Printronix ThermaLine Series - Manual (Page 62)

Commands 4–18
Alphanumerics, Incremental Fields
Purpose The incremental fields feature updates alphanumeric (and bar code) data
fields in a numeric or alphabetical manner automatically using just one set
of data sent from the host computer. Incremental alphanumeric data fields
can be applied to fixed (static) data (page 4–22), or dynamic data (page
4–25).
Mode CREATE (for fixed data) or EXECUTE (for dynamic data)
NOTE: Throughout the discussion of incremental fields, the term “increment” or
“incremental” means the field is automatically updated by a specified
amount (or increment). The field can actually be increased/decreased in
specified increments/decrements within the command.
Comments Incremental fields can increase or decrease, repeat at specified intervals
before updating, and reset to the starting value after a specified number of
increments. A maximum of 65,535 fields can print.
Using Incremental Alphanumeric Data
The IGP/PGL internally counts incremental static (fixed) alphanumeric
fields. A maximum of 255 incremental fixed alphanumeric fields are allowed
per form.
Incrementing is controlled with the STEPMASK and STARTDATA
command parameters as described in Table 4–1. The parameters are part of
the Incremental Alphanumeric Fixed Data command or part of the Execute
command when using incremental alphanumeric dynamic data.
The STEPMASK parameter performs the following three functions:
1. It defines the increment amount (step);
2. It defines the number of characters allowed in the data field
(STARTDATA); and
3. It provides a “mask” to link or unlink subfields of the data to be
incremented independently. The data provided in the STEPMASK field
combined with the data in the STARTDATA field determine the result of
these functions.