Output queues

Output queues are areas where printer output files (also called spooled files) wait to be processed and sent to the printer. Printer output is created either by the system or by the user using a print file.

A print file is similar to a template or a guideline where the default values for the attributes of printer output are set. It is the beginning of the printer output life cycle.

The print file contains the output queue (OUTQ) and print device (DEV) attributes, which dictate how the printer output is to be directed. The default settings are typically *JOB, meaning that the job attributes of the output queue and printer device determine how the printer output is directed. The job attributes of the output queue and printer device settings are based on information obtained when the job is created. This is based on information from the user profile the job is running under, the job description, the workstation device description, and the Printer device description (QPRTDEV) system value.

When the printer output is ready to be created, the system checks the print file and the job attributes (in this order) to see what output queue will process the printer output and which printer device the system will use. You can change the parameters of the output queue (OUTQ) and printer device (DEV) at the time the job is submitted or at job run-time to bypass extended processing. For example, the user can set the print file output queue to a specific queue and set the printer device to their specific printer in the print file at job initiation for the changes to take effect immediately. In doing this, the printer output does not need to go through the job attributes to find the output queue and printer device it will use. If a specified output queue cannot be found, the printer output will be directed to QGPL/QPRINT. For more information about how printer output is created, see Chapter 1 of the Printer Device Programming manual.

Printer output files are files that hold information waiting to be printed or processed. The printer output file holds important attributes that define the position of the printer output on the queue with relation to other printer output. The position is defined by the priority, status, and schedule attributes.

Output queue

An output queue is an object that contains a list of printer output files to be written to an output device. The output queue carries important attributes that determine the order in which printer output is processed and the authority needed to make changes to the printer output file.

Priority

Printer output that is waiting to process is moved to the output queue based on its priority (ranges from 1-9 where 1 is the highest priority).

Status

The current status of printer output. You can view this status from the General page of the Output properties window.

Schedule

The schedule attribute tells when the file should start physical printing of the output data.

Immediate

Print immediately, even if the printer output file is not closed.

File end (default)

Printing begins as soon as the printer output file is closed.

Job end

Printing begins when the job ends.

After the printer output file is ready to be printed, a writer job, a job that processes the printer output from the output queue to the printer device, takes data from the printer output file and sends it to the designated printer.

• 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.
• Order of files
  The Order of files on the queue (SEQ) attribute determines how the printer output will leave the output queue to be processed.
• Spooled files
  Spooling is a system function that saves data for later processing or printing. This data is stored in a spooled file. Spooled files work in a similar manner to tape files or other device files. Spooled files allow you to manage your data targeted for externally attached devices such as a printer.