Xerox 96MX - Manual (Page 37)

OVERVIEW
XEROX DOCUPRINT 96/DOCUPRINT 96MX LPS PDL REFERENCE 1-11
Input data types
The LPS can work effectively in many different environments, and it
has the capability to handle input from a wide variety of sources.
Whether you are using the LPS in an offline capacity, over an
Ethernet network, connected directly to a host computer, or remotely
over phone lines, input data for printing is sent to the printer in one of
two forms:
• Unformatted
•
Formatted.
Unformatted data
Unformatted data—that is, raw data from a computer file—is
selected, formatted, and combined with form data (boxes, lines,
headings, totals, and so forth) and graphics files to produce a printed
report.
• The raw data can be sent to the LPS offline from magnetic tape,
online from a channel-attached host, or through an Ethernet
network.
•
The forms definition commands used to select records and
format the printed output can be entered directly from the
keyboard display, or from a host- or PC-based forms definition
software package.
If you are using the LPS to create reports or other documents from
unformatted data, several elements are required to complete the job:
•
Variable data. Variable data is the part of the report that
changes from page to page. In the example of an inventory
report, the variable data would be the part numbers,
descriptions, prices, costs, and so forth.
The variable data can be input from the magnetic tape system
in the offline mode, from a host through a channel interface,
through an Ethernet network interface, or from a remote host
over phone lines.
• Form data. Form data can include headings, boxes, lines, and
graphic image files, such as signatures or logos. Form data is
entered in the form of compiled files, comprised of JDL and FDL
statements entered through the LPS editor in the offline mode,
or in the online mode through one of several host-resident
forms design packages.