HP Printer Job Language Technical Reference Manual

Printer Job Language
Technical Reference Manual

Edition 10
E1097

HP Part No. 5021-0380
Printed in U.S.A. 10/97

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
HEWLETT-PACKARD MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO

THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Hewlett­Packard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental consequential dam­ages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

This document contains proprietary information which is protected by copyright. All rights
are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated with­out the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.

Copyright © 1997 by HEWLETT-PACKARD CO.

Adobe, PostScript, and the PostScript logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated,
which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. AppleTalk is a registered trademark of
Apple Computer, Inc. Centronics is a U.S. registered trademark of Centronics Data Com­puter Corporation. Bi-Tronics and HP Explorer Software are trademarks and PCL and
Resolution Enhancement are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company. Epson
is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. Harvard Graphics is a registered trade-
mark of Software Publishing Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark and ProPrinter is
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and Word, Windows, MS-Mincho, and MS-Gothic are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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of WordPerfect Corporation.

First Edition — September 1992 (P/N 5961-0512)
Second Edition — May 1993 (P/N 5961-0998)
Third Edition — July 1993 (P/N 5961-0603)
Fourth Edition — May 1994 (P/N 5961-0636)
Fifth Edition — September 1994 (P/N 5961-0704)
Sixth Edition — May 1995 (P/N 5010-3996)
Seventh Edition — October 1995 (P/N 5010-3999)
Eighth Edition — May 1996 (P/N 5961-0938)
Ninth Edition — October 1996 (P/N 5021-0328)
Tenth Edition — October 1997 (P/N 5021-0380)

ii

Inside This Manual

What You Can Learn

From This Manual

Application
Developers

Printer Job Language (PJL) was developed by
Hewlett-Packard to provide a method for switching printer
languages at the job level, and for status readback between
the printer and the host computer. PJL offers application
programs an efficient way to remotely control
Hewlett-Packard printers. Using PJL, developers can
provide applications with the ability to programmatically
switch printer languages, monitor printer status, request
the printer model and configuration, change control panel
default settings, modify control panel messages, and more.

This manual is written for experienced users such as
application developers and technical support personnel.
Before using PJL commands, programmers should be
familiar with the introductory information in Chapters 1, 2,
and 3, and with the programming tips in Chapter 10. In
addition, users of this manual should be acquainted with
the HP LaserJet printer language (PCL) and with LaserJet
printer features.

This PJL Technical Reference Manual provides developers
with all the information necessary to add PJL to their
applications. Examples are used throughout the manual to
help developers write efficient and properly functioning code.

Technical Support

Personnel

This manual provides reference information for network
administrators and other technical support personnel who
manage multi-user systems. PJL provides the potential for
significantly enhancing network printer operation.

Non-Technical Users Non-technical users can use the features of PJL by using

HP Explorer Software, or by using software that supports
PJL. Since improperly used PJL commands can cause
problems in a network situation, inexperienced users are
advised against using PJL commands on any system other
than a dedicated workstation.

iii

Manual
Organization

This manual is comprised of ten chapters and four
appendices. The first three chapters introduce you to the
range of PJL features, PJL syntax and format, some rules
about using PJL, and a brief description of each command.
Chapter 4 explores the essential “kernel” commands—those
commands that are part of almost every PJL job. Chapters
5 through 9 each describe a separate group of related
commands. The remaining chapters cover programming
tips and related PJL information. A brief description of each
chapter is provided below.

Chapter 1. Introduction to PJL

This chapter explains what PJL is, who should use PJL,
and the benefits of using PJL in application programs. It
also covers compatibility with non-PJL printers, which
includes HP LaserJet printers, HP DeskJet printers, and
HP DesignJet plotters and printers.

Chapter 2. PJL Command Syntax and Format

Chapter 2 explains the conventions used to describe PJL
command syntax. The chapter also explains the formats
that PJL commands follow and describes what happens
when the printer receives an illegal command.

Chapter 3. Using PJL

This chapter explains how PJL commands are used,
including the requirements of a PJL job and examples
showing basic PJL command structure. In addition, the
chapter categorizes the PJL commands in this manual by
their functionality, along with a brief command summary.

Chapter 4. Kernel Commands

This chapter explains the three core commands used in
most PJL jobs: the Universal Exit Language (UEL)
command, the COMMENT command, and the ENTER
command. The chapter also describes the related topics of
implicit and explicit printer language switching.

iv

Chapter 5. Job Separation Commands

Chapter 5 describes the JOB and EOJ commands, which
are used in combination to define job boundaries and
provide job-related feedback, such as job completion.

Chapter 6. Environment Commands

This chapter explains setting the printer to a known state.
The DEFAULT, INITIALIZE, RESET, and SET commands
are explained here.

Chapter 7. Status Readback Commands

Chapter 7 describes status readback, the format of status
readback responses, using software tools to interpret status
readback, and the commands associated with status
readback (INQUIRE, DINQUIRE, ECHO, INFO,
USTATUS, and USTATUSOFF). This chapter also covers
the processes involved in job recovery and monitoring the
printer control panel.

Chapter 8. Device Attendance Commands

Chapter 8 describes the commands used to display
messages on the printer control panel: the RDYMSG,
OPMSG, and STMSG commands.

Chapter 9. PJL File System Commands

Chapter 9 describes the commands used for managing a
printer-based disk drive, or other printer-based mass
storage. The commands include FSAPPEND, FSDIRLIST,
FSINIT, FSMKDIR, FSQUERY, FSUPLOAD, FSDOWN­LOAD, and FSDELETE. These commands provide the
capability to initialize the mass storage, make directories,
list directories, and download, upload, delete, and
append files.

Chapter 10. Programming Tips

This chapter demonstrates how to create well-formed jobs
and discusses common problems and things to watch for

v

when using PJL commands. Samples are included to
demonstrate different types of applications.

Appendix A. Product-Specific Feature Support

This chapter lists all of the PJL commands and shows
which commands are supported by the different PJL
printers. It also shows which environment variables are
supported, and includes printer-specific information about
several PJL printers.

Appendix B. PJL Command Summary

This appendix lists all of the PJL commands in alphabetical
order, and shows the format of each command.

Appendix C. Programming Examples

Appendix C shows an example of a PJL job in both the
generic format used in the rest of this manual, and in the
C programming language. The appendix also includes a
batch file that modifies the control panel display message
during job processing.

Appendix D. Status Codes

This appendix describes the status code information
available when using status readback.

Index

This manual includes an index for easy access to PJL
information.

Quick Index

The inside back cover shows an alphabetical listing of each
PJL command, with accompanying page numbers for
accessing information about specific commands.

vi

Related Documents The following documents provide related information about

Hewlett-Packard PCL 5 printers.

PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference Manual

The PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference Manual
provides a description of the printer command language
that controls PCL 5 printers. The manual provides
explanations of each PCL command, and examples
demonstrating how the commands are used to control
the printer. A large portion of the manual is devoted to
HP-GL/2, the vector-based graphics language that is part
of all PCL 5 printers.

PCL 5 Comparison Guide

This document provides printer-specific information on
paper handling, internal fonts, PCL command support,
and control panel information. It identifies feature
differences between the PCL 5 printers, and how the
printers implement the commands described in the
PCL 5 Printer Language Technical Reference Manual.

PCL/PJL Technical Quick Reference Guide

This booklet is designed to provide quick access to the
syntax of each PCL and PJL command. The commands are
grouped by their function so that those familiar with PCL
and/or PJL can find the syntax of a specific command
without opening the manual.

vii

Manual
Conventions

This manual uses the following conventions:

Items in italics indicate names of variables.
Items in UPPERCASE letters indicate PJL command

names and words you type verbatim. PJL command
names referred to in text are also in uppercase.

Items in square brackets [ ] indicate optional
parameters. The brackets themselves are not typed.

Items in brackets < > indicate a control code character
(for example, <CR> for carriage return) or a special
defined identifier.

A vertical bar (|) indicates there is more than one
optional parameter.

Note Throughout this manual, the term printer also includes any

relevant DesignJet plotters and printers.

viii

Contents

Inside This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Manual Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Manual Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii

1 Introduction to PJL

The Benefits of PJL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Who Should Use PJL? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Compatibility With Non-PJL Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

2 PJL Command Syntax and Format

Syntax Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Format of PJL Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

PJL Syntax Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Types of Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7

Processing Invalid Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

3 Using PJL

Overview of How Commands are Used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

PJL Job Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Some Sample PJL Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3

What’s Next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Command Groupings by Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

4 Kernel Commands

Universal Exit Language (UEL) Command. . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

ENTER Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

COMMENT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Methods of Printer Language Switching . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

5 Job Separation Commands

JOB Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

EOJ Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

PJL Job Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Password Protection of Default Feature Settings . . . 5-10

Control Panel Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

Disk Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Contents-1

Job Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

Start of Job Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

End of Job Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Job Cancellation Unsolicited Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

6 Environment Commands

Print Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Changing Environment Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Environment Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6

PJL Reset Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Key Points to Remember About Environments. . . . . . . . . 6-9

PJL Environment Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

General PJL Environment Variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Port-Specific Variables (LaserJet 4PJ Only) . . . . . . . . 6-22

PCL-Specific Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23

PostScript-Specific Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27

ESC/P-Specific Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28

Setting the Printer to a Desired State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-30

DEFAULT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32

INITIALIZE Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-36

RESET Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-39

SET Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42

7 Status Readback Commands

Printer Status Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Synchronizing Status Readback Responses . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Format of Status Readback Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

INQUIRE Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

DINQUIRE Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9

ECHO Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14

INFO Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16

USTATUS Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32

USTATUSOFF Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-43

Job Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-44

Sending the Initial Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-44

After Job Failure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45

Contents-2

8 Device Attendance Commands

RDYMSG Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

OPMSG Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

STMSG Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

9 PJL File System Commands

FSAPPEND Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

FSDIRLIST Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4

FSDELETE Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

FSDOWNLOAD Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7

FSINIT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8

FSMKDIR Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9

FSQUERY Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

FSUPLOAD Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12

File System Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14

10 Programming Tips for Using PJL

PJL Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

Print Data Generators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Printer Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

Spoolers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10

Requesting Printer Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18

Using Status Readback in a Multi-User System . . . . . 10-18

A Product-Specific Feature Support

PJL Feature Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

PJL Environment Variable Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5

HP LaserJet IIISi Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-28

Comments about HP LaserJet Printers. . . . . . . . . . . . . A-29

LaserJet Printers With Reduced- Function

Control Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-35

Color LaserJet Printer Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-36

HP DeskJet 1200C

and 1600C Printer Family Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-36

HP LaserJet 5Si/ 5SiMx/5Si Mopier Comments . . . . . . A-40

HP LaserJet 5Si Mopier Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-41

HP LaserJet 4000 Series Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-43

Contents-3

B PJL Command Summary

C Programming Examples

D PJL Status Codes

Status Code Groupings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

Informational Messages (10xxx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2

Background Paper Loading (11xyy). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4

Background Paper T ray Status (12xyy). . . . . . . . . . . . D-6

Output Bin Status (15xxy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-6

PJL Parser Errors (20xxx) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-7

PJL Parser Warnings (25xxx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-8

PJL Semantic Errors (27xxx) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-9

Auto-Continuable Conditions (30xxx) . . . . . . . . . . . . D-11

PJL File System Errors (32xxx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-13

Potential Operator Intervention Conditions (35xxx) D-14

Operator Intervention Conditions (40xxx). . . . . . . . . D-16

Foreground Paper Loading (41xyy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-18

Paper Jam Messages (42xyy—LJ 5Si/5SiMx only) . . D-20

Optional Paper Handling Device Messages (43xyy) . D-22

LaserJet 4000 Series Paper Jam Messages (44xyy) . D-23

Hardware Errors (50xxx) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-24

Glossary

Contents-4

Index

Quick Index

Introduction to PJL

What is PJL? Hewlett-Packard’s Printer Job Language (PJL) was

developed to give software applications more job-level
printer control, and to provide printer status information to
applications. PJL provides for the special needs of networks
and other multi-user systems, in addition to enabling
applications to simulate control panel functions that
previously could not be controlled without pressing control
panel keys.

For the HP printers (HP LaserJet, HP DeskJet, and HP
DesignJet) that support it, PJL allows job-level control that
cannot be accomplished with PCL, PostScript, or other
printer languages. To provide this control, PJL functions
“above” the level of PCL and other printer languages,
providing four major functions:

Printer language switching between jobs
Job separation
Printer configuration
Status readback from the printer to the host computer

1

Introduction to PJL 1-1

Figure 1-1. PJL Resides Above Other Printer Languages

Note Some HP printers, such as the LaserJet 4L, 5L, or 6L

printers, do not support printer language switching or job
separation. See Appendix A for feature support information.

Using PJL, software applications can request information
such as printer model, configuration, and status. PJL also
can be used to change control panel settings and modify the
message displayed on the control panel, or change feature
settings in printers without a control panel, such as the HP
LaserJet 6L printer. For those printers supporting more
than one printer language, applications can print one job
using PCL, and then print the next job using PostScript or
another printer language—without any operator
intervention.

1-2 Introduction to PJL

The Benefits of PJL Listed below are some of the benefits PJL provides:

Programmatic printer language switching. PJL
provides fully reliable switching between printer
languages, such as PCL, Epson, IBM ProPrinter, and
PostScript, directly from within applications.

