Glossary

Note that these definitions apply specifically to printers. If a word is italicized, see that topic for more information.

application program

A program that helps you carry out a particular task, such as word processing or financial planning.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized coding system for assigning numerical codes to letters and symbols.

automatic line feed

When this feature is turned on using SelecType, each carriage return code (CR) is automatically accompanied by a line feed (LF) code.

baud rate

A measure of the speed of data transmission. Usually equivalent to bits per second.

bidirectional printing

Printing in which the print head moves in alternate directions on every other line. This increases the speed of printing because the head prints in both directions.

binary

See number systems.

bit

A binary digit (0 or l), which is the smallest unit of information used by a printer or computer. See also number systems, buffer

See memory.

byte

A unit of information consisting of eight bits.

Glossary GL-1

carriage return

The control code that returns the print position to the left margin. When issued together with a line feed, the print position moves to the left margin of the next line. In bidirectional printing, the print head may not actually move to the left margin.

characters per inch (cpi)

A measure of the size of text characters, often referred to as pitch. 10 cpi

(also called pica) is often the standard or default setting.

condensed

Printing in which each character is approximately 60% of the width of standard characters. Useful for fitting wide tables or spreadsheets onto the paper.

continuous paper

Paper that has sprocket-feed holes on each side, is perforated between pages, and comes in a folded stack. Also called fanfold paper.

control code

Besides the codes for printable characters, the ASCII standard also includes 33 other codes called control codes. These control codes perform such functions as sounding the beeper and performing a carriage return or line feed.

cut sheet feeder (CSF)

An optional, detachable device that automatically feeds single sheets of paper into the printer.

data dump

A troubleshooting feature.

When the printer is in data dump mode, each code that it receives is printed in hexadecimal notation as well as the

ASCII codes that stand for the characters. Sometimes called hex dump.

decimal

See number systems.

default

A value or setting that takes effect when the equipment is turned on, reset, or initialized.

GL-2 Glossary

dot graphics

A graphic design formed by patterns of dots.

dot matrix

A method of printing in which each letter or symbol is formed by a pattern (matrix) of individual dots.

double-high printing

Printing in which each character is twice as high as normal.

double-strike printing

A way of producing bolder characters. Each character is printed twice; the second time, the dots are printed slightly below the original dots.

double-wide printing

A print width in which each character is twice as wide as normal characters.

draft

One of two print qualities available on your printer. Draft uses a minimum number of dots per character for high-speed printing. See also

Letter Quality.

emphasized printing

A way of producing darker characters. Each character is printed twice, with the second slightly to the right of the first.

Epson Extended Graphics

The Epson Extended Graphics character table contains international accented characters, Greek characters, and character graphics for printing lines, comers, and shaded areas.

ESC (escape)

A special control code used to begin most printer commands.

ESC/P

Abbreviation for Epson Standard Code for Printers. The system of commands lets you control your printer using your computer’s software.

It is standard for all Epson printers and supported by most applications software for personal computers.

font

A style of type designated by a family name.

Glossary GL-3

form

In printer terminology, a form is normally the equivalent of a page.

form feed

A control code and a control panel button that advances the paper to the top of the next form.

hexadecimal (hex)

See number systems.

initialize

To establish the initial default status of the printer by turning the printer on, sending ESC @, or sending an INIT signal.

interface

The connection between the computer and the printer. A parallel interface transmits data one character or code at a time, and a serial interface transmits data one bit at a time.

italic

A typestyle in which the characters slant. This sentence is italicized.

Letter Quality (LQ)

One of two print qualities available on your printer. Letter Quality reduces the print speed and increases the number of dots per character to increase the print quality. See also draft.

line feed

A control code and a control panel button that advances the paper one line space.

memory

The printer, like a computer, has a memory. When you print a file from a computer, the contents of the file are transferred quickly from the computer’s memory to the printer’s memory The printer then prints information from its own memory at a much slower rate. This way of printing frees the computer to do other work while the printer is still working. The printer memory is sometimes called the buffer.

micro-adjustment

A feature that adjusts the paper loading and tear-off positions.

GL-4 Glossary

number systems

Three number systems are commonly used with printers: decimal is base 10 and uses the digits

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

(This is the most familiar system.)

8, and 9.

hexadecimal (hex) is base

16 and uses the digits 0,

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

9, A, B, C, D, E, and F. This is frequently used by programmers. Any decimal number between 0 and 255 can be expressed by a two-digit hex number.

binary is base 2 and uses only the digits 0 and

1.

All information in computer systems is handled in binary form to represent electrical signals that are on or off. A binary digit is often called a bit; any decimal number between 0 and 255 can be expressed by an eight-bit binary number.

on line

When the printer is on line, it can communicate with the computer connected to it.

parallel interface

See inferface.

parity

Parity is a method for a computer and printer to check the reliability of data transmission.

platen

The black roller that provides a backing for the printing.

print quality

Your printer has two types of print quality: draft and Letter Quality

(LQ). Draft is for high-speed, draft-quality jobs; LQ is for final, polished documents.

proportional printing

Printing in which the width of the character varies from character to character. For example, an uppercase W receives much more space than a lowercase i. The result looks more like a typeset book than a typewritten draft.

Glossary

GL-5

push tractor

The built-in device that feeds continuous paper through the printer.

Random Access Memory. The portion of the printer’s memory used as a buffer and for storing user-defined characters. All data stored in RAM is lost when the printer is turned off.

reset

To return a printer to its defaults, by either a command, an INIT signal, or by turning the printer off and on.

self test

A method of checking the operation of the printer. When the self test is run, the printer prints out its current SelecType settings and the characters that are stored in its ROM.

serial interface

See interface.

short tear-off

A feature that automatically feeds the perforation of continuous paper to the tear-off position and then feeds the paper back to the loading position. This position can be adjusted by using the micro-adjustment feature.

top of form position

The position on the paper that the printer recognizes as the first printable line.

userdefined characters

Characters that are defined and stored in the printer by the user. Also known as download characters.

GL-6 Glossary