Special printer file considerations for AFP data stream

If the device type (DEVTYPE) parameter for the printer file is *AFPDS, certain considerations apply to some printer file parameters and to the sending of spooled files to other systems.

Considerations for printer file parameters

• Overflow (OVRFLW) parameter

  Overflow is not signalled for externally described printer files (DDS) for record formats that use absolute positioning. In addition, overflow is determined by using the margin offset down value. For example, if the margin offset down value is .5 inches, the overflow line is line 60, and the lines per inch value is 6, overflow is signalled when line 60 is printed on the page. This is 10.5 inches down the page.

• Character Identifier (CHRID) parameter

  The CHRID parameter of the printer file is ignored if a font character set (FNTCHRSET) or coded font (CDEFNT) parameter is specified. One exception to this is if a file contains UCS-2 data that will be converted to EBCDIC data. In this case, the CHRID parameter determines the target conversion CCSID.

• Page Rotation (PAGRTT) parameter

  Overlays, page segments, and resources stored in the integrated file system are not automatically rotated based on the PAGRTT parameter of the printer file.

• Page Size (PAGESIZE) parameter

  If the unit of measure is *ROWCOL, and either a coded font or font character set is specified on the printer file, the page width is calculated using 10 characters-per-inch.

Considerations for sending an AFP data stream spooled file to another system

Because the actual printer device is not known when a spooled file is created, some parameters specified on the printer file cause a default setting to be used in the created spooled file. This is done to provide values in the data stream of the spooled file in the event it is sent to another system.

On the system the spooled file was created on, the correct values (as determined for the printer you want the spooled file printed on) are substituted before the spooled file is printed.

The following parameters cause a default setting to be used:

• If CHRID(*DEVD) or an externally described printer file is used, the Graphic character set/Code page (QCHRID) system value is substituted.
• If FONT(*DEVD) is used, font 11 is substituted.
• If FORMFEED(*DEVD) is used, drawer 1 is substituted.
• If PAGRTT(*DEVD), PAGRTT(*AUTO), or PAGRTT(*COR) is used, page rotation of 0 is substituted.

1. On iSeries™ servers, offset stacking of printed output is used. As the job finishes, the paper tray moves, offsetting the stack of paper to make it easier to distinguish between finished jobs. Because of this, the data stream that is created on the iSeries server contains the control to indicate that offset stacking should be used. If the spooled file is sent to a system that does not support offset stacking, an error message might be issued.
2. Use of the DDS DRAWER and PAGRTT keywords cause the i5/OS to generate an AFP data stream that is not completely supported by the AFP™ viewer and some of the PSF products available on other IBM® platforms. If the spooled file needs to be viewed by the AFP viewer or printed on other IBM platforms, do not use the DRAWER and PAGRTT keywords in DDS. Use the INVMMAP keyword instead to change the drawer or page rotation within the spooled file.