Windows Printer Driver Development Notes (1)

In Windows, a printer driver is used to write a set of interfaces. Application ProgramThe calling of the GDI function will become the corresponding DDI function. The interface provided by the printer driver is responsible for converting the DDI function into the instructions recognized by the printer. As a result, it is the responsibility of printer moniter, not the responsibility of printer driver, to connect to a real printer through interfaces such as the network port and serial port.

The printer driver is generally divided into two parts.
1. Printer graphics DLL
2. printer interface DLL
Both printer graphics DLL and printer interface DLL are numbered, And the plugin interface is left. Programmers can write the corresponding plugin.

Because Microsoft provides the universal printer driver, writing the driver is easier.
The enhanced universal printer driver can be divided into three parts:
1. Add a file named GPD, which defines some parameters. The universal printer driver will read the file, which is also called the mini driver.
2. The plug-in related to printer graphics DLL is called rendering plug-ins.
3. The plug-in related to printer interface DLL is called User Interface plug-ins.

The printer driver must complete the following interfaces:
Devqueryprintex
Drvconvertdevmode
...
Drvupgradeprinter
These functions are implemented separately in the universal printer driver in unidrvui. dll and unidrv. dll.