The DATA command is used to set data mode (instead of the default line mode)
for a TRMDEF device. The TRMDEF can be a printer, terminal, or modem,
although DATA was specifically written to address a situation with HP
printers.
The principal reason you might want to use DATA is if you send graphics
commands to your printer. Often, the AMOS spooler gets in the way because
it operates in line mode. For example, if your print file contains graphics
commands that happen to include a character 9, AMOS sees this as a TAB and
tries to output 1-8 spaces instead. This gets in the way of graphics
printing, and is predominantly a problem on HP LaserJet printers.
If your system initialization file contains a command to set the printer
TRMDEF into data mode, as shown below, AMOS will no longer try to expand
TAB characters.
TRMDEF HP,AM355=10:19200,TELTYP,200,200,200
DATA HP
What about situations when you WANT tabs to expanded into spaces - such as
when you are printing out a program listing? On many printers - including
HP LaserJet printers - TABs are automatically handled by the printer, and
AMOS' tab expansion is not necessary. (The HP is smart enough to leave
character 9 alone when part of a graphics command, but to expand tabs to
the proper number of spaces when part of the document text).
DATA can be given more than one TRMDEF name:
DATA HP1,HP2,OKI
DATA was donated to AMUS by UltraSoft Corporation on June 25, 1990. It is
also distributed with some packages.
