1. The AS/400 and the printing process
Chapter 5
The AS/400 and the printing process

2. 4 Types of Files *file
Each of these is an object with a TYPE of *FILE but is further described with an attribute. The attribute helps define how the object can be used.
Physical Files (PF)
Logical Files (LF)
Printer Files (PRTF)
Display Files (DSPF)
W7L1ops400.ppt

3. 4 Types of Files *file Opt Object Type Attribute Text
CRTFILE *PGM CLP SAMPLE COMMAND CREATION
TESTMENU *MSGF
EVFEVENT *FILE PF-DTA
MENUSRC *FILE PF-SRC menu designs
QCMDSRC *FILE PF-SRC
TESTDATA *FILE PF-DTA CREATING COMMAND
TESTMENU *FILE DSPF
SUM *CMD SUMMER 2005
TESTPRT *FILE PRTF
W7L1ops400.ppt

4. GENERATING HARD COPY DATA Printer file The program User 2 User 1
The output queue
/ spool files
PRT01
User 2
User 1
User 3
PRINTER WRITERS
LASER1
PRT01
LPRT1

5. Requirements DATA a PROGRAM APPLICATION OR SYSTEM
a PRINTER FILE ATTRIBUTES / TEMPLATE
an OUTPUT QUEUE HOLDING BIN
a PRINTER WRITER physical device assignment
a PRINTER Laser, character, line, page
PAPER e.g. standard 8-1/2 x 11, 11x15, custom forms

6. DATA
Can come from anywhere disk, tape, screen, communications, internet, e-biz
Is managed / created / manipulated by a program

7. the program Receives data by way of input Processes the data
Generates output one form of which is reports
merges the data with the print file and directs it to a output queue e.g QPRINT

8. the printer file
Holds the report attributes / properties (can be looked on as a template)
Lines per inch
characters per inch
Font
form length in lines
overflow line number
Printer device type

9. The output queue Temporary storage
Receives and directs the printer output to a printer writer or holds it until a printer writer is activated (varied on)
Can retain the documents and be redirected to another output queue
Is connected / associated with a printer writer.

10. The printer writer Is a device file *DEVD
Contains all the attributes associated with the physical device
connection
port no, controller, address
device type
type and model number
features (AFP capable)
to be powered up at IPL (boot up)
font used
paper source (if applicable)
The message queue used to communicate with the system
etc. etc.

11. The printer Receives the DATA
Has paper mounted or stored in the trays.
Has inked ribbons / a full toner cartridge / ink cartridge
Merges the INK, DATA and Paper and produces the “HARDCOPY” document

12. Application/System utility/Command
data
Application/System utility/Command
Formatted
report
Printer File
eg. QSYSPRINT, QPRINT
Output Queue
Printer Writer
Physical printer
Paper Report

13. OUTPUT QUEUES and SPOOL FILES
PRINT FUNCTIONS
OUTPUT QUEUES
and
SPOOL FILES

14. output queues v.s. spool files
Output queues contain the printer output of ANY user directed to it and are directly associated (soft) with a printer device. (MANY user’s to ONE queue)
Spool files contain the printer output from one specific user regardless of the queue it is directed to.
(ONE user to MANY queues)

15. wrkoutq command Work with Output Queue
Queue: PRT Library: QGPL Status: RLS/WTR
Type options, press Enter.
1=Send 2=Change 3=Hold 4=Delete 5=Display 6=Release 7=Messages
8=Attributes =Work with printing status
Opt File User User Data Sts Pages Copies Form Type Pty
QPSUPRTF DA540A SAV *STD
QPRINT SIMONLI PROG041B SAV *STD
QSYSPRT CE500A test SAV *STD
QPRINT DA344I AR100C HLD *STD
QPUSRPRF DA400C SAV *STD

16. Wrksplf USER(username) command
Work with All Spooled Files
Type options, press Enter.
1=Send 2=Change 3=Hold 4=Delete 5=Display 6=Release 7=Messages
8=Attributes =Work with printing status
Device or Total Cur
Opt File User Queue User Data Sts Pages Page ...
-- QPEZBACK QSYSOPR QPRINT DSPBCKSTS RDY

17. Components of Printer Spooling
Output queues Spooled Files
Printer files
Printer Writers
System spooler
part of OS/400 that controls and manages printed output
runs in subsystem QSPL
W7L1ops400.ppt

18. Printer Files Objects on the AS/400 Object Type is *FILE
Sub-Type (attribute) is PRTF
Holds the Report Layout and print characteristics
Commands: CRTPRTF, CHGPRTF
W7L1ops400.ppt

19. Printer Files cont’d Defaults are QSYSPRT, QPRINT …
CHGPRTF changes the attributes of a Printer Device File
Some attributes you can change are:
Page size:
Length--lines per page .
Width--positions per line
Measurement method . . .
Lines per inch
Characters per inch
Overflow line number . . .
Be careful when changing printer files as the change effects all programs that use the printer file. For example, there might be hundreds of programs using QPRINT. Also not all printers support all attributes I.e. If you make cpi to high, some older printers can not handle very small characters.
W7L1ops400.ppt

20. Spooled Files They are -
- AS/400 objects that contain data for printing
- Stored in Output Queues
And
- To print a Spooled File, the file must be moved to an Output Queue attached to a printer.
Spooled files can be reports or print screens. Most commands have the option of outputting to screen which is the default or outputting to printer which is *print on output parameter.