Printer status readback. Printer model information,
configuration, printer feature settings, and other printer
status information can be obtained using PJL.

Programmatic front panel control. Control panel
settings, including control panel messages, can be
changed remotely.

Ease of use. All PJL commands except the Universal
Exit Language (UEL) command consist of printable
characters and plain-English words or abbreviated
words. Learning to use PJL can be accomplished by
reading the first three chapters of this manual and
following the examples provided in the text.

Better spooler control. PJL allows spoolers improved
printer management, especially in a network
environment.

Who Should Use
PJL?

PJL is designed to be used by experienced programmers,
such as software application developers and technical
support personnel. Although PJL is not complicated, it is a
powerful tool, and should be used only by experienced users
who can create jobs that cause no adverse effects on other
jobs in a shared environment. Applications containing PJL
commands used as described in this manual provide users
with smooth transitions between print jobs. Conversely,
improperly used PJL commands can create problems in
multi-user printing environments.

Introduction to PJL 1-3

Compatibility With
Non-PJL Printers

Because all HP printers do not support PJL, it is important
to know what happens when PJL commands are sent to a
non-PJL printer.

PJL commands are recognized by the following HP printers:

LaserJet IIISi, 4Si, 4SiMx, 5Si, 5SiMx, 5Si Mopier
LaserJet 4000 series
LaserJet 4V, 4MV
LaserJet 4, 4 Plus, 4M, 4M Plus, 5, 5M
LaserJet 4L, 4ML, 4LJ Pro, 4LC, 5L, 6L
LaserJet 4P, 4MP, 4PJ, 5P, 6P, 6MP
Color LaserJet, Color LaserJet 5, 5M
DeskJet 1200C, 1600C
DesignJet Family
PaintJet XL300

The printers listed above are designed to handle any PJL
command, even those not supported by that particular
printer. On the other hand, all PCL 4 printers, and all PCL
5 printers not listed above, do not support PJL. When PJL
commands are sent to a non-PJL printer, the results differ
depending on which commands are used and which printer
language is used. The following paragraphs explain what
happens when PCL and PostScript jobs containing PJL
commands are sent to non-PJL printers.

PCL Jobs When non-PJL printers receive PCL jobs, any PJL

1-4 Introduction to PJL

Note For best results, do not send PJL commands to a non-PJL

printer.

commands that precede the initial PCL printer reset
command (<ESC>E) print as ASCII text. When the initial
printer reset command is received, it causes a page eject
and the PCL job begins on a new page. The end result is a
page or more of PJL commands followed by the PCL job,

and possibly followed by more PJL commands. The PCL job
should print as it would without any PJL commands, as
long as the PCL portion of the job begins and ends with a
PCL printer reset command. However, a page of PJL
commands printed before and probably after the PCL job
can be expected.

For those PCL applications that do not begin with a PCL
printer reset command (or another PCL command that
forces a page eject when preceded by printable data), the
PJL commands are printed as ASCII text on the same page
as the PCL job. A good portion of the job may be unusable
due to unpredictable page breaks and overprinted text on
the first page.

PostScript Jobs When non-PJL printers are running in PostScript mode,

PJL commands cause a PostScript error and prevent the job
from printing. Pressing the printer’s Continue key removes
the error message, but the error causes the printer to
discard the PostScript job.

Other Printer

Languages

PJL code is interpreted differently when running different
printer languages on non-PJL printers. To avoid printing
problems, do not use PJL commands when printing to any
non-PJL printer, regardless of which printer language is
used.

Introduction to PJL 1-5

1-6 Introduction to PJL

PJL Command Syntax and Format

Introduction This chapter explains the conventions used to describe PJL

command syntax. This chapter also describes the several
different formats that PJL commands may take, giving
examples of each. The chapter provides an explanation of
how PJL-compatible printers handle illegal commands.

2

PJL Command Syntax and Format 2-1

Syntax
Conventions

variables Items in italics indicate names of variables.

COMMANDS Items in uppercase letters indicate PJL command names and words

that you type verbatim. PJL command names referred to in text are
also in uppercase.

[ ] Items in brackets [ . . . ] indicate optional parameters. The brackets

themselves are not typed.

< > Identifies a control code character, such as <CR> for carriage return,

or a special defined identifier. The table on the next page lists the
control codes and special identifiers used in the PJL syntax. (The
< and > symbols themselves are not typed, but are replaced with the
control codes or special identifiers they represent. For example,
replace <FF> with the form feed character [ASCII 12].)

~ This character indicates that the current line of code is a continuation

of the previous line. For example, “This text belongs on the
~ same line.”

| A vertical bar indicates there is more than one optional parameter,

such as LPARM and IPARM: [LPARM : personality | IPARM : port].

The following syntax conventions are used to describe the
PJL commands in this manual:

2-2 PJL Command Syntax and Format

The following illustration is an example of a PJL command
line containing the ENTER command:

The table below lists the control codes and special
identifiers used in this manual:

<HT> Horizontal tab character (ASCII 9).
<LF> Line feed character (ASCII 10).
<CR> Carriage return character (ASCII 13).
<SP> Space character (ASCII 32).
<ESC> Escape character (ASCII 27).
<FF> Form feed character (ASCII 12).
<WS> White space, a result of one or more <SP> or

<HT>.

<words> Printable characters (Roman-8 characters 33

through 255) and <WS>, starting with a
printable character.

^D PostScript end-of-file indication. It is not

part of PJL, but is used to end PostScript
examples.

PJL Command Syntax and Format 2-3

Format of
PJL Commands

Format #1 <ESC>%–12345X

Format #2 @PJL [<CR>]<LF>

All PJL command lines follow one of the following four
formats. Each format defines how commands using that
format are structured.

The only command that uses this format is the Universal
Exit Language (UEL) command.

This format allows a PJL line with no command, and is
used to add clarity to PJL command listings. You can use
one or more of these commands to visually break up several
lines of PJL commands.

Format #3 @PJL

The COMMENT and ECHO commands currently are the
only PJL commands using format number 3.

Format #4 @PJL

option name

~ [

This format is used for all of the other PJL commands and
is described in more detail below.

command — command is one of the assigned PJL
command names, such as ENTER, RDYMSG, or RESET.

[command modifier : value] — The command modifier
enables the user to specify what is effected by the
command. For example, with the command modifier
LP ARM you can specify language-specific variables. A PJL
command with a command modifier of LPARM : PCL only
affects PCL-specific settings. A PJL command can contain
only one command modifier. For example, in the command:
@PJL SET [LPARM : personality]|[IPARM : port]
~ variable = value [<CR>] <LF>, you can use either the
LPARM command modifier or the IPARM command
modifier, but not both.

command

command [command modifier

[<words>] [<CR>]<LF>

[=

value

]] [<CR>]<LF>

:

value

]

2-4 PJL Command Syntax and Format

[option name [ = value ] ] — The option parameter
specifies an option or sets a command option to a certain
value. Examples include “@PJL INQUIRE COPIES” and
“@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = personality.” The range of
values varies with each specific command and each printer
model. A PJL command may have no options, or one or
more options (an unlimited number).

The DEF AULT command shown below illustrates format
number 4. The command sets the default PCL point size to

14.25.

PJL Syntax Rules Following are the rules governing the use of PJL commands:

The PJL prefix “@PJL” always must be uppercase. The
remainder of the PJL command is not case-sensitive. For
clarity, however, this manual shows other portions of PJL
commands in uppercase to indicate portions that are not
variable and that should be typed as shown (such as the
first three words in the following command):

@PJL STMSG DISPLAY = "

Spacing between characters, or “white space,” is
comprised of one or more of either the space character
(ASCII 32) or the horizontal tab character (ASCII 9). For
clarity and consistency, this manual shows all white
space as one blank space.

message

" [<CR>]<LF>

PJL Command Syntax and Format 2-5

The placement of white space in PJL commands depends
on its location within the command. Some white space is
required and some is optional:

• White space is required between the @PJL prefix and
the PJL command name, and between the PJL
command name and command modifiers. For example:

@PJL OPMSG DISPLAY or
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE =

personality

• If white space is shown in any other place in the
command, it is optional (see the examples below).

• If white space is not shown between two portions of a
command, white space is not allowed. An example is
between the optional carriage return and required line
feed character that terminate most commands.

For clarity, this manual consistently shows white space as
one blank space. The PJL language requirements are
shown in both examples below:

2-6 PJL Command Syntax and Format

Types of Variables PJL uses alphanumeric variables, numeric variables, and

strings. The following explains the three types of variables
and their ranges.

Alphanumeric variables. Any combination of letters
and digits, with the stipulation that the first character
always must be a letter. Letters consist of the uppercase
letters (Roman-8 characters 65 through 90) and
lowercase letters (97 through 122). Digits consist of
numbers 0 through 9 (characters 48 through 57).

Examples of valid alphanumeric variables include:

LaserJet279
J1953

Examples of invalid alphanumeric variables include:

279LaserJet

(Alphanumeric variables must begin with a letter)

J 1953

(Space characters [ASCII 32] are not allowed in
alphanumeric variables)

Numeric variables. Any number consisting of digits,
with one optional decimal point and an optional + or –
sign preceding the first digit. Only one decimal point
may be used, and it must be placed somewhere after the
first digit. Digits are not required after the decimal point.

Examples of valid numeric variables include:

0.123456

-123.456
+657000

2468.

PJL Command Syntax and Format 2-7

Examples of invalid numeric variables include:

.123456

(The decimal point must be preceded by at least 1 digit)

-123.45.6

(Only 1 decimal point is allowed in a numeric variable)

+657,000

(Commas are not allowed in numeric variables)

Strings. Enclosed in quotation marks, strings consist of
any combination of characters from Roman-8 character
32 through 255, plus character 9 (horizontal tab),
excluding character 34 (quotation marks).

Examples of valid strings include:

"<HT>This is a valid string."

(Tabs are allowed in strings)

"Print job #4655"

Examples of invalid strings include:

"This is not a valid" string."

(Strings cannot contain quotation marks)

Note Strings displayed on the printer control panel are generally

2-8 PJL Command Syntax and Format

"This is also not<CR>valid."

(<CR> is not within the valid range of characters for a
string.)

displayed using the Roman-8 symbol set. On HP LaserJet
4PJ, 4V, and 4MV printers, when the language is set to
Japanese, strings which correspond to a control panel
message are displayed on the control panel using the
JIS X0201-76 character set.

Processing Invalid
Commands

There are two general types of invalid commands: those
commands with syntax errors, and those that have syntax
or semantic warnings. Each type is handled differently.

Syntax errors cause the printer to ignore the entire PJL
command, and include errors such as unrecognized
commands and command modifiers, strings missing
closing double-quotes, numeric values missing digits
before the decimal point, and numeric values
encountered when alphanumeric values are expected.
When the printer receives commands with syntax errors,
it ignores the entire command.

For example, the value portion of the JOB command’s
NAME option is a string and requires double quotes
around the value (as shown below). In the second
example below, the JOB command is ignored since the
string (April Paychecks) contains the opening but not the
required closing quotes.

Valid command:

@PJL JOB NAME = "April Paychecks" <LF>

Invalid command:

@PJL JOB NAME = "April Paychecks <LF>

Syntax warnings and semantic warnings are issued for
commands such as those having unsupported options,
values that are out of range, values that are the wrong
type or missing, or values that are included when none
are allowed. When the printer receives commands with
syntax or semantic warnings, it executes as much of the
command as possible, but the portion of the command
containing the warning is ignored.

PJL Command Syntax and Format 2-9

For example, in the following two sample PJL commands,
START is a valid option for the JOB command, but FINISH
is not a valid option (the END option should be used). The
START option is executed, but the FINISH option is
ignored.

Valid command:

@PJL JOB START = 1 <LF>

Invalid command:

@PJL JOB START = 1 FINISH = HOME <LF>

Note Any errors that occur during PJL parsing can be received

by enabling device status as described in Chapter 7 (send
the @PJL USTATUS DEVICE = VERBOSE command).
Appendix D lists the status codes that are received by the
host when an invalid command is received and unsolicited
verbose device status is enabled.

2-10 PJL Command Syntax and Format

Using PJL

Introduction This chapter describes how PJL commands are used. After

reading this chapter, you can create basic jobs and perform
simple PJL tasks, such as printer language switching and
changing some PJL feature settings.

To give you an understanding of where to look for more PJL
information, this chapter explains how the manual
categorizes PJL commands into six groups of related
commands. Each command has a brief description of its
function to help familiarize you with the PJL language.

Note Each PJL printer supports a different set of PJL

commands. See Appendix A for printer -specific information.

3

Overview of How
Commands are
Used

As previously explained, PJL resides “above” other printer
languages such as PCL and PostScript. PJL commands
encapsulate the printer language jobs, as shown in
Figure 3-1. The Universal Exit Language (UEL) command
allows the printer to alternate between interpreting PJL
commands and printer language commands. (Although PCL
and PostScript are shown in Figure 3-1, other printer
languages can be involved.)

