Chapter 18Writing Backends for CUPS

Backends do the actual communication with printers, detecting and sending print jobs on demand. This chapter describes how to write a backend for CUPS, including a shell script-based backend for Ethertalk printers.

Overview

Backends are special filters that communicate with printers directly. Backends are the final arbiters of print data, doing whatever is necessary to get the print data to the printer. Figure 18.1 shows the role every backend plays.

Figure 18.1 The role of backends in a print job.

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All requirements and advice for filters apply to backends. However, because backends communicate directly with ...

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