Direct printing is when the *SPOOL parameter in the printer file is set to *NO and output data is written directly to the printer.
A printer can be shared between a printer writer and direct print jobs. To allow direct print jobs as well as spooled files for a printer, specify *YES on the ALWDRTPRT parameter of the Start (PRTWTR) command. This causes the printer writer to release the printer for direct print jobs when either of the following conditions is true:
When using direct printing, you must also be concerned with the WAITFILE parameter in the printer file. The WAITFILE parameter specifies how long a direct print job should wait if the printer is busy before being cancelled. The default value for the WAITFILE parameter is *IMMED. It is recommended that the WAITFILE parameter be set to 2 or 3 minutes. If you set the value of the WAITFILE too large, you can tie up your interactive session while waiting for the job to print.
The STRPRTWTR command can be modified to allow all printers being started to accept direct print jobs. Use the Change Command Default (CHGCMDDFT) command to set the value of the value of the ALWDRTPRT parameter to *YES. Thereafter, when the STRPRTWTR command is used, direct printing is enabled.
The Change Writer (CHGWTR) command cannot be used to enable direct printing.
Direct printing is not supported on printers configured for Advanced Function Presentation™ (AFP™).
For more information about direct printing, see Direct print considerations.