PJL Code PCL Job PJL Code PostScript Job PJL Code

Figure 3-1. PJL Commands Encapsulate Print Jobs

Using PJL 3-1

PJL Job
Requirements

PJL has certain job requirements that must be met to work
correctly. Jobs that satisfy the following requirements are
“well-formed” and work well with all PJL printers, both in
single-computer/single-printer environments and network
environments. Here are the requirements:

All PJL jobs must begin and end with a UEL command
(<ESC>%–12345X). This command exits the current
printer language and returns control to PJL.

The UEL command at the beginning of the job must be
immediately followed by the PJL command prefix
(@PJL). The “@PJL” can be followed by an optional
carriage return and a required line feed character, or it
can be the prefix of another PJL command (see the two
following examples). No other characters, including
control characters, are allowed between the UEL
command and the @PJL prefix.

The UEL command at the job end must not be followed
by anything (except the first character of the next job).

Line Termination—a line feed character (<LF>) is
required to terminate all PJL commands (except the
UEL command). A carriage return can precede the
terminating line feed, however the carriage return is
optional and is ignored.

No blank command lines are allowed. The command
@PJL [<CR>]<LF> is provided for situations where a
blank line is needed to add space between command lines.

The following command lines demonstrate two ways to
begin a job while satisfying PJL requirements. Both lines
begin with a UEL command, are immediately followed by
@PJL, and are terminated with a line feed character. All
PJL jobs also must end with a UEL command. The
examples on the following page demonstrate how to begin
and end a PJL job.

3-2 Using PJL

<ESC>%–12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
<ESC>%–12345X@PJL COMMENT *Start Job* <CR><LF>

Some Sample
PJL Jobs

This section consists of two basic PJL jobs that illustrate
how to use PJL. The first job changes a few printer control
panel settings and prints a PCL file. The second job prints a
PCL file followed by a PostScript file. (The ~ symbol
indicates that the command line is actually part of the
previous line.)

Example: Changing

Control Panel

Settings

Example: Switching

Printer Languages

This example simulates using PJL to control printer
features that are not available in a particular application
program. In this case, the features to be modified are the
number of copies and the Resolution Enhancement
technology setting.

<ESC>%–12345X@PJL COMMENT *Start Job* <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "Sample Job #1" <CR><LF>
@PJL SET COPIES = 3 <CR><LF>
@PJL SET RET = OFF <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>

<ESC>E. . . . PCL job . . . .<ESC>E

~<ESC>%–12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ<CR><LF>
<ESC>%–12345X

This example contains two print jobs, one PCL and one
PostScript. The PCL job prints first, then PJL code switches
the printer language to prepare for the PostScript job.

<ESC>%–12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ** Beginning PCL Job ** <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>
@PJL SET LPARM : PCL SYMSET = DESKTOP <CR><LF>

<ESC>E . . . . PCL job . . . .<ESC>E

~<ESC>%–12345X@PJL COMMENT End PCL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Ready for PostScript Job <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE ... PostScript print job ... ^D
~<ESC>%–12345X

Using PJL 3-3

What’s Next? Now that you have learned the PJL requirements and have

seen how to use PJL commands in the sample programs
described on the previous page, look through the following
“Command Groupings” table. It can help you find the
information you need to add PJL capabilities to your
application. If your application only uses PJL to switch
printer languages, you may need to read only Chapter 4.
However, if you want to do more with PJL, be sure to look
through Chapter 10 (Programming Tips), and the other
chapters that pertain to your application. Also, be sure you
know which PJL commands are supported by the printer
you are using. See Appendix A for feature support
information.

Chapter 5 explains commands that enable you to create
jobs for keeping track of printing status, and explain a
non-printing mode that allows printing of specific pages
of print jobs.

Chapter 6 describes commands that enable you to change
control panel settings and default configuration settings.
The commands in this chapter enable you to set the
printer features to a known state.

Chapter 7 covers status readback commands, enabling
you to request configuration and status information from
the printer.

Chapter 8 explains the commands that can alter the
messages displayed on the printer control panel.

Chapter 9 describes the PJL file system for managing
printer-based file storage.

3-4 Using PJL

Command
Groupings by
Functionality

Command Group Command Command Description

This manual categorizes the PJL commands into related
groups. Each group of commands is covered in a separate
chapter, as indicated in the following table. This table lists
each command and gives a short description of each.

Kernel Commands
(Chapter 4)

Job Separation Commands
(Chapter 5)

Environment Commands
(Chapter 6)

Universal Exit
Language (UEL)

COMMENT Causes PJL to accept the

ENTER Selects a printer language for

JOB Informs printer of the start of a

EOJ Tells printer the print job is

DEFAULT Sets default value for environment

SET Sets an environment variable to a

INITIALIZE Resets current and default PJL

Exits current printer language and
returns control to PJL.

command line as a comment.

processing the current job.

print job, resets the page count,
allows naming of the job, supports
non-printing mode for printing
portions of jobs. Where supported,
it adds PJL password security.

complete, resets the page count.

variables.

specified value for the duration of
a PJL job.

variables to factory default values.

RESET Resets current PJL variables to

default values.

Using PJL 3-5

Command Group Command Command Description

Status Readback Commands
(Chapter 7)

Device Attendance Commands
(Chapter 8)

INQUIRE Requests the current value for a

specified environment variable.

DINQUIRE Requests the default value for a

specified environment variable.

ECHO Returns the <words> portion

of the command to the host
computer.

INFO Requests a specified category of

printer information, such as printer
model number , printer memory
available, configuration, page count,
status, environment variables, and
unsolicited status variables.

USTATUS Allows printer to send unsolicited

status messages for device status
changes, end-of-job status, and
pages printed. Status can be sent

at specified time intervals.
USTATUSOFF Turns off all unsolicited status.
RDYMSG Specifies a message that replaces

the READY message on the

printer control panel. Does not

affect online state.

3-6 Using PJL

OPMSG Displays specified message on

printer control panel and takes

printer offline.
STMSG Displays specified message on

printer control panel and takes

printer offline. If status readback

is enabled, returns name of

the key (ON LINE, CONTINUE,

or RESET) that operator presses

to return the printer online.

Command Group Command Command Description

PJL File System Commands
(Chapter 9)

FSAPPEND Appends data to an existing file or

creates a new file.
FSDELETE Deletes printer mass storage files.
FSDIRLIST Lists PJL file system files and

directories.
FSDOWNLOAD Downloads files to the printer

mass storage system.
FSINIT Initializes the printer mass

storage file system.
FSMKDIR Creates a directory on the printer

mass storage file system.
FSQUERY Queries existence of directories

and files and returns file sizes.
FSUPLOAD Uploads all or part of a file from

the printer to the host.

Using PJL 3-7

3-8 Using PJL

Kernel Commands

Introduction This chapter explains the following three PJL commands:

Universal Exit Language (UEL) command exits the
current printer language and returns control to PJL.

ENTER command selects a printer language for
processing the current job.

COMMENT command enables developers to add
comments to their PJL commands.

Together, these commands provide a minimum set of tools
necessary to implement job control. These commands allow
applications to set job boundaries, add comments, and
programmatically select printer languages.

Besides programmatic printer language switching, you can
configure some LaserJet printers to switch printer
languages automatically between print jobs. Following the
descriptions of the UEL, ENTER, and COMMENT
commands, this chapter describes the different methods
used to switch printer languages.

4

Kernel Commands 4-1

Universal Exit
Language (UEL)
Command

Syntax: <ESC>%-12345X

Parameters: The UEL command does not use any parameters.

Comments: The UEL command is a data stream sequence recognized

The Universal Exit Language (UEL) Command causes the
printer to exit the active printer language. The printer then
returns control to PJL.

Note Use the UEL command at the beginning and end of every

PJL job. You do not need a UEL command before every PJL
command. The examples demonstrate using this command.

by all printer languages in PJL printers. The UEL
command instructs the active printer language to finish
processing the current job and relinquishes control to PJL.
If PJL is active, any unprocessed PJL commands are
discarded and the printer is ready to accept the next PJL
command.

Note If the printer is processing a PostScript job and TBCP is

enabled, the UEL command causes the printer to exit
PostScript and enable PJL.

4-2 Kernel Commands

Remember that:

All jobs must start and end with the UEL command.
Printers that support I/O switching use the UEL
command as one way to determine job boundaries,
indicating when to perform I/O switching (see the
“Timeouts” section in Appendix A).

At the beginning of a PJL job, the PJL command prefix
(@PJL) must immediately follow the UEL command. If
the printer receives any characters, spaces, or control
codes before @PJL, it enables the default printer
language and processes the job in that printer language

(if PERSONALITY =AUTO, the data stream is sampled for
context-sensitive switching—see the “Methods of Printer
Language Switching” later in this chapter). Instead of
relying on implicit switching, use the ENTER command
to specify the printer language, even if the printer has
only one printer language.

The following example demonstrates the use of the UEL
command.

Example: Using the

UEL Command

This example enters PCL and prints a PCL job. Notice how
the job begins and ends with the UEL command, and how
the first UEL command is followed immediately by the
@PJL prefix.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL COMMENT PCL Job <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>

<ESC>E . . . . PCL Job . . . . <ESC>E

~<ESC>%-12345X

If the print job was a PostScript job instead, the following
would be sent:

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL COMMENT PostScript <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE ... PostScript print job ... ^D
~<ESC>%-12345X

Similarly, for an ESC/P print job, send the following:

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL COMMENT ESC/P <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = ESCP <CR><LF>
... ESC/P print job ...
~<ESC>%-12345X

Kernel Commands 4-3

ENTER Command The ENTER command enables the specified personality

(such as PCL or PostScript). Use this command to select the
printer language for printing subsequent data.

Syntax: @PJL ENTER LANGUAGE =

Parameters:

* Other personalities might be supported.

personality — The personality variable must be set to
PCL, POSTSCRIPT, ESCP, or one of the other supported
personalities. Personalities besides PCL and PostScript
can be added to some printers by plugging in additional
hardware, such as cartridges or ROM SIMMs. If your
application handles status readback, you can request a
list of all valid personalities present in the prin ter (see
the “INFO CONFIG” section in Chapter 7).

Parameter Range

personality PCL, POSTSCRIPT, ESCP,

personality

Others *

[<CR>]<LF>

Comments: The ENTER command must be positioned immediately

before any personality-specific data. The selected
personality begins parsing immediately after the <LF> that
terminates in the ENTER command.

If the printer does not receive the ENTER command
requesting a specific printer language, the printer enables
the default printer language as set from the control panel
(or if the printer supports context switching, such as the HP
Color LaserJet, LaserJet 4, 4M, 4 Plus, 4M Plus, 4Si,
4SiMx, 4000 series, 5Si, 5Si MX, 5Si Mopier , 4ML, 4P, 4MP,
4V, 4MV, 5, 5M, 5P, 6P, and 6MP printers, it samples the
data stream if personality is set to AUTO—see the “Methods
of Printer Language Switching” later in this chapter).

4-4 Kernel Commands

Note To select the ESC/P personality, always be sure to use the

@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = ESCP command to explicitly
select it.

For any job containing personality-specific data, send the
ENTER command if the intended printer language is
known, instead of relying on the printer’s ability to switch
to the default printer language. This is true even if there is
only one available personality.

When a printer language is specified, that language
currently must be installed in the printer. If the printer
receives a request for an invalid printer language, the
printer consumes the data stream until it finds the next
UEL command, and then discards the data. The printer
also posts an “invalid personality” clearable warning
message (W2 INVALID PERS) and, if enabled, returns a
status message.

Note In spooling applications, performance is not adversely

affected if both the application file and the spooler send
the ENTER command.

Example:

Using the ENTER

Command

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Beginning PostScript Job <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE ... PostScript print job ... ^D
~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT End of PostScript Job <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Prepare for PCL Job <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>

<ESC>E . . . . PCL Job . . . . <ESC>E

~<ESC>%-12345X

Kernel Commands 4-5

COMMENT
Command

The COMMENT command enables you to add a line of
information as a comment. Use this command whenever
you want to add an explanation to PJL commands.

Syntax: @PJL COMMENT

Parameters:

Parameter Range

remarks

remarks Roman-8 character codes

[<CR>]<LF>

33 through 255 and <WS>,
starting with a printable
character.

Comments: The COMMENT command is useful for documenting lines

of PJL commands. Comments may be placed anywhere in
the PJL code between the initial UEL command and the
ENTER command. (Comments placed after the ENTER
command are considered personality-specific data and are
printed as determined by the active printer language.)

Like other PJL commands, the COMMENT command is
terminated by a line feed character. You cannot extend
comments onto the next line. Comments longer than one
line require a separate COMMENT command for each line.

See the following page for an example demonstrating the
use of the COMMENT command.

4-6 Kernel Commands

Example: Using the

COMMENT Command

This example demonstrates using the COMMENT
command to add clarity to your PJL command listings.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ************************ <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ** D. Thiel— 10/22/92 ** <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ************************ <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "Using Comments" <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **** TURNING OFF **** <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **** RESOLUTION **** <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **** ENHANCEMENT **** <CR><LF>
@PJL SET RET = OFF <CR><LF>
@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT ***** ENTERING PCL ***** <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>

<ESC>E . . . . PCL Job . . . . <ESC>E

~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Kernel Commands 4-7

Methods of Printer
Language
Switching

There are three methods of switching printer languages,
two of which are supported by all PJL printers. All three
methods are described below:

Explicit Switching. With explicit switching, the
ENTER LANGUAGE command is used to “explicitly”
select the desired printer language. This is the preferred
switching method because it ensures that the specified
printer language is always selected (see Figure 4-1).

