Parsing PCL for Text

Question

Ok, so I know this is a crappy question but it has been driving me crazy all day...

I have a bunch of files containing raw PCL6/PCL XL code from printing jobs run to our printers. What I need to be able to do is somehow parse them so I can search for specific text.

Does anyone know if this is possible or understand PCL enough to suggest a reason why even on basic prints from say notepad the raw text doesn't seem to be visible within the code?

I suppose I should mention, I need to be able to code this into my C# app. Manual converters or the ability to print the pcl is not going to do what I want.

Answer 1

@mcalex is correct, PCL 6 (PCLXL) is a compiled binary. You can't read it. You need something that can decompile for you. Pagetech have some solutions for this. You could also look to convert to some other format where the data might be more readable. If the source could be generated in PCL 5 or PS you "might" have a better chance or reading the data directly (although not likely).