Attributes of an output queue

The output queue controls how printer output files (also called spooled files) are processed and who has the authority to perform actions on the output queue and associated printer output.

Because most of the information that you print on the iSeries™ system is created as printer output, security is necessary to prevent unauthorized users access to confidential or sensitive material. Authority to check, data authorization, operator control, spool control, or being the owner allows you to access and makes changes to an output queue or printer output file. You need one of the following authorities to perform any action on an output queue or printer output:

Authority to check
You must be the owner of the queue or have data authorization.
Display data
When this authority is set to *YES, it allows you to perform such actions as viewing, moving, sending output to another system, and copying printer output.
Operator control
If this attribute is set to *YES, users with *JOBCTL special authority are authorized to perform actions like hold, release, and delete printer output from the output queue. Other actions on printer output, output queues, and writers are allowed as well and are documented in the iSeries Security Reference.
Spool control
Allows the user to perform all operations on printer output. The user must have *EXECUTE authority to the library the output queue is located in to perform any actions on the output queue.
Owner
This allows the user who owns the output queue to change or delete printer output.
Note: The default authority to the output queue is *USE public authority. Display Data authority is set to *NO (meaning not just anyone can view printer output). Authority to check is *OWNER (so that the output queue owner can manipulate the printer output). Operator Control is set to *YES (meaning a user with *JOBCTL can hold, release, and delete printer output).

For more information about authorities needed to work with output queues, see Appendix D in the Security Reference Manual.

Related concepts
Order of files
Spooled files
Related information
iSeries Security Reference