Print Files and Hold Files

Each print job generates a print file. The job's entry in the print queue points to the location of the print file, which is retrieved when the printer is ready to accept the job. Once the job is finished printing, the print queue entry is removed and the frames used by the print file are released. Print files are held in the print queue if the assigned printer is not available.

Output from an account can also be maintained as a hold file. A hold file is a print file with a hold status. It remains on the print queue, regardless of whether the job is printed or not. Hold files must be explicitly deleted from the queue when they are no longer needed. (A full file-restore clears the print queue.) The SP-ASSIGN command is used to specify that spooled output is to be retained as a hold file. The SP-EDIT command is used to manipulate hold files on the queue. It allows the user to examine any hold file on the screen, print the file, or direct it to tape drive or floppy disk drive. The SP-EDIT file is also used to delete hold files or direct them to a form queue different from the one originally specified.

Only a job that is currently printing can be cancelled by the SP-KILL command. Print files that are in the queue but are not printing must be converted into hold files using the SP-ASSIGN command; only then can they be manipulated. The user cannot view or delete a print file unless it has a hold status. You must make it a hold file and then use SP-EDIT to perform those tasks.