Compuprint 6314 CDL - Manual (Page 4)

CDL – Programmer Manual
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2. T
HE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
In order to work, thermal printers require some commands that use a specific syntax.
The CDL language comprises a series of commands formed by printable characters (with the
exception of SOH and STX): this means that they can be used with any kind of computer.
The print file to be sent to the printer may be a text file (written using any editor); alternatively the
instructions may be sent by programming language (e.g. Basic) or the label may be prepared on
screen using WYSIWIG
1
software or a word processor that, using a driver, converts the label into
instructions that can be understood by the printer. In the latter case, the user does not need to know
the programming language and can ignore sections 2.1 (page 4) and 2.3 (page 36) which serve only
to fully explain the functions and potentials of the machine.
This kind of software
2
is very powerful and permits even users who are not very expert to create
labels using only a mouse and a keyboard. On the other hand, if you wish to optimise machine
performance, it may be more efficient to program the printer using the CDL language described
below.
2.1 The commands
In particular, the software commands can be classed as follows (see fig. 1).
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What You See Is What You Get.
2 See the respective installation and operating manuals.