Implicit Switching. If the printer has a default printer
language configured, and the print job does not explicitly
select a printer language using the ENTER LANGUAGE
command, the printer automatically switches to the
default printer language. (See the User’s Manual for
each printer for instructions about specifying a default
printer language.) This switching method does not
always ensure that the proper printer language is used,
since the printer simply uses the default language.

Context Switching (HP Color LaserJet, LaserJet 4,
4M, 4 Plus, 4M Plus, 4Si, 4SiMx, 4000 series, 5Si,
5SiMx, 5Si Mopier, 4ML, 4P, 4MP, 4V, 4MV, 5P, 6P, 6MP,
DesignJet plotters and printers only). If the printer is set
to automatically select a printer language (see the
printer user’s manual), and the print job does not
explicitly select a printer language using the ENTER
LANGUAGE command, the printer samples the
incoming data and looks for indications of a particular
printer language. Once it recognizes the printer
language, the printer backs up to the beginning of the
sampled print data and switches to the printer language
determined to be most appropriate. Then it begins to
parse the data in the newly selected printer language.

4-8 Kernel Commands

Note HP LaserJet 4V and 4MV printers cannot properly

context-switch into the ESC/P personality by sensing the
data stream. Developers who use ESC/P must use explicit
or implicit switching.

Although printers supporting context switching can select
printer languages accurately, we recommend that every job
containing printable data include an ENTER LANGUAGE
command to explicitly select the correct printer language.
This method improves performance and eliminates
unintentional printer language switching, which can
potentially cause data loss. Performance is not adversely
affected if both the application and the spooler send the
ENTER LANGUAGE command.

Figure 4-1. Switching Printer Languages

Kernel Commands 4-9

4-10 Kernel Commands

Job Separation Commands

Introduction This chapter explains the JOB and EOJ commands. These

commands are used to describe the boundaries of a job,
indicating where the PJL job begins and ends. The
commands can be used to name a job, and they support a
non-printing mode for printing selected pages within a job.
When used in combination with status readback, the
printer also can send status information regarding when
the printer starts processing the job and when the job is
complete. This chapter also describes PJL security and job
cancellation and their relationship to the JOB command.

5

Job Separation Commands 5-1

JOB Command The JOB command informs the printer of the start of a PJL

job and synchronizes the job and page status information. It
also is used to specify which pages of a job are printed. Use
the JOB/EOJ commands for spooling and related
applications to monitor printing status, name a job, print
portions of a job, or to mark job boundaries to keep the
printer from treating a single print job as multiple jobs (for
example, when printing a job with a banner page). Also, in
jobs sent to those printers supporting the PASSWORD
option, use a JOB command to specify the correct password.
For LaserJet 4000 series printers, the JOB command can
be used to display a control panel message while printing
the job.

Note The JOB and EOJ commands always are used in pairs. Do

not use one without the other.

Syntax: @PJL JOB [NAME = "

Parameters:

5-2 Job Separation Commands

job name

~[END =
~[DISPLAY = "

NAME = "job name" Roman-8 characters

START = first page 1 to 2,147,483,647 1
END = last page 1 to 2,147,483,647 Entire job
PASSWORD = number 0 to 65,535 0
DISPLAY="display text" Roman-8 characters

NAME = "job name" — The command option NAME
tags the print job with a job name. The variable job name
can be any combination of printable characters and
spaces or horizontal tab characters, with a maximum of

last page

Parameter Functional Range Default

][PASSWORD =

display text

33 thru 255, <SP>,
<HT>

33 thru 255, <SP>,
<HT>

"][START=

first page

number ]

"][<CR>]<LF>

N/A

N/A

]

80 significant characters. The job name variable is a
string and must be enclosed in double quotes, as shown
in the command syntax. If the NAME option is included,
the unsolicited job status includes the job name (if
unsolicited job status is enabled).

START = first page — The command option START is
used to provide a non-printing mode for skipping to a
selected portion of the job. It indicates the first page that is
printed. If the START option is omitted, the printer starts
printing at the beginning of the job. If the end of the job
comes before the START page, no pages are printed.

END = last page — The command option END
indicates the page number of the last page to be printed.
The last page variable is relative to page 1 of the print
job. If the END variable is omitted, the printer prints to
the end of the job. If the end of the job is encountered
before the START page, no pages are printed. If the end
of job is encountered before the END page, printing
terminates. Additionally, if the START page is greater
than the END page, no pages are printed.

PASSWORD = number — The command option
PASSWORD allows the application to modify the
NVRAM variables if the password matches the active
password variable. (Using PJL, the NVRAM variables
are modified using either the DEFAUL T or INITIALIZE
commands; some printer language commands may also
modify NVRAM variables.) Passwords are set using the
DEFAULT command. The default password value is 0,
which indicates PJL security is disabled—any job can
modify printer feature settings using the DEFAUL T or
INITIALIZE commands. If any other password value is
active, PJL jobs must issue the correct password value or
they are disabled from using the DEFAULT or
INITIALIZE commands. (See the “PJL Security” section
at the end of this chapter.)

DISPLAY="display text " — The command option
DISPLAY is used to display a job message on the control
panel display. The message is displayed when the printer
begins to work on this job and is removed when the last

Job Separation Commands 5-3

page of this job reaches the output bin. The variable
"display text" can be any combination of printable
characters and spaces or horizontal tabs, with a
maximum of 80 characters. The actual number of
characters displayed depends on the printer. The display
limit can be determined by sending an INFO CONFIG
command to the printer. The printer will return
DISPLAY LINES = value and DISPLAY CHARACTER
SIZE = value as part of the response.

Note For HP LaserJet 4PJ, 4V, 4MV, 5Si, 5SiMx, 5Si Mopier

printers, if the LANG variable is set to Japanese, messages
are displayed using the JIS X0201-76 character set.

For the LaserJet 4000 printer, if LANG is set to POLISH,
CZECH, or HUNGARIAN, messages are displayed using
the Latin 2 (ISO 8859/2) character set. If LANG is
RUSSIAN, messages are displayed using Cyrillic (ISO
8859/51). For LANG=TURKISH, the display is in Latin 5
(ISO 8859/9).

Comments: When a JOB command is received, the printer does not

recognize the UEL command as a PJL job boundary until an
EOJ command is received. UEL commands within a PJL
JOB/EOJ command pair are treated as printer language
resets; they default the print environment to the PJL Current
Environment settings, instead of the User Default
Environment.

Note Resetting the page count associated with unsolicited page

5-4 Job Separation Commands

If your application has status readback capabilities, you can
monitor the job status using the USTATUS command with
the JOB option. If job status is enabled and the printer
receives a JOB command, it returns a job status message.

status affects only future pages. Pages already processed,
but not yet printed, are not affected.

JOB commands can be nested. For example, a spooling
application can send a PJL job that uses the JOB command
to another spooler that encapsulates the spooled job with
another JOB/EOJ command pair. When this is done, note
that the job name from the outer JOB command is cleared
or overwritten by the inner command.

Example: Using the

JOB Command to

Print Selected Pages

Note If there is a need to print more than one copy of each page,

You can use the JOB command with the START and END
options to print selected pages of a job. The entire job must
be sent to the printer and formatted, but the printer does
not begin printing until the page indicated in the START
option.

send the job multiple times using the START and END
options to print collated copies. Using the SET command or
a printer language “number of copies” command to print
multiple copies of selected pages causes unexpected results,
because the printer counts physical pages, not multi-copy
collated pages.

In this example, the JOB command:

Informs the printer of the beginning of a print job.
Names the print job “Jim’s Job.”
Instructs the printer to begin printing on page three of

the job. (Since the END option is missing, the job prints
from page three through the end of the job.)

Note that the name option for the JOB and EOJ commands
need not be the same. You may use different names for each.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "Jim’s Job" START = 3 <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>

<ESC>E . . . . PCL Job . . . . <ESC>E

~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ NAME = "End of Jim’s Job" <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Job Separation Commands 5-5

Example: Using the

JOB Command to

Monitor Job Status

This example demonstrates a PostScript print job that is
spooled before printing. The job actually consists of three
separate sections (notice the UEL commands that bound
the three sections—the first section does not need a closing
UEL command since the printer is already in PJL mode):

The first section is sent by the spooler. These lines name
the print job and send the USTATUS command so the
spooler can monitor job status.

The next section is a PostScript job sent to the spooler
from a software application.

The last section is sent by the spooler to end the job.
When the last page is completely printed (in the output
tray), the printer returns unsolicited status information
notifying the spooler that the job is complete.

<ESC%>-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **Beginning of Job ** <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "TF’s Monitor Job" <CR><LF>
@PJL USTATUS JOB = ON <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE .. PostScript print job ... ^D
~<ESC>%-12345X
~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ NAME = "End of TF’s Job" <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Note If the spooler received a print job that did not use PJL (that

5-6 Job Separation Commands

is, the application generated a print job that consisted of
just “%!PS-ADOBE .. PostScript print job ... ^D”, a LaserJet
printer using context-sensitive switching would still print
properly (provided PostScript is installed) and the spooler
would still receive the unsolicited job status information.

Example: Nested

JOB Commands

This example shows a PCL job that was sent to spooler 1,
which in turn was sent to spooler 2 (the nested jobs are
indented). Note that the first job name is overwritten by the
second job name (“Spooler 1 Job”) when the second JOB
command is processed.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "Printing Job Sent From

~Spooler 2" <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Printing a PCL job <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB NAME = "Spooler 1 Job" <CR><LF>
@PJL SET RESOLUTION = 600 <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>
<ESC>E . . PCL print job . .<ESC>E
~<ESC>%-12345X

~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ NAME = "End Spooler 1 Job" <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ NAME = "End Spooler 2 Job" <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Related Commands: EOJ, USTATUS, DEFAULT

Job Separation Commands 5-7

EOJ Command The EOJ command informs the printer that the job has

completed. Use this command whenever you use the JOB
command.

Note The JOB and EOJ commands are always used in pairs. Do

not use one without the other.

Syntax: @PJL EOJ [NAME = "

Parameters:

Parameter Functional Range Default

NAME = "job name" Roman-8 characters

NAME = "job name" — Using the EOJ command, you
can name your print job. The job name variable is a
string and must be enclosed in double quotes as shown in
the command syntax. The job name string need not be
the same name used in the JOB command. If the NAME
option is included, the unsolicited end-of-job status
includes the job name (if unsolicited job status is
enabled).

job name

33 thru 255, <SP>,
<HT>

"] [<CR>]<LF>

N/A

Comments: The EOJ command marks the end of the job started with

the previous JOB command. The EOJ command:

Resets the PJL Current Environment variables to their
default (NVRAM) values, as if the printer powered down
and then powered up again.

Resets the page number associated with unsolicited page
status.

5-8 Job Separation Commands

Terminates the non-printing mode (enabled by using the
START/END options). The non-printing mode, if enabled
by the last JOB command, only applies to the previously
received data, and does not effect any future pages until
another JOB command enables the non-printing mode
again.

Effect on Unsolicited

Job Status

When the printer receives this command, it returns
unsolicited job status information, if enabled, when the last
page of the job exits the printer and is in the output tray.
The EOJ command resets the page number associated with
unsolicited page status. Resetting the page count associated
with unsolicited page status only affects future pages.
Pages already processed, but not yet printed, are not
affected.

Related Commands: JOB, USTATUS

Job Separation Commands 5-9

PJL Job Security HP Laser J e t 4 / 4M P l u s , 4 V, 4MV, 4Si, 4 S iM x, 4000 series,

5, 5M, 5Si, 5SiMx, 5Si Mopier, 5P, 6P, and 6MP printers
support the following types of PJL security:

Password protection of default feature settings—this
type of security prevents applications from modifying the
printer’s default feature settings unless the correct
password is specified.

Control panel lock—prevents users from modifying
control panel settings using the control panel keys.

Disk lock (LaserJet 4V, 4MV, 4000 series, 5, 5M, 5Si,
5SiMx, 5Si Mopier only)—prevents writing to the
printer’s disk (or flash memory [LaserJet 5/5M printer]).

File system initialization—for printers with a PJL file
system, the FSINIT command will not initialize the file
system unless specified in a secure job.

All types of security are set using the DEFAULT command
and queried using DINQUIRE or INQUIRE.

Password Protection

of Default Feature

Settings

5-10 Job Separation Commands

You can use a password to protect the printer’s default
features by sending the @PJL DEFAULT P ASSWORD =
number command, specifying a number between 1 and 65,535
(the 0 value disables password protection). Once password
protection is enabled, the DEF AULT or INITIALIZE
commands are disabled unless the correct password is
specified in the JOB command. Printer languages, such as
PCL and PostScript, are also prevented from changing default
variables.

