Page Description Languages


A Page Description Language (PDL) is a series of commands used for controlling printed page layout. Think of a PDL as a markup language like HTML. A PDL is a series of commands and escape sequences that are embedded into the print data.

A Printer Job Language (PJL) controls job separation, changing and reporting the printer status, changing of printer settings, and PDL language changing between jobs. PJL acts as a wrapper around the PDL(s).

Several examples of PDLs are shown in the following list:

  • PostScript PostScript was developed by Adobe. It is a tagged markup language that is rendered into raster by the print driver, filter script, or printer hardware.

  • PCL PCL was developed by Hewlett-Packard. It is also a tagged language. It uses escape sequences.

  • HP/GL HP/GL was developed by Hewlett-Packard. It is the industry standard PDL for plotters.

  • Other formats Raw graphics such as TIFF and JPEG can be interpreted by some printers.



Linux Troubleshooting for System Administrators and Power Users
Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups
ISBN: 131855158
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 129
Authors: Joe Kissell

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