Page Description Language PDL
A Page Description Language (PDL) is a type of code that describes the appearance of a document in a language that a printer can understand. The PDL for a page includes the text, graphics, and formatting information. Software applications use PDLs to send What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) images to the printer. The printer translates the PDL file so that whatever is on the computer screen is what is printed. PDLs speed the printing process by sending large amounts of data at one time. PDLs also manage the computer fonts.
There are three common PDLs:
■ Printer Command Language (PCL): Hewlett-Packard developed PCL for communication with early inkjet printers. PCL is now an industry standard for nearly all printer types.
■ PostScript (PS): Adobe Systems developed PS to allow fonts or text types to share the same characteristics on the screen as on paper.
■ Graphics Device Interface (GDI): GDI is a Windows component that manages how graphical images are transmitted to output devices. GDI works by converting images to a bitmap that uses the computer instead of the printer to transfer the images.
Table 14-1 compares PostScript to PCL.
|
PostScript |
PCL |
|
Page is rendered by the printer. |
Page is rendered on the local workstation. |
|
Better quality output. |
Faster print jobs. |
|
Handles more complex print jobs. |
Requires less printer memory. |
|
Used on Mac OS. |
Not supported by Mac OS. |
|
Output is identical on different printers. |
Output varies slightly on different printers. |
Continue reading here: Describe How to Install Network Printer Software and Drivers on a Computer
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