Secure PJL jobs are able to use the DEFAULT and
INITIALIZE commands (or printer language commands) to
set default features, including the value of the PASSWORD,
CPLOCK, and DISKLOCK variables, until the next EOJ
command is received.

Control Panel Lock You can “lock” the control panel by sending the @PJL

DEF AULT CPLOCK = ON command. When the control panel
is locked, the user cannot change any control panel settings.
If the user tries to change any control panel settings, the
message “MENUS LOCKED” appears on the control panel
display for about 5 seconds. The CPLOCK variable can only
be changed from within “secure” PJL jobs (jobs with the
correct non-zero P ASSWORD value in the JOB command).

For the printers that support the MINIMUM, MODERATE,
and MAXIMUM values for CPLOCK, MINIMUM locks out
the RESET, CONFIGURATION, and I/O menus.
MODERATE locks out the menus locked by MINIMUM,
plus the PRINT QUALITY and PAPER HANDLING
menus. The MAXIMUM value locks out the menus locked
by MODERATE plus the PRINTING and INFORMATION
menus and the Job Cancel key (MAXIMUM has the same
effect as the ON value).

Disk Lock On printers which support Disk Lock, you can “lock”

volume 0 by sending the @PJL DEFAULT DISKLOCK =
ON command. When locked, you cannot write to volume 0
of the file system. It becomes read-only to prevent actions
such as formatting, downloading fonts to the disk, deleting
disk fonts, etc. If not locked, the disk is read/write. The
DISKLOCK variable can only be changed from within a
“secure” PJL job (a job that includes the correct, non-zero
password value in the JOB command). The DISKLOCK
variable is used mainly in networked or printer-shared
configurations.

Note You can use the DINQUIRE command to check the status

of the PASSWORD, CPLOCK, and DISKLOCK variables.
@PJL DINQUIRE PASSWORD returns ENABLED or
DISABLED, @PJL DINQUIRE CPLOCK returns OFF or
ON, and @PJL DINQUIRE DISKLOCK returns OFF or
ON. You do not have to be in a secure job to use the
DINQUIRE command to check these variables.

Job Separation Commands 5-11

Example: Using PJL

Security

This example demonstrates how to set a password and to
lock the control panel so users cannot modify control panel
settings. It is assumed the password value at the start of
job is 7654. The example changes the password to 1776.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **Set Password** <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **& Lock Control Panel**<CR><LF>
@PJL JOB PASSWORD = 7654 <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT PASSWORD = 1776 <CR><LF>
@PJL DINQUIRE PASSWORD <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT CPLOCK = ON <CR><LF>
@PJL DINQUIRE CPLOCK <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

To unlock the control panel, you would send a job similar to
the following job. This job specifies the correct password
with the JOB command, and then uses the DEFAULT
command to unlock the control panel.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **Unlock Control Panel** <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB PASSWORD = 1776 <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT CPLOCK = OFF <CR><LF>
@PJL DINQUIRE CPLOCK <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

5-12 Job Separation Commands

To write to volume 0 of the file system, you would send a job
like the following. This job specifies the correct password
with the JOB command, and then uses the DEFAULT
command to unlock, and then later to lock the disk.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **Unlock Volume 0** <CR><LF>
@PJL JOB PASSWORD = 1776 <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT DISKLOCK = OFF <CR><LF>
@PJL DINQUIRE DISKLOCK <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = POSTSCRIPT <CR><LF>
%!PS-ADOBE . . . PostScript print job . . . ^D
~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT **Lock Volume 0** <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT DISKLOCK = ON <CR><LF>
@PJL DINQUIRE DISKLOCK <CR><LF>
@PJL EOJ <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Job Separation Commands 5-13

Job Cancellation HP LaserJet 4000 series, 5, 5M, 5Si, 5SiMx printers and

the LaserJet 5Si Mopier support job cancellation using the
printer control panel. When a PJL print job is started using
the PJL JOB command as described in this chapter, the
following PJL information can be obtained from the printer:

Start of job notification
End of job notification
Job cancellation unsolicited status

Each of these pieces of information is described below.

Start of Job
Notification

If unsolicited job status is enabled when the printer begins
processing the PJL job, the printer responds to the PJL
JOB command with an @PJL USTATUS JOB START
response. If job ID reporting is enabled by sending @PJL
SET JOBID=ON, the printer response includes a job ID
number that is associated with the job name supplied in the
JOB command.

For example, if the printer receives the following command:

@PJL JOB NAME = "

If unsolicited job status and job ID reporting are enabled,
the printer would generate an ID number (such as 346) and
respond with:

@PJL USTATUS JOB<CR><LF>
START<CR><LF>
NAME="
ID=346<CR><LF>
<FF>

The printer-generated ID number can range in value from 0
to 32767. Job ID numbers are unique until they roll over to
zero or until the printer power is cycled (at which time the
ID defaults to 0).

job name

job name

"<CR><LF>

"

5-14 Job Separation Commands

End of Job

Notification

Near the end of the PJL job, the application should send the
EOJ command as described in this chapter. If unsolicited
job status is enabled when the last page of the job is
delivered to the output bin, the printer responds to the EOJ
command with an @PJL USTATUS JOB END response. If
JOB ID reporting is enabled, the response includes a
printer-generated ID number associated with the PJL job
name provided in the EOJ command. The response also
contains a RESULT field. All possible values for the
RESULT are shown in the following table:

RESULT Value Description

OK The last page of the job was

sent to the output bin.

USER_CANCELED The job was canceled from

the control panel.

HOST_CANCELED The job was canceled from a

host system.

RESOURCE_CANCELED The job was canceled

because a resource was not
available (for example, the
media was not loaded).

Using the previous example, if the printer receives the
following command containing the same job name as in the
JOB command:

@PJL EOJ NAME = "job name"
If unsolicited job status and job ID reporting are enabled,

the printer would use the ID number associated with that
job name and respond with:

@PJL USTATUS JOB<CR><LF>
END<CR><LF>
NAME="job name"<CR><LF>
PAGES=123<CR><LF>
ID=346<CR><LF>
RESULT=OK
<FF>

Job Separation Commands 5-15

If the job had been cancelled instead of completed, the
printer would respond with the same message except the
RESULT value would be different.

Job Cancellation

Unsolicited Status

As soon as the printer receives notification that a job is
cancelled, the printer provides the @PJL USTATUS JOB
CANCELED message to the driver/spooler if unsolicited job
status is enabled. Using the same job name and ID number
as the previous example, the printer’s response would be:

@PJL USTATUS JOB<CR><LF>
CANCELED<CR><LF>
NAME="
ID=346<CR><LF>
RESULT=USER_CANCELED
<FF>

The job name provided in the NAME option of the PJL
USTATUS JOB CANCELED response is the current job
name if a current job name is available. The current job
name is the job name retained in the printer at the time the
last PJL JOB command was processed. The current job
name could also have been supplied and/or modified using
PostScript.

If a job name is supplied in the EOJ command and if
unsolicited job status is enabled at the time the EOJ
command is parsed, the NAME option of the PJL
USTATUS JOB CANCELED response will contain the job
name assigned in the EOJ command. Otherwise, the
NAME line is eliminated from the response.

job name

"<CR><LF>

5-16 Job Separation Commands

Environment Commands

Introduction Hewlett-Packard printers have many features you can set

using printer commands or by pressing control panel keys.
Since previous jobs can change feature settings to
unwanted values, applications should set printer features
affecting the print job to a desired state at the beginning of
the job.

Setting features to a desired state is easily accomplished
using a combination of PJL and printer language
commands. This chapter describes sets of printer features
known as print environments, and the PJL commands you
use to set printer features to a desired state, such as:

DEFAUL T sets the default value for environment
variables, storing these values in non-volatile RAM.

INITIALIZE resets the current and default PJL
variables to the factory default values.

RESET resets the current PJL variables to the default
values.

SET sets an environment variable to a specified value
until the next PJL reset condition.

6

Note For a list of default feature settings, see Appendix A.

Environment Commands 6-1

Print Environments At any time during printer operation, the printer’s current

feature settings are referred to collectively as the print
environment. When certain printer events occur, such as
the incidence of a printer language reset, RESET command,
or other PJL reset condition, the print environment settings
can default to the settings of other stored environments.

The printer constantly maintains four environments, which
are listed below in priority order:

Factory Default Environment (lowest priority)
User Default Environment
PJL Current Environment
Modified Print Environment (highest priority)

The Factory Default Environment holds the initial feature
values set at the factory, which can be used for default
values when a complete reset is needed. The User Default
Environment holds the settings modified with the
DEFAULT command, or set from the control panel. The
print environment defaults to the User Default values when
various printer conditions occur, such as the end of a PJL
job, a PJL reset condition, or when certain PJL commands
are executed. The PJL Current Environment contains the
current PJL feature settings. When a printer language is
entered or a new job begins, the PJL Current Environment
settings are loaded into the Modified Print Environment,
providing a base feature set which the application can
modify if needed. After a printer language is entered,
feature settings are recorded in the Modified Print
Environment.

Note HP LaserJet 4L, 5L, and 6L printers do not have NVRAM.

6-2 Environment Commands

The PJL Default and Current Environment settings are
stored in RAM and are reset to the factory default values
during a power cycle.

Each environment is explained in more detail below:

Factory Default Environment — This environment
consists of a group of feature settings that are
permanently stored in the printer. The printer uses these
settings when it is powered on for the first time after
leaving the factory, and after the INITIALIZE command
is received.

User Default Environment — This environment
contains the values that are set using the DEFAULT
command or the control panel keys. These values are
stored in non-volatile RAM (in those printers containing
NVRAM). Following any PJL reset condition, these
values are placed into the PJL Current Environment. If
the printer has a control panel, the User Default values
are displayed on the control panel under the appropriate
menu.

PJL Current Environment — This environment
contains the current PJL feature settings. Current
settings are based on the User Default values and any
settings modified using the SET command. These values
default to the User Default values when a PJL reset
condition occurs.

Modified Print Environment — This environment is
active as soon as a printer language is entered. At that
time, the PJL Current Environment values are loaded
into the Modified Print Environment and act as a base
set of features. Printer language commands then are
used to modify feature settings to the desired state. The
PJL Current Environment settings are loaded into the
Modified Print Environment whenever a personality is
activated or a reset is received, including any printer
language reset or PJL reset condition.

Figure 6-1 illustrates how the environments interact, and
how they affect the modified print environment.

Environment Commands 6-3

Figure 6-1. How Environments Affect the Print Job

6-4 Environment Commands

Changing
Environment
Settings

The following scenario elaborates on how the print
environment changes during printer operation. The
“number of copies” feature is used to show feature changes
as events occur.

1. The first time the printer is turned on after it leaves the
factory (or after the INITIALIZE command), the number
of copies feature is set to the factory default value of 1
copy.

2. At any point following the initial power-on or the
INITIALIZE command, the number of copies feature can
be set using the DEFAUL T COPIES command in a PJL
job or by changing the COPIES = setting on the control
panel. This changes the User Default Environment set­ting to a new value, such as number of copies = 3. The
User Default Environment values are not loaded into the
PJL Current Environment until the next PJL reset condi­tion occurs. (For printers with control panels, if the
printer is currently not processing a job while the feature
is changed from the control panel, the printer treats the
feature change as a PJL reset condition and loads the
newly changed value into non-volatile RAM.)

3. If the PJL job uses the SET COPIES = 5 command to
change the number of copies, the PJL Current Environ­ment value changes to the selected setting (for example,

5). Otherwise, the number of copies setting remains the
same as set using the DEFAULT command or the con­trol panel (in this example, 3).

4. If the printer language (such as PCL or PostScript)
changes the number of copies setting to another value,
such as 8, the newly specified printer language value
overrides the PJL Current Environment value. If the
printer has a control panel, however, it still displays the
User Default Environment value set using the control
panel keys or the DEFAULT command (3).

5. The next PJL reset condition defaults the number of cop­ies setting to the value set from the control panel or by

Environment Commands 6-5

using the DEFAULT command (User Default Environ­ment). In this example, the number of copies feature set­ting then defaults to 3 after a PJL reset condition.

All other features operate similarly—if any feature is not
modified by a higher priority action, it keeps its current
value setting.

Example: Changing

Environment Settings

Command Sent Environment Setting

After PJL INITIALIZE or RESET MENU 1 1 1 1

@PJL DEFAULT COPIES=3 1311
@PJL SET COPIES = 4 1344
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE=PCL<LF>

<ESC>&l5X
<ESC>%-12345X 1333

Environment

Summary

This example shows the values stored in the different
environments when commands are issued. The example
begins with the number of copies set to 1 in all
environments (the Factory Default Environment setting).
The table reflects the current settings after each command.

Factory

Default

1345

As indicated previously, each print environment differs in
relation to how it is stored, how the settings are changed,
and how the PJL Current Environment can be defaulted.
The table on the following page summarizes the
characteristics of each print environment. For those
printers without a control panel, disregard any mention of
control panels. In these printers, User Default Environment
features are controlled using just the DEFAULT command.

User

Default

PJL

Current

Modified

Print

Note See Appendix A for a list of environment variables

6-6 Environment Commands

supported by each PJL printer.

