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• Entering the code directly from the keyboard by pressing special
combinations of keys. It is normally possible to use a special key
called the control key which is marked CONTROL, in conjunc-
tion with the remaining keys.
Software command codes
A program that uses software command codes has its own set of
codes that you type into the document or file. When the program
receives one of these codes, it sends the proper code to the GX-80.
The program finds the codes from a table which either the manufac-
turer of the software provides or you can make yourself. Please note
that these codes are part of the word processor program and do not
have the same function as the control key codes mentioned above
which are the ones the printer itself understands.
In order for the table of codes to be correct for your particular
printer, you have to run a setup or install program when you first use
the package. Often the program simply asks you the type of printer
you have. Once you tell such a program that you are using an Epson
printer, it will know which codes to send. (Often you do not need to
specify which Epson printer you are using.) In some cases the table
is built up as answers to a series of questions. The answers to the
sequences are given in Appendix C. The instructions should be in
the software manual. In addition, your software or computer dealer
may be able to help you.
Inserting codes directly into the text
Some software packages are more versatile in that they allow you to
enter any set of codes you like, embedding them between a pair of
markers so that the program knows that they are special and not text
or data. This is slightly more difficult since you have to use Appen-
dix C regularly to decide which codes you need.
If the word processing program allows you to insert the actual codes
required, you can use SelecType to set the print mode for the whole
document. It is only, for special features that you will need to use
embedded codes. For example, if you want to have headings in wide
bold printing ( called enlarged emphasized), you would probably
have to use embedded codes. Further information on the codes is
given in Appendices A, B and C.
Again, if this sounds too complicated, don't worry. Use the GX-80.
with the standard features of the word processing program until you
become more familiar with both of them. Then you can decide
whether or not you need or want to learn to use embedded codes.
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Programming Languages
If neither of the methods described above seems appropriate for
your application, you can write a program in BASIC or any other
programming language to send control codes to the printer before
you run your applications program. In the chapter on page format-
ting you will find examples of such programs. Just remember that
with this method the printer control code stays in effect for the
whole document you print. This method works for a wide range of
commands and is good for setting margins, for example, but does
not work for italicizing a word. It has the same drawback as Selec-
Type in this context and is only of use for whole documents.
Now you have some background on how printers work and how
software can communicate with them. Turn to the next chapters to
learn about the specific features of the GX-80 printer.
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