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OSXFAQ Mac OS X Tip-of-the-Day 
What is CUPS and how does it work ??
By Scott Sheppard - Editor-in-Chief - OSXFAQ
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What is CUPS and how does it work ??
CUPS provides a portable printing layer for UNIX-based operating systems
(Mac OS X). It has been developed by Easy Software Products to promote a
standard printing solution for all UNIX systems.
CUPS uses the Internet Printing Protocol ("IPP") as the basis for
managing print jobs and queues. The Line Printer Daemon ("LPD") Server
Message Block ("SMB"), and AppSocket (a.k.a. JetDirect) protocols are
also supported with reduced functionality. CUPS adds the network printer
browsing and PostScript Printer Description ("PPD") based printing
options to support real-world printing under UNIX.
CUPS includes an image file RIP that supports printing of image files to
non-PostScript printers. A customized version of GNU Ghostscript 7.05
for CUPS called ESP Ghostscript is available separately to support
printing of PostScript files within the CUPS driver framework. Sample
drivers for Dymo, EPSON, HP, and OKIDATA printers are included that use
these filters.
Each file or set of files that is submitted for printing is called a
job. Jobs are identified by a unique number starting at 1 and are
assigned to a particular destination, usually a printer. Jobs can also
have options associated with them such as media size, number of copies,
and priority.
CUPS supports collections of printers known as classes. Jobs sent to a
class are forwarded to the first available printer in the class.
Filters allow a user or application to print many types of files without
extra effort. Print jobs sent to a CUPS server (Built in Mac OS X) are
filtered before sending them to a printer. Some filters convert job
files to different formats that the printer can understand. Others
perform page selection and ordering tasks.
CUPS provides filters for printing many types of image files, HP-GL/2
files, PDF files, and text files. CUPS also supplies PostScript and
image file Raster Image Processor ("RIP") filters that convert
PostScript or image files into bitmaps that can be sent to a raster
printer.
ENJOY !! :-)
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