Spooler Utilities Reference Manual

Introduction to the Spooler Subsystem
Spooler Utilities Reference Manual—522295-003
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Device State
Device State
The device state describes the status of the device. There are six possible device
states:
Selection Algorithm
The spooler maintains a queue for each device (that is, a list of the jobs to be printed
on that device.) The job at the head of the queue is the next job to be printed.
As a rule, higher-priority jobs print sooner than lower-priority jobs. However, the
selection algorithm affects the order in which jobs print within the same priority level. If
the selection algorithm is FIFO (first in, first out) ON, jobs are placed at the end of the
queue and are printed in order. If the selection algorithm is FIFO OFF, the spooler
allows short jobs to print before longer jobs of the same priority.
PRINTING The device is currently printing a job.
WAITING The device is idle and is waiting for a job to print.
OFFLINE The device is not available for printing.
SUSPENDED The device is in the process of printing a job but has been
suspended by the operator (to change ribbons, for
example).
DEVERROR The device has produced a file-system error while printing.
Operator intervention is required.
PROCERROR The supervisor process has determined that the print
process for the device is not working correctly. Operator
intervention is required.