Zebra (programming language)
Encyclopedia
The Zebra Programming Language (ZPL) is a Printer
description language
. It is used primarily for label
ing applications. The original ZPL was advanced to ZPL II, but a full compatibility with the older version is not given. Meanwhile, ZPL II is emulated by many label printers of various producers.
Later, the Zebra Basic Interpreter (ZBI) was integrated into printer software, which is seen as an advancement to ZPL II by the producer and is ANSI
Basic oriented. Primarily, it is intended for to avoid a refactoring of code when changing the printer, if the old printer software was written by a label printer of a competitor. With ZBI, it should be possible that the Zebra printer gets an "alien" data format and converts it to the requested ZPL II format automatically.
Some printers support also the older Eltron Programming Language
(EPL) for printers.
Printer
Printer may refer to:* Printer , a person or a company* Printer , a hardware device* Optical printer for motion picture films* The Moscow subway station Pechatniki, whose name means "Printers"...
description language
Description language
Description language may refer to:* Interface description language aka interface definition language ** Regular Language description for XML ** Web Services Description Language ** Page description language...
. It is used primarily for label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
ing applications. The original ZPL was advanced to ZPL II, but a full compatibility with the older version is not given. Meanwhile, ZPL II is emulated by many label printers of various producers.
Later, the Zebra Basic Interpreter (ZBI) was integrated into printer software, which is seen as an advancement to ZPL II by the producer and is ANSI
Ansi
Ansi is a village in Kaarma Parish, Saare County, on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia....
Basic oriented. Primarily, it is intended for to avoid a refactoring of code when changing the printer, if the old printer software was written by a label printer of a competitor. With ZBI, it should be possible that the Zebra printer gets an "alien" data format and converts it to the requested ZPL II format automatically.
Some printers support also the older Eltron Programming Language
Eltron Programming Language
Eltron Programming Language is a printer control language used to produce printed paper labels for various Eltron model printers.Newer printers support also the Zebra Programming Language ....
(EPL) for printers.
Commands
The language commands always start with a caret sign ('^'). Currently, more than 170 commands exist in ZPL II. Each format has to start with the command ^XA and end with ^XZ. For instance, the font size is sent to the printer with the ^ADN,x,x command, where x is an integer; ^ADN,18,10 is the smallest size and ^ADN,180,100 the largest.