Definitions Of Some Terms Often Used - Epson FX-80 Operation Manual

With the FX-80/FX-100, two standard operation modes are available. One is the
Text mode which prints corresponding characters in response to input of ASCII
codes and the other, the Bit Image mode which permits printing of pictures and
images in dot configurations. These two modes are not fully independent of each
other in that parameters set in the Text mode are also effective in the Bit Image.
The printer has been designed as a terminal unit capable of various software
controls. When control codes are transferred to the printer, respective functions
governed by these codes such as form feed, line feed, etc., are executed
immediately. In order to permit the printer to fully exhibit these functions, careful
reading and thorough understanding of the following control codes are recom-
mended.
3.1 Definitions of Some Terms Often Used
Before attempting to program, please read this section carefully as it contains
information essential to programming.
! .
(1) 2 (Binary), D (Decimal) and H (Hexadecimal)
( b (
)D and < >H respectively represent binary, decimal and hexadecimal
numbers.
The control codes are described in decimal notation; however, you have to be
familiar with binary notation to function the Bit image mode.
(2) ASCII code
Characters in computer systems are represented by groups of bits. The various
groups of bits that represent the set of characters that are the "alphabet" of any
given system are called a "coding system", or simply "code".
Codes for representing the information vary in relation to both the number of bits
used to define a single character in the assignment of bit patterns to each particular
character. .
In ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) the bit group
(OlO00001)z=(65)D=<41>H represents the character "A".
The sending and receiving equipment must be programmed to acknowledge the
code used in computer systems.
The printer has a 96 character set, control codes, and 9 International Character
sets. These characters are also available in the Alternate mode.
International characters are put in some addresses of the ASCII code table instead
of the standard characters.
Alphabets, numbers and special symbols are addressed from (32)D to (126)D and
from (160)D to (254)D' Same characters are put in two different addresses. If your
host computer can send 8-bit data to the printer, the selection of which one to use is
up to you.
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