Apple Inc. backend(7)
NAME
backend - cups backend transmission interfaces
SYNOPSIS
backend
backend job user title num-copies options [ filename ]
DESCRIPTION
Backends are a special type of filter(7) which is used to send print data to and discover different devices on the system.Like filters, backends must be capable of reading from a
filename on the command-line or from the standard input,
copying the standard input to a temporary file as required by the physical interface. The command name (argv[0]) is set to the device URI of thedestination printer. Starting with CUPS 1.1.22, any authen-
tication information in argv[0] is removed, so backend
developers are urged to use the DEVICE_URI environment vari-
able whenever authentication information is required. The CUPS API includes a cupsBackendDeviceURI function for retrieving the correct device URI.Back-channel data from the device should be relayed to the
job filters by writing to file descriptor 3. The CUPS API includes the cupsBackChannelWrite function for this purpose. DEVICE DISCOVERYWhen run with no arguments, the backend should list the dev-
ices and schemes it supports or is advertising to stdout. The output consists of zero or more lines consisting of any of the following forms:device-class scheme "Unknown" "device-info"
device-class device-uri "device-make-and-model" "device-info"
device-class device-uri "device-make-and-model" "device-info" "device-id"
device-class device-uri "device-make-and-model" "device-info" "device-id" "device-location"
The device-class field is one of the following values:
directThe device-uri refers to a specific direct-access
12 May 2009 Last change: CUPS 1Apple Inc. backend(7)
device with no options, such as a parallel, USB, or SCSI device. fileThe device-uri refers to a file on disk.
networkThe device-uri refers to a networked device and con-
forms to the general form for network URIs. serialThe device-uri refers to a serial device with configur-
able baud rate and other options. If the device-uri
contains a baud value, it represents the maximum baud rate supported by the device. The scheme field provides the URI scheme that is supportedby the backend. Backends should use this form only when the
backend supports any URI using that scheme. The device-uri
field specifies the full URI to use when communicating with the device.The device-make-and-model field specifies the make and model
of the device, e.g. "Acme Foojet 2000". If the make and model is not known, you must report "Unknown".The device-info field specifies additional information about
the device. Typically this includes the make and model along with the port number or network address, e.g. "Acme Foojet2000 USB #1".
The optional device-id field specifies the IEEE-1284 device
ID string for the device, which is used to select a matching driver.The optional device-location field specifies the physical
location of the device, which is often used to pre-populate
the printer-location attribute when adding a printer.
PERMISSIONS Backends without world execute permissions are run as theroot user. Otherwise, the backend is run using the
unprivileged user account, typically "lp". 12 May 2009 Last change: CUPS 2Apple Inc. backend(7)
EXIT CODESThe following exit codes are defined for backends; C API
constants defined in the
defined in parenthesis:header file are 0 (CUPS_BACKEND_OK)
The print file was successfully transmitted to the dev-
ice or remote server.1 (CUPS_BACKEND_FAILED)
The print file was not successfully transmitted to the device or remote server. The scheduler will respond tothis by canceling the job, retrying the job, or stop-
ping the queue depending on the state of the error-
policy attribute.2 (CUPS_BACKEND_AUTH_REQUIRED)
The print file was not successfully transmitted because valid authentication information is required. The scheduler will respond to this by holding the job andadding the authentication-required job-reasons keyword.
3 (CUPS_BACKEND_HOLD)
The print file was not successfully transmitted because it cannot be printed at this time. The scheduler will respond to this by holding the job.4 (CUPS_BACKEND_STOP)
The print file was not successfully transmitted because it cannot be printed at this time. The scheduler will respond to this by stopping the queue.5 (CUPS_BACKEND_CANCEL)
The print file was not successfully transmitted because one or more attributes are not supported. The scheduler will respond to this by canceling the job. All other exit code values are reserved.SEE ALSO
cupsd(8), cupsd.conf(5), filter(7), http://localhost:631/help 12 May 2009 Last change: CUPS 3Apple Inc. backend(7)
COPYRIGHTCopyright 2007-2009 by Apple Inc.
12 May 2009 Last change: CUPS 4