How to start using CUPS?

[Elly K]

> Elly K wrote:
>
> > Hello list,
> > I am a mainframe programmer and we've got CUPS installed on the Linux side
> > of the mainframe.  I know some Java and my boss wants me to create an
> > application to print PDF documents using the CUPS software.  So I would
> > like to know a few things and I would appreciate if you could help me with
> > it.
> >
> > 1) Is there a manual or something where I can start reading on how to use
> > cups?
> There is quite a good howto ab www.openprinting.org which I'd recommend to
> read. Your mainframe Linux should behave much like an "ordinary" Linux.
> > 2) I have a windows PC.  If I want to test my application locally, do I
> > need a Linux box?
> Though it is possible to build CUPS on a Windows PC under cygwin, I'd
> recommend to install a Linux under a virtual machine. Look at vmware.com for
> a desktop version of their virtual machine.
> > 3) If the printer is jammed or runs out of paper or gets
> > disconnected from the network, will CUPS notify my application of the
> > error?
> That depends on how the printer is connected with the system. If the backend
> program (that is the part of the CUPS system that maintains the physical
> connection to the real printer) and the printer itself both offer a
> bidirectional interface, and the printer does report such events, CUPS
> provides various methods to notify users or sysadmins accordingly.
> >
> > Thanks for your time,
> > EK
>
> Helge
>

Thanks Helge.  I appreciate it