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Print Manager Spool
5.1.5 Input Filters
The input filter makes it possible for parameters such as the form name, user, etc. to be
transferred from other environments (e.g. UNIX or SAP).
The input filter (IPF.EXE) is included in PRISMAspool Interface Service. PRISMAspool
Spool Server starts the filter automatically when a received job. From the print file (e.g. the
header page), it retrieves the text that is to serve as parameters. It can also search for key
words, read at fixed positions or suppress a header page. This functionality is available for
ASCII, EBCDIC and formatted PCL print files
Detection of header pages will now be done during the transfer of the jobs from the standard
Windows Spool to PRISMAspool Spool. After PRISMAspool has tracked the parameters of
the header page, it will display correct information in the job ticket.
Ipf.exe can also be used in batch mode in order to test input filters independently before
using them in a PRISMAspool configuration. The tool is located in the PRISMAspool instal-
lation directory and has to be called as follows :
Ipf.exe -t <test file>
where <test file> is the input file to be tested; take care that the option -t is mandatory.
Functionality in detail:
After the job has been transferred completely, the Print Manager Interface Service checks
the job ticket and starts the input filter. The input filter reads the job file and looks for a
known identification string. Then it reads the parameters being configured for this string and
saves them in the job ticket. This procedure allows reading any parameters, for all files
where different identifiers can be detected.
The input filter contains a complete PCL parser and can therefore read preformatted PCL
files. Only printable data in the files are interpreted. EBCDIC files can also be read.
For more information refer to chapter 5.3.1, "Input Filter" .
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Managing Print Jobs
A29247-X30-X-9-70 US
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