	able to print using a program driver designed for an earlier model of HP
	LaserJet (or a PostScript driver), but may not be able to use some of the
	advanced features of the printer. UNIX systems also work differently -
	consult the documentation which accompanies the Printing System for
	UNIX.
	Most applications allow you to access the printer driver through the
	Properties, Print, Print Setup, or Page Setup commands. Print job
	settings selected through your application typically override equivalent
	settings made through the printer driver. Printer settings made in the
	application or printer driver typically override the corresponding setting
	made on the printer control panel.
	In some environments, the printer can send status information back to
	the operating system. This capability is called bi-directional
	communication, since information is sent to and from the printer. In a
	bi-directional environment, the optional printer accessories are detected
	and enabled in the driver automatically. In non-bi-directional
	environments, accessories that are installed in your printer need to be set
	manually in your driver.

3 Printer Software

EN

Printer Software 3-3