162Chapter 9 PGL CommandsSTEPMASK (Increment Information Field)The STEPMASK parameter defines the size, amount of increment and whichpositions in the field will be incremented. Valid entries for the STEPMASK fieldare 0-9, L, and any other character.0-9These values dictate the amount of the increment for a selected position inthe incremented field.LThis character indicates that the selected position will not be incremented butthe positions on the right and left of this character remain linked and willincrement the specified amount.Any Other CharacterThese characters indicate that the selected field position will not beincremented and that any position to the left and right of this character are notlinked. Fields to the left and right of this character can only be incrementedindependently.There is one exception to these rules. If the first character after the semicolonpreceding the STEPMASK parameter is a minus sign (-) or a plus (+) sign, theprinter does not include it as part of the STEPMASK. It translates it as anincrement direction command. After the first minus sign additional minussigns will be treated as any other character.STARTDATA (Incremented Field)The STARTDATA parameter defines the starting incremental field. This fieldcan be no larger than the STEPMASK field. It can, however, be smaller thanthe STEPMASK field. If it is smaller, the printer will right justify the field andinsert enough spaces to equalize field sizes. Valid entries for each position inthis field depend on the increment information in the STEPMASK.If STEPMASK = 0-9, Valid STARTDATA is:• A-Z (upper and lower-case)• 0-9• Space characterIf the STEPMASK is not 0-9, then any character may be used forSTARTDATA.This parameter definesthe starting incrementalfield.See the explanation following this table on howto construct the increment information field.Table 10. Fixed Incremental Alphanumeric String CommandField Function Option/Modifier Selections