Factory
Default
Environment

User Default
Environment

PJL Current
Environment

Modified Print
Environment

(Printer­Language
Specific)

Stored permanently in printer memory—settings cannot be modified.
Factory default settings cannot be read programmatically, but they are

listed in the PCL 5 Comparison Guide.
The User Default Environment is set to the factory default values when

the printer initially is powered on—before printer commands are sent
from an application or any control panel settings are changed.

Stored in non-volatile RAM in printers that have it—can be changed
using the DEFAULT command or control panel keys.

The INITIALIZE command loads the Factory Default settings into the
User Default Environment.

User default settings can be read using the DINQUIRE command.
Any PJL reset condition loads the User Default Environment feature

settings into the PJL Current Environment.
Always reflects the PJL-level settings currently in use.
Stored in RAM—can be changed using SET command. These values

override feature settings until the next PJL reset condition.
The INITIALIZE command loads the Factory Default settings into the

PJL Current Environment.
PJL Current Environment settings can be read using the INQUIRE

command.
Active as soon as printer receives any printer language commands

(such as PCL or PostScript commands). This environment contains all
of the feature settings currently in effect at any point after a printer
language is entered.

Printer language resets (such as the <ESC>E command in PCL), any
printer language switch, or the ENTER command load the PJL
Current Environment into the Modified Print Environment.

Stored in RAM—can be changed using printer language commands
(PCL, PostScript, and others). The printer language values override
any PJL Current Environment feature for the duration of the printer
language job (until the printer language is changed or a printer
language-specific reset is executed).

The Modified Print Environment settings can be read if the active
printer language supports this capability.

Environment Commands 6-7

PJL Reset
Conditions

“PJL reset conditions” are listed below. Note that PJL reset
conditions differ from printer language resets (such as
<ESC>E). Printer language resets load the PJL Current
Environment values into the Modified Print Environment.
PJL reset conditions are more powerful. They load the User
Default values into the PJL Current Environment, and also
into the Modified Print Environment.

In this document, the term PJL reset condition refers to
any of the following events:

Power-on
UEL command (when not between a JOB and EOJ

command pair)
@PJL INITIALIZE command
@PJL RESET command
@PJL JOB or EOJ command
Control panel reset
Other printer-specific events (see Appendix A for

information about job boundaries)

6-8 Environment Commands

Key Points to
Remember About
Environments

When using PJL to set the printer to a desired state,
remember the following points.

At the beginning of a PJL job, the current feature
settings are the same as the control panel values or those
features set with the DEFAUL T command.

When a printer language is entered, the current feature
settings (Modified Print Environment) become the same
as the PJL Current Environment. From this starting
point, the printer language commands modify the feature
settings. Printer language commands override all other
settings.

The PJL Current Environment settings can be changed
using the SET command. These settings take effect until
the next PJL reset condition.

The control panel settings (User Default Environment)
can be changed using the control panel or the DEFAULT
command. In printers without a control panel, the
default settings are modified with only the DEFAUL T
command.

The Modified Print Environment settings are changed
using printer language commands. These settings take
effect for the duration of the printer language job. After a
printer language-specific reset, such as <ESC>E for PCL,
the PJL Current Environment feature settings are
loaded into the Modified Print Environment.

If the SET command is used in a PJL job, always use the
PJL RESET command after the job is completed.

Environment Commands 6-9

PJL Environment
V ariables

This section lists the PJL environment variables. General PJL
environment variables (those not printer language-specific)
are listed first, followed by printer language-specific variables.
For most variables except the read-only variables, value
settings can be modified using the following commands:

SET — sets PJL Current Environment settings that
remain active until the next PJL reset condition.

RESET — the PJL RESET command defaults the
PJL Current Environment to the User Default
Environment (feature settings set with the DEFAULT
command or the control panel keys).

DEFAULT — modifies the User Default settings (stored
in NVRAM in those printers containing NVRAM).

INITIALIZE — defaults all environments to the Factory
Default settings.

You can request value settings for printer features using
the following two commands:

INQUIRE — requests the PJL Current Environment
settings.

DINQUIRE — requests the User Default (control panel)
settings.

(The INQUIRE and DINQUIRE commands are discussed in
Chapter 7.)

Note Whenever possible, use printer language commands to set

6-10 Environment Commands

printer features. Use PJL commands only when there are no
printer language commands available for a desired feature.

When setting printer features with PJL, use the SET and
RESET commands if you want to affect the current PJL job
only. Using the DEFAULT and INITIALIZE commands
affects the current job and succeeding jobs (these commands
should only be used when you require a command that
affects more than just the current job).

General PJL

Environment

Variables

The following table lists the PJL environment variables
that are not printer language-specific. When you use these
variables, do not use the LPARM : personality option. The
range of values for each variable may differ for the various
printer models. Appendix A lists the environment variables
and indicates which printers support each variable. Another
method of obtaining a list of valid variables and the range
of values for each variable is to send the INFO VARIABLES
command to request this information directly from the
printer. See the INFO command in Chapter 7 for more
information. You can find valuable information about
environment variables in the control panel sections of the
user’s manual for each printer.

Note Some environment variables can be modified using the

DEFAULT command but not the SET command, some can
be SET but not modified using DEFAULT, and some are
read only variables. Appendix A lists environment
variables, including read only variables, for all of the PJL
printers.

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

AUTOCONT Returns the autocontinue configuration. ON, OFF
AUTOSELECT Sets the default media tray autoselect feature

of the printer.

BINDING Sets the default relationship of the front and

back images on pages printed in duplex.

ON, OFF

LONGEDGE,
SHORTEDGE

Environment Commands 6-11

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

BITSPERPIXEL For PCL 6 only, this variable controls the

2, 1
number of bits per pixel used when printing
grayscale or color images. The valid values are
dependent on the current setting of RESOLU­TION. If RESOLUTION is 300 or 1200, the
only valid BITSPERPIXEL value is 1. If
RESOLUTION is 600, the only valid BITSPER­PIXEL values are 1 and 2. For FastRes 1200
printing, first set the RESOLUTION to 600
and then set BITSPERPIXEL to 2. For ProRes
1200, first set the RESOLUTION to 1200 and
then set BITSPERPIXEL to 1.

CLEARABLE­WARNINGS

Returns the configuration for displaying
clearable warnings (non-fatal error messages

JOB, ON
cleared by pressing the Continue key.) If the

value is set to JOB, then clearable warnings
generated by a job are displayed only until the
start of the next job. If the value is ON, then
clearable warnings are displayed until the user
presses the Continue key.

CONTEXT­SWITCH

Enables/disables the use of implicit personality
switching. If a job is sent without an ENTER

ON, OFF
LANGUAGE command, the printer looks for

context clues to determine which personality
takes effect. When the personality is changed,
memory is reconfigured and all downloaded
fonts, PCL macros, and PostScript dictionaries
are lost (however, no I/O data is lost).

COPIES Number of uncollated copies for each page of

1 to 999
the job.

COURIER Sets the version of the Courier font. REGULAR, DARK

6-12 Environment Commands

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

CPLOCK Sets the default control panel lockout state. If

CPLOCK is set to ON, users cannot modify
feature settings using the control panel keys.
CPLOCK can only be set by a secure job using

ON, OFF,
MINIMUM,
MODERATE,

MAXIMUM
the DEFAUL T command, and can be read
using the INQUIRE or DINQUIRE commands.
For more information, see the "Control Panel
Lock" portion of the "PJL Job Security" section
in Chapter 5.

DENSITY Returns the toner density setting. 1 to 5
DISKLOCK For volume 0 only, sets the default disk lockout

ON, OFF
state. If ON, the disk is read-only and it will
not be possible to format the disk, download
fonts, delete disk fonts, etc. If OFF, reading
and writing are enabled. This variable can
only be set by a secure job using the DEFAULT
command, and only queried using the
DINQUIRE command.

DUPLEX Sets the default mode to enable/disable

ON, OFF
printing on both sides of the paper. OFF
enables simplex and ON enables duplex
printing.

ECONOMODE Default for the ECONOMODE toner-saving

ON, OFF
feature used in many of the LaserJet printers.

FINISH Sets the LaserJet 5Si Mopier to staple the

NONE, STAPLE
printed output.

FORMLINES Number of lines per page. This variable is tied

5 to 128
to both the PAPER and ORIENTATION
variables. If the value of either of those
variables is changed, then the FORMLINES
variable automatically is updated to maintain
the same line spacing.

Range

Environment Commands 6-13

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

IMAGEADAPT Default for Image Adapt feature. ON enables

ON, OFF, AUTO
Lossy compression for use on any images that
need to have compression performed. AUTO
causes the printer to evaluate other compression
alternatives first before Lossy is considered. OFF
disables use of Lossy compression.

INTRAY1 Returns the auto-selection lock status for the

MP tray (LaserJet 4/4M, 4/4M Plus, 4V/4MV)

LOCKED,

UNLOCKED
or upper tray (LaserJet 4Si/4SiMx).

INTRAY2 Returns the auto-selection lock status for the

standard cassette (LaserJet 4/4M, 4/4M Plus,

LOCKED,

UNLOCKED
4V/4MV) or lower cassette (LaserJet 4Si/
4SiMx).

INTRAY3 Returns the auto-selection lock status for the

optional cassette (LaserJet 4/4M, 4/4M Plus,

LOCKED,

UNLOCKED
4V/4MV) or envelope feeder (LaserJet
4Si/4SiMx). INTRAY3 is a valid variable only if
installed. If it is not installed, the printer
returns “?” instead of LOCKED / UNLOCKED,
indicating that the variable is unknown.

INTRAY1SIZE Returns the size of the paper currently

installed in the MP tray (LaserJet 4/4M,
4/4M Plus, 4V/4MV), upper tray (LaserJet
4Si/4SiMx), or tray 1 (5/5M/5Si/5SiMx/5Si
Mopier/4000 series).

LETTER, LEGAL,

A3, A4, CUSTOM,

A5, LEDGER,

EXECUTIVE,

JISB4, JISB5, B5

COM10, C5, DL,

JPOST, JPOSTD,

MONARCH

INTRAY2SIZE Returns the size of the paper currently

installed in the standard cassette (LaserJet
4/4M, 4/4M Plus, 4V/4MV, 5/5M), lower
cassette (LaserJet 4Si/4SiMx), or tray 2
(5Si/5SiMx/5Si Mopier).

LETTER, LEGAL,

A4, A3, LEDGER,

EXECUTIVE,

JISB4, JISB5,

CUSTOM

Range

6-14 Environment Commands

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

INTRAY3SIZE Returns the size of the paper currently

installed in the optional cassette (LaserJet
4/4M, 4/4M Plus, 4V/4MV, 5/5M), envelope
feeder (LaserJet 4Si/4SiMx), or tray 3 (5Si/
5SiMx/5Si Mopier). INTRAY3SIZE is a valid
variable only if currently installed. If it is not
installed, the printer returns “?” instead of a

LETTER, LEGAL,
A4, A3, LEDGER,
EXECUTIVE,
JISB4, JISB5,
COM10,
MONARCH,
CUSTOM

paper size, indicating the variable is unknown.

INTRAY4SIZE Returns the size of the paper currently

installed in the envelope feeder. INTRAY4SIZE
is a valid variable only if the envelope feeder

COM10,
MONARCH, C5,

DL, B5
currently is installed. If it is not installed, the
printer returns “?” instead of an envelope size,
indicating that the variable is unknown.

INTRAY5SIZE Returns the size of the paper currently

installed in the first optional input tray.
INTRAY5SIZE is a valid variable only if the
optional tray currently is installed. If it is not
installed, the printer returns “?” instead of a

LETTER, LEGAL,

A4, A3, LEDGER,

JISB4, JISB5,

EXECUTIVE,

CUSTOM
tray size, indicating the variable is unknown.

INTRAY6SIZE
INTRAY7SIZE
INTRAY8SIZE

Returns the paper size currently installed in
these optional input trays. INTRAYxSIZE is
valid only if the optional tray is installed. If

LETTER, LEGAL,

A4, and others

(tray-dependent)
not installed, the printer returns “?” instead of
a tray size, indicating the variable is unknown.

IOBUFFER Sets the value of the I/O buffering variable. ON, OFF, AUTO
IOSIZE Sets up the size, in Kbytes, of the configurable

I/O buffers when IOBUFFER=ON. The size is

10 to maximum

available memory
set in increments of 10 Kbytes (up to 100
Kbytes, then in 100 Kbyte increments).

JOBATTR Used to append a string to a list of job

“Attribute String”
attribute strings associated with the current
job. These can be read through the PML object
JOB-INFO-JOB_ATTRn.

Environment Commands 6-15

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

JOBOFFSET Sets the default job offset state. ON, OFF
LANG Sets the default display language for the

display panel and unsolicited status feedback
display panel messages.

ENGLISH,
FRENCH,
GERMAN,
ITALIAN,
SPANISH,
SWEDISH,
CHINESE,
JAPANESE,
TURKISH,
POLISH,
NORWEGIAN,
and others (see
Appendix A)

LOWTONER Returns configuration for low-toner messages.

