Escape sequences ??

[InOverMyHead]

How can I send escape sequences to a (PCL-5 LaserJet) printer. Maybe a
command-line entry?? or put into a batch file? [Didn't we used to embed
these things in Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets to get the right orientation &
font? Wow - that was a long time ago.]

For example, to eject a page - <Esc>?&l0H

Is there any little utility program that will pass the common sequences to a
printer? Or is it a hex editor I need? If so, how do I enter the <Esc> ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

<ESC>E<ESC>(s12HBob<ESC>E

 

[Christoph Lindemann]

You can use "Downloader 2006" from Cyrion Technologies. It is free, and has
all kinds of nifty PCL functionality.
http://www.cyrtech.de/progs/dl2006/dl2006.htm

 

[Warren Block]

How can I send escape sequences to a (PCL-5 LaserJet) printer.

It depends on how the printer is connected and what you're trying to
achieve.

Maybe a command-line entry??
Sure.

or put into a batch file?
Yes.

[Didn't we used to embed these things in Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets to
get the right orientation & font? Wow - that was a long time ago.]

Things have changed greatly since then. Many print jobs are now just
big bitmaps. Those that are character-based will try to initialize the
printer to a known state, overriding the escape sequences you've sent.
Which is often no loss, since the print job has been laid out so that
unexpected changes would break it anyway.

For example, to eject a page - <Esc>?&l0H

Is there any little utility program that will pass the common sequences to a
printer?

Probably. It would depend on what operating system you use and how the
printer is connected.