NAME

printcap − printer capability data base

SYNTAX

/etc/printcap

DESCRIPTION

The printcap data base is a simplified version of the termcap() data base used to describe line printers.  The spooling system accesses the printcap file every time it is used, allowing dynamic addition and deletion of printers.  Each entry in the data base is used to describe one printer.  This data base may not be substituted for, as is possible for termcap, because it may allow accounting to be bypassed.

The default printer is normally lp, though the environment variable PRINTER may be used to override this.  Each spooling utility supports an option, −Pprinter, to allow explicit naming of a destination printer. 

CAPABILITIES

Refer to termcap for a description of the file layout. 

 NameTypeDefault Description
afstrNULLName of accounting file
brnumnoneIf lp is a tty, set the baud rate (ioctl call)
cfstrNULLCifplot data filter
dfstrNULLTex data filter (DVI format)
dnstr/usr/lib/lpdLine printer daemon filename
dunumDaemon user id
fcnum0If lp is a tty, clear octal flag values
(tty(4) "sg_flags")
ffstr“\f”string to send for a form feed
foboolfalsePrint a form feed when device is opened
fsnum0If lp is a tty, set octal flag values
(tty(4) "sg_flags")
gfstrNULLGraph data filter (plot (3X) format)
icboolfalseDriver supports (nonstandard) ioctl
to indent printout
ifstrNULLName of text filter which does accounting
lfstr“/dev/console”Error logging file name
lostr“lock”Name of lock file
lpstr“/dev/lp”Device name to open for output
mcnumMaximum number of copies allowed
mxnum1000Maximum file size (in BUFSIZ blocks),
zero = unlimited
ncboolfalseNo control characters allowed in output file
ndstrNULLNext directory for list of queues
(unimplemented)
nfstrNULLDitroff (device independent troff) data filter
ofstrNULLName of output filtering program
opstrObject port on LAT terminal server
osstrNULLService name supported on some terminal servers
plnum66Page length (in lines)
ppstrNULLPrint command filter replacement
pwnum132Page width (in characters)
pxnum0Page width in pixels
pynum0Page length in pixels
rfstrNULLFilter for printing Fortran style text files
rmstrNULLMachine name for remote printer
rpstr“lp”Remote printer name argument
rsboolfalseRestrict remote users to those
with local accounts
rwboolfalseOpen the printer device for reading and writing
sbboolfalseShort banner (one line only)
scboolfalseSuppress multiple copies
sdstr“/usr/spool/lpd”Spool directory
sfboolfalseSuppress form feeds
shboolfalseSuppress printing of burst page header
ststr“status”Status file name
tfstrNULLTroff data filter (cat phototypesetter)
trstrNULLTrailer string to print when queue empties
tsstrLAT terminal server node name
vfstrNULLRaster image filter
xcnum0If lp is a tty, clear local mode octal values
(tty(4) "Local mode")
xfstrNULLTransparent mode filter
xsnum0 If lp is a tty, set local mode octal values
(tty(4) "Local mode")

Error messages sent to the console have a carriage return and a line feed appended to them, rather than just a line feed. 

If the local line printer driver supports indentation, the daemon must understand how to invoke it. 

Printer filter entries can be either an executable program or a single line, which is interpreted by the shell. 

SEE ALSO

lpr(1), lprm(1), lpq(1), termcap(5), lpc(8), lpd(8), pac(8)
Guide to System Environment Setup

File Formats