The queue manager (QUEMAN) is required for execution (batch) or print queues, except for the UNIX-like LPR/LPD print queues. It is started with START/QUEUE/MANAGER.
The queue manager database is located with the logical QMAN$MASTER.
Print and batch queues are created with the INITIALIZE/QUEUE command.
Queues may be autostarted (in case of node failure) or started explicitly.
Print queues normally need additional information to characterize the printer. This is defined with SET TERMINAL, SET PRINTER, and SET DEVICE commands.
Printer farms are headed with generic queues.
Printer forms can be created to define specific paper characteristics (e.g., width, length) and to help the operator manage which physical forms are mounted in a specific printer.
Printer control libraries can be created to automatically send text and escape sequences before and/or after each job is printed. This ensures that the printer is properly configured to print the specific file.
Queues for PostScript printers are treated differently, and files can be automatically converted to PostScript format for printing.
UNIX-like LPR/LPD is also supported by OpenVMS.