NAME

     lp, lpd - copy a file to the line printer


SYNOPSIS

     lp [file ...]


DESCRIPTION

     Each file argument to lp is send to the line printer  to  be
     printed.  Standard input is read and printed if there are no
     arguments.  Lp  executes  /usr/lib/lpd  with  each  file  as
     input.   Lpd  puts  the  file  in  /usr/spool/lpd and starts
     printing the jobs on /dev/lp unless another lpd  is  already
     running.   If  lpd  finds any character in the input that it
     doesn't know how to handle then it will print  the  rest  of
     the  file  without  any  special treatment.  This also means
     that no formfeed is sent after the file has been printed  to
     force  out  the page.  Lpd simply assumes that you know what
     you are doing.  (dumb, eh?)

     Note: Don't do anything with a file until it is printed, lpd
     only  makes  a copy of a file in the spool directory when it
     is not world readable.  If it can be read then it is printed
     directly.


FILES

     /usr/spool/lpd/jobXXXXX
                         Information about a job.

     /usr/spool/lpd/tmpXXXXX
                         Associated file to be printed.

     /etc/termcap        The 'lp' entry describes the printer  by
                         the  "li#" and "co#" fields.  By default
                         66  lines  (li#66),   and   80   columns
                         (co#80).


SEE ALSO

     lp(4), termcap(5), termcap(7).


BUGS

     Not spooling a world readable file may not be such  a  smart
     idea.

     A formfeed should be printed and the printer reset  after  a
     job full of escape codes, but this may cost paper.

     No banner page.


AUTHOR

     Kees J. Bot (kjb@cs.vu.nl)