Easycoder E4 Direct Protocol - Intermec EasyCoder E4 Installation And Operation Manual

Appendix 4
Programming
Introduction
Refer to the Intermec EasyCoder
E4 Direct Protocol, Program-
mer's Guide for more detailed
programming information.
56
As an alternative to the InterDriver or LabelShop, the EasyCoder E4
can be controlled directly from a host computer using the Intermec
EasyCoder E4 Direct Protocol programming language. It is an
easy-to-use printer protocol which is very similar with the Intermec
Fingerprint-based Direct Protocol used with for example EasyCoder
501/601 XP and EasyCoder F2/F4 printers, but since the EasyCoder
E4 has another type of electronics, there are some important
differences.
The Direct Protocol can be used to send instructions to the printer
in two ways:
• To create label formats consisting of fi elds with fi xed or variable
information. A format can then be selected and provided
with variable input from the host computer in the form of a
simple string of data.
• To send input data and formatting instructions as a continuous
string of data directly from the host computer.
The EasyCoder E4 is designed to operate with anything from an
unintelligent terminal to a mainframe computer system. The only
requirement is that the host computer needs to be able to transmit
characters in ASCII format. It is preferable to connect the printer
to the host via the serial RS-232 port, which will provide two-way
communication and enable printer errors to be returned.
• If the printer is to be controlled via the Windows HyperTerminal
or similar applications, connect via the serial RS-232 port. You can
type commands directly into HyperTerminal, or compose them
in a text editor like Notepad or Write and then paste them into the
HyperTerminal (see the Microsoft Windows User's Guide.) You
will receive error messages from the printer.
• If the printer is to be controlled via MS-DOS, connect via either
the serial RS-232 port or the parallel Centronics port. You can
use the DOS Edit program to compose the commands. To print,
use DOS Edit's File/Print command or use the DOS Copy or
Type commands (see the MS-DOS User's Guide.) You will not
receive error messages from the printer.
• If the printer is connected to a non-PC host computer, connect via
the serial RS 232 port. You can type commands directly into the
terminal or compose them in a text editor fi rst. You will receive
error messages from the printer.
Intermec EasyCoder E4 – Installation & Operation Ed. 2