Download Application interface specification for IBM 4610

Chapter 1. Overview
The enhancements to the operating system allow you to access the features of the
IBM 4610 printers for the following functions:
v Longer print lines (than current 4690 printers)
v Increased print speed
v One pass check reading/printing
v Post printing of receipts
The IBM 4610 printer family command set is based on the Epson printer command
set. Therefore, the operating system interface to these printers is not compatible
with previous terminal printers. In addition, user applications must use electronic
journaling because the IBM 4610 printers have no journal station.
Compatibility with applications written for the Model 3 and 4 Printers
Note: This section uses the BASIC language syntax to provide programming
information for the IBM 4610 printer family. You can use the C programming
language to perform the same operations. (See Chapter 5, “IBM 4610
Printers C Language API,” on page 41 for information on C language
syntax.)
Applications written for previous models of IBM POS printers (models 1, 2, 3, and
4) are not compatible with the IBM 4610 printer family. One major difference is the
lack of a dedicated journal station on the IBM 4610 printers. Applications using
these printers must use electronic journaling. Any attempt by the application to open
the SJ: station results in an error (see “OPEN statement” on page 21 and Table 1
on page 6).
Another difference between previous applications and applications written to support
the IBM 4610 printer family is the use of WRITE # statements for IBM 4610 printers
instead of WRITE FORM statements used for previous printers. The use of WRITE
# statements is to support the variable nature of the IBM 4610 commands and to
allow the application the flexibility to access the full IBM 4610 command set.
Restrictions
When using storage retention on a terminal running the operating system, the
terminal must be reloaded if a different IBM 4610 printer is attached. Reloading the
terminal is necessary due to the interaction between the application, driver, and
flash memory in the printer. Unpredictable results might occur if the terminal is not
reloaded.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 1999, 2008
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