The user wants to print specific types of output in an appropriate manner on the right paper. So it should not matter to him how the system gets this done. All that is important is that the output is directed to some object that subsequently produces the desired printout. Therefore the concept of logical printers in a print manager was changed to the concept of printer objects.
A printer object represents a certain arrangement of hardware, software, and specifications that are made to simplify the printing for the user. So, if printing is needed on three different sizes or types of paper then there will be three different printer objects, each for one specific type of output.
Local OS/2 Printing
For local printing everything is installed on the individual workstation and therefore it is simple to install a printer and the driver for it. Other printer objects directing different output to the same printer can be quickly created using the Workplace Shell.
Printing from DOS Programs
The term DOS Printing refers to two different types of printing:
As DOS printing does not happen from the Workplace Shell there are also no icons to represent any destinations. This also means that these functions are done in the traditional way by setting up a printer from within applications.
DOS Programs are discussed in detail in OS/2 Version 2.0 - Volume 2: DOS and Windows Environment.
Remote Printing
The process of remote printing can become a little bit more complicated because the setup for the destination printer is done on the print server. For the local user, printer objects have to be created that reflect the functions on the server. In addition, the local printer object has to indicate the status of the remote printer.
Printing is described in more detail in OS/2 Version 2.0 - Volume 5: Print Subsystem.