Method and apparatus for supporting application and device independent print support

摘要

A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing a print job. A call is received from an application to print the print job to a selected printer, wherein the print job includes a request to use a hardware service. A print preview of the print job prior to printing the print job is provided. Responsive to receiving an indication that the print job is to be printed after providing the print preview, the print job is sent to a device driver for the selected printer to print the print job. A determination is made as to whether the selected printer supports the hardware service. Responsive to a determination that the hardware service is unsupported by the selected printer, the hardware service is provided using a software simulation.