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Personal Printer Data Stream

Personal Printer Data Stream (PPDS) is a family of page description languages used by IBM printers, including Proprinter, Quietwriter, Quickwriter, and LaserPrinter models. Introduced in 1981 with the IBM Graphics Printer 5152 and originally called IBM ASCII or Proprinter data stream, it was renamed PPDS in 1989 with the launch of the IBM LaserPrinter. PPDS features multiple upward-compatible function levels. While many modern laser and inkjet printers do not support PPDS, those using binary printer languages often employ the ESC syntax found in Printer Command Language versions 1 to 5 and the Epson ESC/P command set, ensuring broad compatibility across devices.

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PPDS levels

Level 1

Level 1 is the basic level of PPDS, providing the basic services needed by any printer. This level is represented by the 9- and 24-pin Proprinter family of printers. Within this level, the typical differences among the printers are as follows:

  • Font Selection: The basic set of 10, 17.1 and 12 CPI is supported
  • Raster Graphics: Top image resolution was up to 72x240

Level 2

Level 2 incorporates enhancements in the font selection, print quality selection and paper handling. This level is represented by the Quietwriter and Quickwriter family of products. The following commands enable you to use these enhancements:

  • Select Font Global: For selecting fonts with IBM font global identifiers
  • Select Code page: For selecting the code page or character set with the IBM code page identifier
  • Page Presentation Media: For feeding cut sheets and envelopes from one or more sources
  • Space Forward and Backward: For easier text justification

Level 3

Level 3 provides enhancements to the previous PPDS levels for page type printers, such as the IBM LaserPrinter 4019. The enhancements are:

  • Cursor positioning: For placing text and images at any position on the page
  • Save and Manage Macros: For working with form overlays and repetitive command sequences
  • Rule and Fill: For filling drawings with different patterns
  • Page orientation: For changing the page's orientation

Level 4

Level 4 adds new features of the IBM LaserPrinter 4029 to the previous PPDS levels. These features include compression, scalable fonts, and enhanced orientations.

  • Raster Image: For compression and decompression of data
  • Comprehensive Font Selection: For scalable fonts
  • Set Print Angle: For different angles

PPDS vs. PCL 1-5

Both languages define different printable areas for a given physical medium. PCL and PPDS use different characteristics or orders when searching for a substitute font. PCL uses ASCII-encoded numerical values as command parameters, while PPDS uses binary encoded parameters.

Modern printer support

Several modern Lexmark printers (for example, the Lexmark MS510/610 series, or the MFP MX511/611 series) support PPDS Level 4 in order to provide a high level of support for legacy applications which were written specifically for IBM 4019 and 4029 laser printers.