Double-byte data printed on alphanumeric printers

Printing DBCS output on an alphanumeric printer can result in degradation of system performance.

In addition, the following occurs using printer files that are indicated to be DBCS-capable through DDS or with the IGCDTA parameter:

• For direct printer output, the system prints the file and sends a diagnostic message describing the situation to your program message queue.

  Instead of printing double-byte data, the system prints double-byte characters as underscores (__) and prints shift-control characters as blanks (  ). Although the system does not print the individual double-byte characters, they are correctly stored in the system.

• For spooled printer output, the system sends an inquiry message to the message queue named on the Start Printer Writer (STRPRTWTR) command. This message lets you do the following:
  • Continue printing. When you continue printing, the system prints the file but does not print double-byte characters within it. Instead, the system prints double-byte characters as underscores (__) and prints shift-control characters as blanks (  ). Although the system does not print the individual double-byte characters, they are correctly stored in the system.
  • Hold the spooled file so that you can transfer it to an output queue used only for DBCS output. See Move a spooled file for instructions on transferring a spooled file.
  • Cancel printing altogether.