PCL
2-60
Command Structure
This section introduces the different types of PCL emulation commands and their
structure, or syntax. It also demonstrates how you can link commands to abbreviate
them.
Control Codes
Control Codes are single-character instructions.
Commands
PCL commands are multibyte strings (also known as “escape sequences”) that begin
with the Escape control code (
ESC
,
←
, decimal 27, or hexadecimal 1B). The
ESC
control
code notifies the printer that the characters that follow are to be interpreted as part of
a command and are not control codes or data to be printed.
Table 2-23: Control Codes
Code
Dec
Hex
Function
Result
BS
8
08
Backspace
Moves the cursor toward the left margin one horizontal space equal to
the last printed character
HT
9
09
Horizontal Tab
Moves the cursor to the next defined tab stop
LF
10
0A
Line Feed
Advances the cursor to the same horizontal position on the following line
as determined by either the Vertical Motion Index (VMI) or Set Line
Spacing command
FF
12
0C
Form Feed
Advances the cursor to the same horizontal position at the top margin of
the next page
CR
13
0D
Carriage Return
Moves the cursor to the left margin
SP
32
20
Space
Moves the cursor to the right one column
SI
15
0F
Primary Font
Selects the primary font
SO
14
0E
Secondary Font
Selects the secondary font