Ubuntu Manpage: vtprintcap - database of terminal printer control codes

NAME

       vtprintcap - database of terminal printer control codes

SYNOPSIS

       /etc/vtprintcap

DESCRIPTION

vtprintcap is a simple flat file database containing a list of the names of various
terminals and the codes those terminals use to start and stop an attached printer (media
hard copy). This database is used by vtprint(1) and related programs.

Each entry is composed of three lines. The first line is a comma-delimited list of names
which may be used to reference this entry. The second line the sequence of characters
used by the terminal to turn on an attached hard copy device and redirect output to that
device. The third line contains the sequence of characters used to turn the device off
and restore normal output to the screen.

An entry must have all three lines to be considered valid. Currently no comment lines are
permitted to exist between these lines: such lines would be interpreted as the printer
control codes themselves!

The rules for selecting a terminal name are simple: you must follow the same rules as for
/etc/termcap(5) names. Terminal names should be entered in /etc/vtprintcap with exactly
the same names as are in /etc/termcap.

The control code strings in the second and third lines of an entry are governed as
follows: ANSI C style escapes for character constants (e.g. \n for newline) are permitted,
constant strings are permitted, and quotes may be used to as delimiters in the string.
(This is useful if you wish you use a digit immediately following a numeric escape. For
example, ESC-5 should be represented as \033"5" to avoid confusion in with \335. In
general, the rules outlined for ANSI constant escaping are enforced.

Additionally, /etc/vtprintcap may contain comment lines, which are indicated by placing a
hash mark (#) in the first column of the line. Remember however that entries must not be
broken up by comment lines!

EXAMPLE

       Here is a sample entry common to DEC vt100 and vt102 terminals:

              # Sample vtprintcap entry for vt100 & vt102 terminals
              vt100, vt102
              \033[5i
              \033[4i

       This entry would be used whenever the user's TERM environment variable was set to  "vt102"
       or  "vt100",  using  ESC [5i and ESC [4i as the printer control codes to turn a printer on
       and off, respectively.

DISTRIBUTION

       vtprintcap is part of the vtprint package, which can  be  obtained  by  anonymous  ftp  at
       ftp.sdsu.edu in the /pub/vtprint directory.  Please read the INDEX and README files before
       downloading.

       If you do not have ftp availability, then you can request a uuencoded copy of  vtprint  be
       sent  to  you  via  e-mail  from  the  author.   The  author is also willing to make other
       arrangements as needed, within certain limitations.

FILES

       /etc/termcap
       /etc/vtprintcap

BUGS

       vtprintcap handling code currently could get confused if a printer control code is exactly
       the  same  as  the  name  of  a terminal, or contained the name of a terminal delimited by
       commas.  As this is very unlikely to every occur, it shouldn't be a problem.