If ON or CONTINUE, printer remains online

ON, OFF, STOP,

CONTINUE
when the LOW TONER message is displayed;
if OFF or STOP, printer goes offline and waits
until On Line or Continue key is pressed.

MANUALFEED Manual feed mode. ON, OFF
MARGINS Sets the margins for the plot. The SMALLER

and EXTENDED values are used only with
roll-feed plotters to reduce the amount of

NORMAL,

SMALLER,

EXTENDED
waste media between plots.

MEDIASOURCE Sets the default location of the input media for

the current PJL job.

MEDIATYPE Sets the default media type for the current

PJL job.

TRAY1, TRAY2,

TRAY3

PAPER, SPECIAL,

TRANSPARENCY,

GLOSSY

MIRROR Horizontal reflection of plots. ON, OFF
MPTRAY Returns the configuration value of the multi-

purpose tray.

CASSETTE,

MANUAL, FIRST

6-16 Environment Commands

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

ORIENTATION Page orientation. PORTRAIT,

LANDSCAPE

OUTBIN Sets the default output bin. (For HP LaserJet

4Si, 4SiMx, 4000 series, 5Si, 5SiMx, 5Si
Mopier printers, the UPPER output bin is a
face-down, correct-order bin. The LOWER
output bin is a face-up reverse-order bin.)

OUTLINEPOINT­SIZE

Sets the point size used by PCL-XL to switch
from printing characters as bitmaps to

UPPER, LOWER,
OPTIONALOUT–
PUTBIN1, . . .
OPTIONALOUT–
PUTBIN62

0 to 999

printing them as outlines.

PAGEPROTECT Page protection configuration. The page

protection feature reserves a block of printer
memory to prevent printer overrun errors

OFF, LETTER,
LEGAL, A4,

AUTO, ON
(error 21) when formatting very dense or
complex images, especially HP-GL/2 images.
The variable can be set to any legal value at
any time, regardless of the current amount of
free memory or the currently set resolution.
When a job is sent, if there is not enough
memory to print correctly with the current
resolution and page protection configuration,
the system temporarily overrides the
resolution and/or page protect values to run
the job. In these cases, the job may be printed
at 300 dpi without page protection. When the
page protection status is changed, memory is
reconfigured and all downloaded fonts, PCL
macros, and PostScript dictionaries are lost
(however, no I/O data is lost). Refer to
“Commands that Affect Printer Memory” in
Appendix A.

PALETTESOURCE Specifies how color settings are derived, either

from the device’s control-panel settings or

DEVICE,

SOFTWARE
through the software application.

Environment Commands 6-17

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

PAPER Physical paper (and envelope) sizes. Letter,

Legal, Ledger , A5, A4, A3, Executive, JISB4,
and JISB5 are paper sizes; Com10, C5, DL,
Monarch, and B5 are envelope sizes; JPOST
and JPOSTD are Japanese postcard sizes;
CUSTOM is for feeding different sizes, but it
varies with the printer: the LaserJet 4P/4MP
printers interpret CUSTOM as odd sizes, such
as 3 x 5 cards and labels; the LaserJet 4V/4MV
printers interpret CUSTOM as 11.7" x 17.7"
paper.

PAPERLENGTH Sets the length of the paper in decipoints

LETTER, LEGAL,
A5, A4,
EXECUTIVE,
LEDGER, A3,
COM10, C5, DL,
MONARCH, B5,
CUSTOM, JISB4,
JISB5, JPOST,
JPOSTD
and others
(see Appendix A)

0 to 432000

(1/720th of an inch).

PAPERWIDTH Sets the width of the paper in decipoints

0 to 432000

(1/720th of an inch).

PARALLEL Sets the speed of the parallel port. This will

FAST, SLOW

not take effect until the next power cycle.

PASSWORD Default password for PJL security. 0 to 65535

6-18 Environment Commands

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

PERSONALITY Personality for implicit switching (implicit

switching refers to switching to the default
personality without explicitly doing so with the
@PJL ENTER command). Note that the value

AUTO, PCL,

INSTALLED,

POSTSCRIPT,

ESCP
string (PCL, POSTSCRIPT, and so on) for each
installed personality is defined by the
personality itself. If the AUTO option is
selected, and a job is sent without an ENTER
LANGUAGE command, the printer looks for
context clues to determine which personality
takes effect (except in the case of ESC/P, which
cannot be selected using context switching).
When the personality is changed, memory is
reconfigured and all downloaded fonts, PCL
macros, and PostScript dictionaries are lost
(however, no I/O data is lost). Refer to
“Commands that Affect Printer Memory” in
Appendix A.

For the LaserJet 4PJ, this variable is assigned
on a per-port basis (see “Port-Specific Variables”).

Range

For the DeskJet 1200C, setting this variable to
INSTALLED causes the printer to select the
default personality from those available. It
selects from the available optional
personalities before resorting to those
available on a standard printer. Reading back
the variable identifies the selected variable.

POWERSAVE Enables or disables power-saving feature. ON, OFF
POWERSAVETIME Sets the time (in minutes) the printer will

15, 30, 60, 120, 180
remain idle before it enters powersave mode if
powersave is on.

Environment Commands 6-19

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

PRINTAREA INKEDAREA sets the DesignJet to shift the

plot to the top/left and advance the page cut in

FULLSIZE,
INKEDAREA

order to save media.

PRINTQUALITY Sets the default print quality for the current

PJL job.

DRAFT,

NORMAL, HIGH
QTY Sets the number of collated copies of a job. 1 to 999
RENDERMODE Sets the render mode for the personality. COLOR,

GRAYSCALE
REPRINT Determines whether pages are reprinted after

AUTO, OFF, ON

a paper jam. When AUTO is selected and the
amount of RAM installed is below a printer­specific threshold, pages are not reprinted
after a jam. If the amount of RAM installed is
more than this threshold, the pages are
reprinted. The ON setting causes the printer to
reprint the job after a paper jam. The OFF
setting disables reprinting.

RESOLUTION Print resolution in dots per inch. When a job is

300, 600

sent, if there is not enough memory to run
with the current resolution and page
protection configuration, the system
temporarily overrides the resolution and/or
page-protect values to run the job. When the
resolution is changed, memory is reconfigured
and all downloaded fonts, PCL macros, and
PostScript dictionaries are lost (however, no
I/O data is lost). Refer to “Commands that

Affect Printer Memory” in Appendix A.
RESOURCESAVE Sets the value of the resource-saving variable. ON, OFF, AUTO
RESOURCE-

SAVESIZE

(This variable is set as a personality-specific

variable using LPARM : personality.) Sets the

size of the resource saving area for the

specified personality if RESOURCESAVE=ON.

0 to maximum
available memory
(in 100 Kbyte
increments)

6-20 Environment Commands

General PJL Environment Variables

Variable Description Sample Value

RET Configuration of the Resolution Enhancement

hardware. Resolution Enhancement
technology (REt) improves the print quality of

LIGHT, MEDIUM,
DARK, ON, OFF,

AUTO
characters and graphics by smoothing the
edges of lines. Most users do not need to adjust
this feature since the default setting works
well for almost every type of job.

TIMEOUT Duration of I/O timeouts in seconds. If the

5 to 300
printer waits longer than the timeout value
without receiving any data, it ends the print
job and begins accepting data from other I/O
ports, if any. In most cases, do not adjust this
feature unless the printer times out during
normal operation, in which case you can try
extending the timeout duration. (See the
“Timeouts” description in Appendix A.)

WIDEA4 Changes the margins/printable area of A4

NO, YES
paper so that 80 10-pitch characters may be
printed on a line.

Range

Environment Commands 6-21

Port-Specific

Variables

(LaserJet 4PJ Only)

Variables Description Sample Value Range

The following variable is I/O port-specific in the HP
LaserJet 4PJ printer, and can be set and requested using
PJL. This variable must be set using the IPARM : port
option. For the HP LaserJet 4PJ, the valid values for port
are SERIAL and PARALLEL.

Port-Specific Variables

PERSONALITY Personality for implicit switching (implicit

switching refers to switching to the default
personality without explicitly doing so with the
@PJL ENTER command). Note that the value
string (PCL, ESCP, and so on) for each
installed personality is defined by the
personality itself. When the personality is
changed, memory is reconfigured and all
downloaded fonts and PCL macros are lost
(however, no I/O data is lost). Refer to
“Commands that Affect Printer Memory” in
Appendix A.

PCL, ESCP

6-22 Environment Commands

PCL-Specific

Variables

The following variables are PCL-specific and can be set and
requested using PJL. These variables must be set using the
LPARM : PCL option. A sample value range is shown in this
table. See Appendix A for the actual value range for each
PJL printer, or use the INFO VARIABLES command to
request these values from the printer.

Note These variables are listed in alphabetical order, not the

order they are used. The recommended order for setting
FONTNUMBER, FONTSOURCE, and SYMSET is
SYMSET first, then FONTSOURCE, then FONTNUMBER.

PCL-Specific Variables

Variables Description Sample Value Range

FONTNUMBER Font number. The valid range for this variable

depends on the currently set font source. If the
font source contains a default-marked font, the
values start at 0; otherwise, the values start at

1. The upper limit depends on the number of
installed fonts in the font source. For example,
if there are 50 fonts in the font source and
there is a default-marked font, the FONT­NUMBER values range from 0 to 49. In the
same situation without a default-marked font,
the values range from 1 to 50.

(continued on the following page)

0, 1, 2, . . . n

Environment Commands 6-23

PCL-Specific Variables

Variables Description Sample Value Range

FONTNUMBER

(continued)

If the value of the FONTSOURCE changes,
then the FONTNUMBER variable
automatically is changed to the lowest
numbered font in the new font source (0 if the
new font source contains a default-marked
font; 1 if it does not). If the SYMSET variable
changes, the FONTSOURCE and
FONTNUMBER default to the highest priority
default-marked font (lowest numbered font).
When the printer searches for the highest
priority default-marked font, cartridges have
the highest priority, then SIMMs, then internal
default-marked fonts (downloaded soft fonts
have the highest priority, but there cannot be a
default-marked soft font). NOTE: the
recommended order for setting FONT­NUMBER, FONTSOURCE, and SYMSET is
SYMSET first, then FONTSOURCE, then
FONTNUMBER.

Also, if the currently set font source is S while
the currently set font number is the highest­numbered soft font, and a soft font is deleted,
the FONTSOURCE variable is changed to the
next highest priority font source containing a
default-marked font. The FONTNUMBER
variable is tied to both the FONTSOURCE and
SYMSET variables.

0, 1, 2, . . . n

6-24 Environment Commands

PCL-Specific Variables

Variables Description Sample Value Range

FONTSOURCE The valid values for FONTSOURCE are:

I (Internal Fonts)
C, C1, C2 (Cartridge Fonts)
S (Permanent Soft Fonts)
M1, M2, M3, M4 (Fonts stored in one of
the printer’s ROM SIMM slots)

The valid values for this variable depend on
the currently installed font base. If a font
source is specified which does not contain any
fonts, then the value is ignored, causing a PJL
27001 error (if verbose unsolicited device
status is enabled).

The following events automatically change the
value of the FONTSOURCE variable to the
next highest priority font source containing a
default-marked font: if the currently set font
source is C, C1, or C2, and the cartridge is
removed from the printer; if the currently set
font source is S and all soft fonts are deleted;
if the currently set font source is S, while the
currently set font number is the highest­numbered soft font, and any soft font is
deleted.

I, M1, M2, M3, M4,
C, C1, C2, S

(the number of
cartridge and SIMM
slots varies by
printer)

NOTE: the recommended order for setting
FONTNUMBER, FONTSOURCE, and
SYMSET is SYMSET first, then FONT­SOURCE, then FONTNUMBER.

PITCH Pitch of the default font in units of characters

per inch (the default font must be a fixed-pitch
scalable font). The pitch value can be specified
to two decimal places.

0.44, 0.45, . . . 99.99

Environment Commands 6-25

PCL-Specific Variables

Variables Description Sample Value Range

PTSIZE Height of the default font in units of points (the

default font must be a proportional scalable
font). The point size is significant to a quarter
of a point.

SYMSET Symbol set. (If the currently selected SYMSET

is WIN3.1J, then the default PCL text parsing
method is set to Shift-JIS compatible parsing
[WIN3.1J is only available in the HP LaserJet
4PJ, the HP LaserJet 4LJ Pro, and the HP
LaserJet 4V/4MV when ESC/P is installed].)

On the HP LaserJet 4LC printer, if the
SYMSET is GB2312 then the default PCL text
parsing method is set to GB-compatible
parsing. [GB2312 is only available in the
HP LaserJet 4LC printer.]

4.00, 4.25, . . . 999.75

ROMAN8, ISOL1,
ISOL2, ISOL5, PC8,
PC8DN, PC850,
PC852, PC8TK,
WINL1, WINL2,
WINL5, DESKTOP,
PSTEXT, VNINTL,
VNUS, MSPUBL,
MATH8, PSMATH,
VNMATH, PIFONT,
LEGAL, ISO4, ISO6,
ISO11, ISO15,
ISO17, ISO21,
ISO60, ISO69,
WIN30, WIN31J,
GB2312

6-26 Environment Commands

PostScript-Specific

Variables

Variable Description Sample Value Range

The following table lists the currently defined
PostScript-specific variables. These variables can be set
using the LPARM : POSTSCRIPT option.

