Printronix ThermaLine Series manual Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields

Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields

Purpose The incremental fields feature updates alphanumeric (and bar code) data fields in a numeric or alphabetical manner automatically using just one set of data sent from the host computer. Incremental alphanumeric data fields can be applied to fixed (static) data (page 4±22), or dynamic data (page 4±25).

Mode CREATE (for fixed data) or EXECUTE (for dynamic data)

NOTE: Throughout the discussion of incremental fields, the term ªincrementº or ªincrementalº means the field is automatically updated by a specified amount (or increment). The field can actually be increased/decreased in specified increments/decrements within the command.

Comments Incremental fields can increase or decrease, repeat at specified intervals before updating, and reset to the starting value after a specified number of increments. A maximum of 65,535 fields can print.

Using Incremental Alphanumeric Data

The IGP/PGL internally counts incremental static (fixed) alphanumeric fields. A maximum of 255 incremental fixed alphanumeric fields are allowed per form.

Incrementing is controlled with the STEPMASK and STARTDATA command parameters as described in Table 4±1. The parameters are part of the Incremental Alphanumeric Fixed Data command or part of the Execute command when using incremental alphanumeric dynamic data.

The STEPMASK parameter performs the following three functions:

1.It defines the increment amount (step);

2.It defines the number of characters allowed in the data field (STARTDATA); and

3.It provides a ªmaskº to link or unlink subfields of the data to be incremented independently. The data provided in the STEPMASK field combined with the data in the STARTDATA field determine the result of these functions.

4±18 Commands