NAME

printcap − printer capability data base

SYNOPSIS

/etc/printcap

DESCRIPTION

printcap is a simplified version of the termcap(4) data base used to describe line printers.  The spooling system accesses the printcap file every time it is used, allowing dynamic addition and deletion of printers.  Each entry in the data base is used to describe one printer.  This data base may not be substituted for, as is possible for termcap, because it may allow accounting to be bypassed. 

The default printer is normally lp, though the environment variables PRINTER or LPDEST may be used to override this.  Each spooling utility supports an option, −Pprinter, to allow explicit naming of a destination printer. 

Refer to the CX/UX Adminstrator’s Reference Manual for a complete discussion on how setup the database for a given printer. 

CAPABILITIES

Refer to termcap for a description of the file layout. 

 NameTypeDefault Description
afstrNULLname of accounting file
brnumnoneif lp is a tty, set the baud rate (ioctl call)
cfstrNULLcifplot data filter
dfstrNULLtex data filter (DVI format)
fcnum0if lp is a tty, clear flag bits (sgtty.h)
ffstr“\f”string to send for a form feed
foboolfalseprint a form feed when device is opened
fsnum0like ‘fc’ but set bits
gfstrNULLgraph data filter (plot (3X) format)
icboolfalsedriver supports (non standard) ioctl to indent
  printout
ifstrNULLname of text filter which does accounting
lfstr“/dev/console”error logging file name
lpstr“/dev/lp”device name to open for output
nfstrNULLditroff data filter (device independent troff)
ofstrNULLname of output filtering program
plnum66page length (in lines)
pwnum132page width (in characters)
pxnum0page width in pixels (horizontal)
pynum0page length in pixels (vertical)
rfstrNULLfilter for printing FORTRAN style text files
rmstrNULLmachine name for remote printer
rpstr“lp”remote printer name argument
rsboolfalserestrict remote users to those with local
  accounts
rwboolfalseopen the printer device for reading and
  writing
sbboolfalseshort banner (one line only)
sfboolfalsesuppress form feeds
shboolfalsesuppress printing of burst page header
tfstrNULLtroff data filter (cat phototypesetter)
trstrNULLtrailer string to print when queue empties
vfstrNULLraster image filter
xcnum0if lp is a tty, clear local mode bits (tty (4))
xsnum0like ‘xc’ but set bits

Error messages sent to the console have a carriage return and a line feed appended to them, rather than just a line feed. 

If the local line printer driver supports indentation, the daemon must understand how to invoke it. 

SEE ALSO

termcap(4), lpadmin(1M), lpd(1M), pac(1M), lpr(1), lp(1), lpq(1), lpstat(1), lprm(1) cancel(1)
CX/UX Adminstrator’s Reference Manual

BUGS

The following standard printcap options are not supported.  NameDescriptionChanges

dudaemon user idignored
scsuppress multiple copiesignored
loname of lock fileignored
mcmaximum number of copiesignored
mxmax file size in blocksno limit
sdspool directoryignored
ststatus file nameignored

CX/UX Programmer’s Reference Manual