ADOBEMBT Normally, when PostScript formats a page in

memory for printing, it formats a full page (full
frame). This is the normal operation for
PostScript (Adobe MBT set to OFF). In order
for the printer to format full frame it must
have sufficient memory to store the full page.
If there is not sufficient memory the printer
will perform some compression on the page to
get it to fit in memory. Printed images on these
pages may result in the loss of some detail
from the original. This formatting method
requires considerable memory. With
ADOBEMBT ON (enabled), the printer
formats a PostScript page in strips. This
method does not require as much memory and
will not result in loss of detail in images,
however it is a little slower and can require up
to 20% more formatting time. With
ADOBEMBT set to AUTO, the printer will
select either full frame, depending on the
selected page size and the amount of memory
available, or ADOBE MBT. For example, if
letter is the page size and the printer has 7 Mb
of memory available, the printer will print full
frame (disable MBT); if less than 7 Mb is
available, the printer will enable MBT and
process the page in strips.

OFF, ON, AUTO

JAMRECOVERY Enab l e s o r d i s a bl e s t h e p r in t i n g o f ja mmed

pages following a paper jam. The OFF setting
boosts printer performance, but lost pages are
not automatically printed after clearing the jam.

PRTPSERRS This variable enables or disables the printing

of a PostScript error page.

OFF, ON

OFF, ON

Environment Commands 6-27

ESC/P-Specific

Variables

Note If ESC/P is installed in HP LaserJet 4V and 4MV printers

The following table lists the currently defined
ESC/P-specific variables which are valid only for HP
LaserJet 4PJ and 4LJPro printers, and optionally for HP
LaserJet 4V and 4MV printers. These variables can be set
using the LPARM : ESCP option. Note that HP LaserJet
4PJ, 4V, and 4MV factory defaults for these variables are in
parentheses.

and a menu reset or cold reset is performed, the printer
defaults to FONTNUMBER = 0, FONTSOURCE = I,
SYMSET = ROMAN8 and PERSONALITY = AUTO. To
re-establish ESC/P as the default personality, set ESC/P as
the default personality using PJL or the control panel (in
Japan, users can send the ESCPDEF.PJL file).

To print Japanese via PCL using the MS Mincho or MS
Gothic typefaces, set the SYMSET to WIN31J,
FONTSOURCE to the SIMM slot containing the MS
Mincho or MS Gothic font (usually M4), and set
FONTNUMBER to 1 for MS Mincho or 2 for MS Gothic.
Also set the personality to AUTO or PCL. (Alternatively, in
Japan, users can configure the printer for PCL using the
PCLDEF.PJL file.)

6-28 Environment Commands

Variable Description Sample Value

Range

CARRIAGE­RETURN

Controls how ESC/P interprets the carriage return
(CR) control character. The valid values for CARRIAGE-

(CR), CRLF

RETURN are: CR–CR maps to carriage return;
CRLF–CR maps to carriage return and linefeed.

CHARACTER­SET

Default character set used for 1-byte printing. Valid
values for CHARACTERSET are: KANA–Use katakana

(KANA), EG

character set; EG–Use extended graphics character set.

TOPMARGIN Valid values for TOPMARGIN are: TM19MM–sets top

margin to 19 mm; TM6MM–sets top margin to 6 mm.

ANKCONDENSE Enables or disables whether alphanumeric/kana (ANK)

(TM19MM),
TM6MM

ON, (OFF)

characters are printed in condensed mode by default.

FONT Default font used when printing in Kanji mode. (MSMINCHO)

MSGOTHIC

Environment Commands 6-29

Setting the Printer
to a Desired State

At the beginning of each print job, printer features which
affect the printed output must be set to a desired state to print
the job as expected. This can be accomplished in two ways:

If the printer has a control panel, the user sets the
control panel to values that are appropriate for all users
sharing the printer.

For features that must be set on a job-by-job basis, use
printer language commands. If a feature cannot be set
with a printer language, use PJL.

Applications that generate print data, such as word
processors, spreadsheets, and graphics programs, should
ensure that the printer is set to a desired state as follows (see
Chapter 10 for a description of the various application types):

1. Send the UEL command (<ESC>%-12345X) to start PJL
and to default the print environment to the User Default
Environment settings.

2. Use the SET command to modify any currently defined envi­ronment variables that cannot be set using the desired
printer language. For example, use PJL to set variables
such as RET or P AGE PROTECTION that cannot be set
with a printer language; then use PCL or another printer
language to set the remaining environment variables, such
as orientation and number of copies.

Note Do not set features that you do not enable users to set from

6-30 Environment Commands

your application. Any feature set by the application should
enable the user to control that feature—this strategy prevents
the user from being “locked out” of a particular feature.

3. Enter the desired printer language and use printer lan­guage commands to set all other environment variables
to the desired settings.

4. If using a SET command to modify an environment vari­able, use a RESET command to return to its default state.

Example: Setting the

Printer to a Desired

State

The following example demonstrates setting HP LaserJet 4
and 4M printers to a known state. For the specific printer
you are configuring, consider which environment features
you can modify. The modifiable environment features for
HP LaserJet 4 and 4M printers are listed below (see
Appendix A for a list of environment variables supported by
each PJL printer):

COPIES FORMLINES
PAPER MANUALFEED
ORIENTATION RET
PAGEPROTECT PERSONALITY *
RESOLUTION TIMEOUT *
FONTSOURCE PTSIZE
FONTNUMBER SYMSET
PITCH PRTPSERRS

* PERSONALITY and TIMEOUT do not affect the printed output and gener­ally should not be used.

Of these HP LaserJet 4 and 4M features, only RET,
P AGEPROTECT, and RESOLUTION affect the printed
output and cannot be set using the printer language (in this
case, PCL). These features are set using PJL, as the following
lines show:

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL SET RET = MEDIUM <CR><LF>
@PJL SET PAGEPROTECT = OFF <CR><LF>
@PJL SET RESOLUTION = 300 <CR><LF>
@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL <CR><LF>
<ESC>E . . Use PCL to set copies, paper,
orientation, line spacing, manual feed, and
font selection— values not set using PJL
<ESC>E
~<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL RESET <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Environment Commands 6-31

DEFAULT
Command

The DEFAULT command sets the User Default
Environment value for the specified environment variable.
This value is stored in non-volatile RAM (if the printer has
NVRAM) and is activated following a PJL reset condition.
The DEFAUL T command does not affect the current print
environment, but takes effect when a PJL reset condition
occurs. Use this command to change the default value for
any environment setting.

For printers that support the P ASSWORD variable, the
DEF AULT command will not take effect unless used within a
secure job (a job with the correct password in the JOB
command).

Note In situations where the printer is shared by several users,

such as networks, restrict the use of the DEFAULT
command using PJL security mechanisms. This
recommendation allows a standard print environment to be
used and avoids having default features changed by
different print jobs. Instead, if a printer feature must be
changed from the default for a particular print job, use the
SET command. In this way, jobs can be successfully printed
in any order, since they are not affected by settings from
previous jobs.

6-32 Environment Commands

When the DEFAUL T command is used to change the
PAGE-PROTECT, RESOLUTION, RESOURCESAVE,
RESOURCESAVESIZE, IOBUFFER, or IOSIZEstatus, the
printer memory is reconfigured. Reconfiguring printer
memory erases all downloaded fonts, PCL macros, and
PostScript dictionaries, however no I/O data is lost. Refer to
“Commands that Affect Printer Memory” in Appendix A.

Syntax: @PJL DEFAULT [LPARM :

IPARM :

LPARM : personality — This optional parameter is
used to set personality-specific environment variables.
PCL is a valid personality. Other personalities, such as
PostScript, can be added as hardware options. Use the
INFO CONFIG command to request the range of values
for all personalities installed in a particular printer.

LPARM : personality — This option must be used
when setting personality-specific variables.

IPARM : port — This optional parameter is used to set
port-specific variables. The HP LaserJet 4PJ is the only
printer which supports port-specific variables.

IPARM : port — This option must be used when setting
port-specific variables. Valid values for port for the HP
LaserJet 4PJ printer are SERIAL and PARALLEL.

variable = value — This parameter sets one of the
environment variables to the specified value. For
example, the @PJL DEFAULT RESOLUTION = 600
command sets the default resolution to 600 dots per inch.
See Appendix A for a list of variables and values for each
printer. If you need a more detailed description of a
particular variable, see the “Environment Variables”
section earlier in this chapter.

port] variable

personality

= v

alue

[<CR>]<LF>

|

Note The supported variables and range of values for each

variable may not be the same in all HP LaserJet printer
models. See Appendix A for a list of the variables and range
of values for each PJL printer. You can also obtain valid
variables and the range of values for each variable by
sending the INFO VARIABLES command to request this
information directly from the printer.

Environment Commands 6-33

Parameters:

Parameter Variable Names

personality PCL ESCP

POSTSCRIPT (Other personalities may

also be supported)

port PARALLEL Supported on

SERIAL

variable Valid variables for each printer are listed in

Appendix A.

LaserJet 4PJ only

Comments: The DEFAULT command enables you to specify default

values for either general variables, which are used by all
personalities, or personality-specific variables. All
personality-specific variables, such as the default PCL
symbol set or the PostScript-specific variable PRTPSERRS,
must be set using this option. Variables that are not
personality-specific cannot be set using the LPARM :
personality option.

All port-specific variables must be set using the IPARM:

port option. Variables that are not port-specific cannot be

set using the IPARM : port option.
Default values set with this command affect the printer

control panel value and the feature setting stored in
non-volatile RAM (in those printers that have a control
panel and NVRAM). However, these values do not affect the
print environment until a PJL reset condition occurs (see
“PJL Reset Conditions” for a list of printer events that
constitute a PJL reset). Consequently, if you want the
default values to take effect immediately, send a RESET
command after sending the DEFAUL T command(s).

6-34 Environment Commands

A separate DEFAULT command must be sent for each
environment variable you specify. The command may be
used to set any environment variable except the read-only
variables. See the “Environment Variables” section of this
chapter for a description of each environment variable.

Example: Modifying

User Default Settings

This example sets page protection to LETTER for all
personalities, and selects the PC8 symbol set for all PCL
jobs. A RESET command follows the DEFAULT commands
so that the PJL Current Environment defaults to the new
settings.

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT User Defaults <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT PAGEPROTECT = LETTER <CR><LF>
@PJL DEFAULT LPARM : PCL SYMSET = PC8 <CR><LF>
@PJL RESET <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Related Commands: RESET, SET, JOB, EOJ, UEL

Environment Commands 6-35

INITIALIZE
Command

The INITIALIZE command resets the PJL Current
Environment and the User Default Environment variables to
their Factory Default values. This command does not affect the
I/O configuration values, some of the configuration values, and
the unsolicited status settings. Use the INITIALIZE command
to set the printer environment values to their factory default
state, such as when you move the printer to a new installation
site. (This command is not intended for frequent use, since it
resets most environments and control panel settings.)

For printers that support the P ASSWORD variable, the
INITIALIZE command will not take effect unless it is used
within a secure job (if a password is in use, a secure job is one
that contains the correct password in the JOB command).

Note In situations where the printer is shared by several users,

such as networks, restrict the INITIALIZE command. This
recommendation allows a standard print environment to be
used and avoids having default features changed by
different print jobs. In this way, jobs may be successfully
printed in any order since they are not affected by settings
from previous jobs.

Syntax: @PJL INITIALIZE [<CR>]<LF>

Parameters: The INITIALIZE command has no parameters.

Comments: The INITIALIZE command resets the following

Note Because personalities can be dynamically added to some

6-36 Environment Commands

environment variables to their Factory Default values.

HP LaserJet printers, these printers support more
personality-specific variables than those listed here. In any
case, the INITIALIZE command causes the PJL Current
and User Default environment values for all personalities
to default to their factory default state.

Variable Names

BINDING ORIENTATION
COPIES OUTBIN
CPLOCK PAGEPROTECT
DISKLOCK PAPER
DUPLEX PASSWORD
ECONOMODE PERSONALITY
FINISH QTY
FORMLINES REPRINT
IMAGEADAPT RESOLUTION
JOBOFFSET RET
MANUALFEED TIMEOUT

PCL-Specific Variables

FONTNUMBER PTSIZE
FONTSOURCE SYMSET
PITCH

PostScript-Specific Variables

JAMRECOVERY PRTPSERRS

ESC/P-Specific Variables

ANKCONDENSE FONT
CARRIAGERETURN TOPMARGIN
CHARACTERSET

Note The environment variables may vary with different HP

LaserJet printer models. See Appendix A for a list of valid
variables, or send the INFO VARIABLES command to
request this information directly from the printer.

Environment Commands 6-37

Example: Using the

This example initializes the printer:

INITIALIZE Command

<ESC>%-12345X@PJL <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT Initialize settings to <CR><LF>
@PJL COMMENT factory defaults <CR><LF>
@PJL INITIALIZE <CR><LF>
<ESC>%-12345X

Related Commands: DEFAULT, RESET, SET

6-38 Environment Commands