21. How Do Spooled Files get Created?
JOB
QINTER/QBATCH
Output Queue
Program/
Command
Spooled File
Data
Report
Layout
*FILE PF
*FILE
PRTF
W7L1ops400.ppt

22. What Components do you Need …to Print?
Output Queue Spooled File
Printer Device Description
(Printer Writer) *DEVD
Printer
Paper
W7L1ops400.ppt

23. Spoolfile DA999X99 OUTPUT QUEUE PRT01 SPLF#1 SPLF#3 SPLF#2 SPLF#4
Change / Move
the
Spooled File
to OutQ
PRT01
SPLF#3
SPLF#2
SPLF#4

24. Spool Files Commands
Change Spooled File Attributes (outq,copies,save) (2) CHGSPLFA
Copy Spooled File to physical file (3) CPYSPLF
Delete Spooled File from outq (4) DLTSPLF
Display contends of Spooled File (5) DSPSPLF
Hold Spooled File that is ready to print (6) HLDSPLF
Release Spooled File that is held (7) RLSSPLF
Send Network Spooled File to another AS/400 (1) SNDNETSPLF
These commands require the parameters:
Spooled file
Job name
User
Number
Spooled file number
W7L1ops400.ppt

25. Changing Spool Files Use WRKOUTQ or WRKSPLF to display spool files
To change a spool file put option 2 next to spool file entry on LIST or CHGSPLFA
The following are some spool file attributes that can be changed:
PRINTER
Form type
Copies
Restart printing page
Output Queue
Start/End page to print
W7L1ops400.ppt

26. Output
Queue
PRT01
Spooled
Files
Printer
Writer
PRT01
Paper
Report
Printed
Characters

27. Printer Writer It is How the AS/400 sees a Printer It is an Object
It has an Object Type of *DEVD
The AS/400 creates an output queue with the same name as the printer when the Printer Device is created.
For example printer PRT01 is a object with object type *DEVD

28. Printer Writer CONT’D 1
A utility used to move spooled files from the outq to the physical printer.
When the Printer Device is created (CRTDEVPRT) the AS/400 creates a writer and an output queue with the same name as the printer.
A writer is always associated with the printer it was created for
W7L1ops400.ppt

29. Printer Writers cont’d
Usually the Printer Writer is attached to the output queue with the same name. Command: CHGWTR
To display the status of a printer, use the Work with Writer command, (WRKWTR)
STRPRTWTR Use this command to start a printer and / or assign it to a
different printer
different output queue
different message queue

30. Working with Printers STRPRTWTR - start a printer
ENDWTR - end a printer
CHGWTR - change writer ( such as outq)
HLDWTR - put printer on hold (pause)
RLSWTR - release printer that is on hold (can release at specified page)
WRKCFGSTS - work configuration status to VARYON or VARYOFF
most printer problems are either paper jam or no ink
use WRKWTR then option 7 to display message if you suspect a printer problem

31. Work with All Writers Type options, press Enter
Work with All Writers Type options, press Enter =Change 3=Hold 4=End 5=Work with 6=Release 7=Display messages =Work with output queue Opt Writer Type Device Queue Library Status Form Type ODINQ RMT ODINQ QGPL STR *ALL PRTORIGIN RMT PRTORIGIN QGPL STR *ALL PRTTEST RMT PRTTEST QGPL STR *ALL PRT RMT PRT QGPL STR *ALL PRT RMT PRT QGPL STR *ALL PRT RMT PRT ADMIN STR *ALL RMTOUTQ RMT RMTOUTQ LYDIA_LI STR *ALL RMTW RMT PRT QGPL STR *ALL WIN RMT WIN QGPL STR *ALL Bottom Parameters for options 2, 3, 4, 6 or command ===> F3=Exit F4=Prompt F12=Cancel F22=Start printer writer F24=More keys
W7L1ops400.ppt

32. Trouble Shooting Printer Problems
When there is a problem with printing, you need to check 2 things:
the hardware: is it turned on, is the paper loaded, is there a jam, etc
the software: is the writer started, is there a message waiting, is the outq held, if it is a remote printer are the communications ok?
Commands:
WRKWTR
STRPRTWTR
ENDWTR
RLSOUTQ
W7L1ops400.ppt

33. If ALL else fails You can always use GO ASSIST or GO SYSTEM to navigate your way to the output queue / spool files / devices work with printer output

34. The END
GOOD LUCK WITH THE TEST AND IN THE REMAINDER
OF THE SEMESTER