Formatting and printing data

Every data set that is printed on a page printer requires one or more copy groups. A copy group (also called a medium map) controls the printing of a form (a physical sheet of paper). If you are printing on both sides of a sheet, a copy group controls the printing of both sides. If you change copy groups, PSF automatically ejects to a new sheet before using the controls in the next copy group.⁸

Copy groups are contained in a form definition or one or more internal copy groups. PSF uses a form definition or an internal copy group to control the modifying and printing of forms. PSF uses a page definition to compose pages from line data.

This topic describes internal copy groups, form definitions, and page definitions. You can create form definitions and page definitions by using the IBM® Page Printer Formatting Aid (PPFA) licensed program or by using some other products, which might differ from the products described in this topic.