Editing Printer driver (section)

=== DOS === <!-- Courtesy note per [[WP:RSECT]]: [[Epson emulation]] redirects here. -->
[[DOS]] supports predefined character devices <code>[[PRN:]]</code>, <code>[[LPT1:]]</code>, <code>[[LPT2:]]</code> and <code>[[LPT3:]]</code> associated with parallel printers supported in the system. Similarly, serial printers can be used with <code>[[AUX:]]</code>, <code>[[COM1:]]</code>, <code>[[COM2:]]</code>, <code>[[COM3:]]</code> and <code>[[COM4:]]</code>.

Users can use commands like, for example, "<code>COPY ''file1'' LPT1:</code>" to print the content of a file to a printer. The contents is transferred to the printer without any interpretation. Therefore, this method of printing is either for files already stored in the corresponding printer's language or for generic [[text file]]s without more than simple line-oriented formatting.

DOS also provides a dynamically loadable print spooler named [[PRINT (command)|PRINT]] as well as optional support to support screen captures also in graphics mode through [[GRAPHICS]]. If the optional character device driver [[PRINTER.SYS]] is loaded, DOS provides its [[code page]] switching support also for the associated printers&mdash;different types of [[dot matrix printer|dot matrix]] and [[ink jet printer]]s are supported by default.

Beyond this, there are no system-wide printer-specific drivers for use at application level under MS-DOS/PC&nbsp;DOS. Under [[DR-DOS]], however, the SCRIPT command can be loaded to run in the background in order to intercept and convert printer output from applications into [[PostScript]] to support PS-capable printers also by applications not supporting them directly.

In order to support more complex printing for different models of printers, each application (e.g. a [[word processor]]) may be shipped with its own printer drivers, which were essentially descriptions of printer [[escape sequence]]s. Printers, too, have been supplied with drivers for the most popular applications. In addition, it's possible for applications to include tools for editing printer description, in case there was no ready driver. In the days when DOS was widely used, many printers had emulation modes for [[Epson]] FX-80<ref>[http://lprng.sourceforge.net/DISTRIB/RESOURCES/PPD/epson.htm list of Epson FX printer codes]</ref> and [[IBM]] [[List of IBM products|Proprinter]] commands. Many more recent [[laser printer]]s also have emulation modes for [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] [[Printer Command Language|PCL]] (HP LaserJet) or [[PostScript]] printers which will work in DOS. It appears that these are also compatible with Windows 3.x.<ref>[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/69251 Citizen Printer Emulation Modes for Microsoft Windows 3.0]</ref>