qpdldecode

qpdldecode [options] [input_file]

-o output_file
    Specify the output file. If not provided, output is written to standard output.

-d level
    Set the debug level. Higher levels provide more verbose output for debugging purposes.

-v
    Show the version of qpdldecode.

-h
    Display help message

The qpdldecode command is a utility used to decode data encoded in the QPDL format. QPDL is a printer description language often used by Brother printers. This command takes QPDL input and attempts to convert it into a more readable or usable format, often PostScript.
It's primarily designed for diagnostic purposes, allowing users to examine the printer's configuration and capabilities as described by the QPDL data. Understanding the output usually requires knowledge of printer languages and configurations.
The command might be used to troubleshoot printing issues, extract information about printer features, or reverse-engineer communication protocols. It is often packaged together with tools for interacting with Brother printers.

The output format of qpdldecode can be complex and requires specialized knowledge to interpret. The quality of decoding can vary depending on the specific QPDL data and the version of qpdldecode.

Decode a QPDL file and write the output to a file:
qpdldecode -o output.ps input.qpdl
Decode a QPDL file and print debug information to the console:
qpdldecode -d 3 input.qpdl

The history of qpdldecode is closely tied to the development and support of Brother printers. It was created to help diagnose and debug printing issues related to Brother printers. The command is often found as part of a suite of tools for managing Brother printers. The specific origins are not well-documented but it is understood to be used internally by developers and support engineers.

lp(1), lpr(1), cups(1)