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Escape sequences
Although there are more than 30 control codes available to control
the operation of your printer, many more codes are required to
run today’s sophisticated printers. Therefore, ASCII codes are
grouped in sequences that represent certain functions. These code
sequences make use of the ASCII codes with decimal values of 32
through 255, normally reserved for characters and punctuation, to
control printer functions. This is done by first sending a standard
code to tell the printer that the codes that follow are to be used as
control codes, not as characters or punctuation.
The standard code that is sent at the beginning of these code
sequences is the Escape code, decimal value 27. Any sequence of
codes starting with the Escape code is called an Escape sequence.
You will probably see Escape written in different ways-such as
ESC, Esc, and ESCape-in various manuals. In this manual it is in
the form of ESC when used within a command.
Printer commands
In order for the printer to recognize the instructions it receives,
ASCII codes must be sent to the printer within a specific format,
called a command. An Escape sequence is a command, as is any
ASCII code or sequence of codes that instructs the printer to carry
out a particular function. Your software continually sends
commands to your printer and your computer screen. These
commands instruct your printer to perform such functions as
print in a particular typeface, feed the paper a certain amount
after printing each line, and start printing on a particular spot on
the page.
Some software programs let you send these commands yourself.
The commands that your printer recognizes are listed in the
Command Summary, Chapter 8, and on the Quick Reference card
in the back of this manual.
Getting the Most from Your Printer
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