Controlling output devices

You can control an output device by using control characters in the second byte of the ZZ field of the message prefix (Z2).

Follow these rules:

  • SLU–1:

    The Z2 field, bit X'80', should be set if the segment contains structured field data.

    The Z2 field, bit X'40', should be set if the segment is the first segment of a new LPAGE series.

  • Switched devices:

    Exception: IBM® 3270

    You can use the Z2 field in the message format to request that the line be disconnected after the present message is sent. This field is ignored if the output is physically sent to a device without this capability. The disconnect request is indicated using X'80' as the Z2 field value, this request is recognized if present in any segment.

  • IBM 3270 printer (3270P device type):

    You can use the Z2 field, bit value X'80', to specify the presence of command code and WCC character in the data stream, which is to be used when MFS editing is bypassed.

  • Printer components:

    The program can embed, in the text portion of the message, carriage return characters or new line symbols. If the output is going to a local printer (SYSOUT), the first two characters of the message can be carrier control characters.