HP PCL/PJL reference - Printer Job Language Technical Reference Manual
EN Environment Commands 6-7
Factory Default 
Environment
Stored permanently in printer memory—settings cannot be modified.
Factory default settings cannot be read programmatically, but they are listed in the 
PCL 5 Comparison Guide.
User Default 
Environment
The User Default Environment is set to the factory default values when the printer 
initially is powered on—before printer commands are sent from an application or any 
control panel settings are changed.
Stored in non-volatile RAM in printers that have it—can be changed using the 
DEFAULT command or control panel keys.
The INITIALIZE command loads the Factory Default settings into the User Default 
Environment.
User default settings can be read using the DINQUIRE command. 
PJL Current 
Environment
Any PJL reset condition loads the User Default Environment feature settings into the 
PJL Current Environment.
Always reflects the PJL-level settings currently in use.
Stored in RAM—can be changed using SET command. These values override 
feature settings until the next PJL reset condition.
The INITIALIZE command loads the Factory Default settings into the PJL Current 
Environment.
PJL Current Environment settings can be read using the INQUIRE command.
Modified Print 
Environment 
(Printer-
Language 
Specific)
Active as soon as printer receives any printer language commands (such as PCL or 
PostScript commands). This environment contains all of the feature settings 
currently in effect at any point after a printer language is entered.
Printer language resets (such as the <ESC>E command in PCL), any printer 
language switch, or the ENTER command load the PJL Current Environment into 
the Modified Print Environment.
Stored in RAM—can be changed using printer language commands (PCL, 
PostScript, and others). The printer language values override any PJL Current 
Environment feature for the duration of the printer language job (until the printer 
language is changed or a printer language-specific reset is executed).
The Modified Print Environment settings can be read if the active printer language 
supports this capability.










