M065/M066 Correspondence White Paper Ver. 3.0
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2-7-8 HPT (Host Print Transform)
Host Print Transform function is supported as standard by AS/400 since V2R3. It is the most basic
data stream transformer.
Here are some AS/400 data streams.
SCS (SNA Character String)
SCS is a data stream for a line dot printer, and can deal with only text data. As font data is not included
in the data stream, the data is printed as default font.
AFPDS (Advanced Function Printing Data Stream)
AFPDS is a data stream that does not depend upon types of OS and kinds of printer, and can print out
text, font, image and graphic data.
IPDS (Intelligent Printer Data Stream)
IPDS can print out text, font, image and graphic data like AFPDS.
It is the most remarkable feature that AS/400 host can allow bi-directional communication with printers,
and it enables to feedback the printer status to the host.
HPT supports SCS and AFPDS and it transforms EBICDIC data to ASCII data.
In Windows environment, first of all, customer needs to install a printer driver to the PC and configure
it.
In case of AS/400, the situation is same. You need a kind of printer driver. MFRTYPEMDL* play the
role in AS/400. Also, to add a new printing function in AS/400 system, the function should be defined in
an original setting file, WSCST (Workstation customization object*).
*MFTYPEMDL
：
Manufacture Type and Model
Object included in HPT, which is kind of printer driver for certain printer.
(The positioning of MFRTYPMDL is similar to Microsoft Mini Driver.)
*Workstation Customization Object (WCO): Setting file for printers to use HPT (Host Print
Transform) of OS/400 functions.
One of the object files included in HPT.
Can be updated by the customer to change or add characteristics to a particular printer
(MFRTYPMDL).
