How the host print transform function works
The host print transform converts the print data stream just before it is sent from the IBM i platform. The spooled file contains the print data and not the converted ASCII data.
Note: The host print transform works with jobs that are sent directly
to the printer (SPOOL(*NO) on the printer file).
The following figure shows the data stream origination, flow, and
conversion for a spooled file when the host print transform is enabled.
The host print transform generates an ASCII printer
data stream for a number of IBM® and
non-IBM printers. To generate the different ASCII data streams, the
host print transform uses IBM i objects
that describe characteristics of a particular ASCII printer. Using
the SCS ASCII Transparency (ATRN) command, it passes the ASCII data
stream through the existing emulator. The existing emulator deletes
the ASCII Transparency commands and passes the ASCII data stream that
is generated by the host print transform to the personal printer. System
i Access, PC5250, and IBM Personal
Communications do not support partial ASCII transparency printing.
Note: The
emulator must support the SCS ASCII Transparency (ATRN) command to
use it with the host print transform. All the emulators described
in the Host print transform topic support the ATRN command.
To enable the host print transform, you work with the printer device description.