How to use the command 'print' (with examples)

The print command is a straightforward yet powerful utility available in the Windows operating system, allowing users to send text files directly to a printer. This command facilitates document printing directly through the command line, making it a handy tool for automating print jobs or integrating printing into scripts and applications. Whether you need to print to your default printer or specify a particular printer for your document, the print command offers simple yet effective options to achieve your task efficiently.

Use case 1: Print a text file to the default printer

Code:

print path\to\file

Motivation:

Imagine you’re working in an office environment where you frequently need to print reports or notes from .txt files on your computer. Rather than opening each file in a text editor and manually sending each to print, which can be time-consuming and repetitive, the print command simplifies this task with just a single command line entry. This is particularly useful for automating the printing process in batch jobs or scripts where efficiency and speed are crucial.

Explanation:

• print: This is the command invoking the print utility, which is used to send files to a printer from the command prompt.
• path\to\file: This is the path to the text file you wish to print. It represents the location on your hard drive where the file is stored. You can use either a relative path or an absolute path based on your current directory context.

Example output:

When you run this command, the specified text file will be sent to the default printer connected to your system. Typically, there is no visible output on the command line since it performs an action that interacts with hardware (the printer). Instead, you might receive a confirmation message or nothing if executed successfully. The outcome is your text file printed as a hard copy.

Use case 2: Print a text file to a specific printer

Code:

print /d:printer path\to\file

Motivation:

In environments where multiple printers are accessible, such as in larger corporate offices or shared workspaces, it’s often necessary to direct documents to specific printers. For instance, you might have a separate color printer for graphics-heavy documents or a network printer located on a different floor from where you are situated. By specifying the printer using the print command, you can ensure that your document is sent directly to the desired printer without the need to adjust system defaults or manually select the printer, streamlining the workflow.

Explanation:

• print: This command invokes the printing utility, allowing you to send the text file to the desired printer.
• /d:printer: The /d: switch is used to specify the destination. Here, printer refers to either the name or address of the printer you intend to use. You need to have the correct printer name as configured in your device settings.
• path\to\file: This signifies the full path to the file you want to print. It’s the address where your text file is stored, and providing this allows the print command to access and send the file to the chosen printer.

Example output:

Executing this command results in the text file being sent to the specified printer. Similar to printing with the default printer, there’s typically no visible output unless there’s an error or a confirmation message returned by the system. The main visible sign of success is the hard copy of the document printed out from the specified printer.

Conclusion:

The print command in Windows is a versatile tool that simplifies the task of sending text files to printers directly from the command line. By leveraging this command, users can effectively manage print jobs with greater flexibility, selecting either default or specific printers as needed. This utility becomes particularly beneficial in automated scripts and batch processing, enhancing efficiency and productivity in environments where printing tasks are a regular part of workflow processes. Whether you are managing simple print jobs or conducting more complex setups involving multiple printers, understanding and using the print command can significantly streamline the document handling process.