# HP Inkjet Driver

> Ghostscript printer driver for HP printers

**Wikidata**: [Q124715526](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124715526)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hp-inkjet-driver

## Summary
HP Inkjet Driver, also known as HPIJS, is a free software Ghostscript printer driver specifically designed for HP printers. It enables HP inkjet printers to function in various operating systems by translating print jobs into printer-specific commands.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Ghostscript printer driver for HP printers.
- **Aliases**: HPIJS.
- **Software Classification**: Free software, allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions.
- **Primary Function**: Translates print jobs into HP printer-specific commands using Ghostscript.
- **Operating System Support**: Packaged for FreeBSD (print/hpijs), Gentoo (net-print/hplip), Ubuntu (printer-driver-hpijs), OpenSUSE (hplip-hpijs), and NetBSD (print/hpijs).
- **Official Documentation**: Described at https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/tech_docs/hpijs.
- **Relationship**: Supplements Q1135839 (HPLIP).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of HP Inkjet Driver (HPIJS)?
A: HP Inkjet Driver (HPIJS) is a Ghostscript driver that enables HP inkjet printers to work with operating systems like Linux and BSD by converting print data into the specific language the printer understands.

### Q: Is HP Inkjet Driver free to use and modify?
A: Yes, HP Inkjet Driver is classified as free software, meaning users have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute it and its modified versions.

### Q: Where can I find HP Inkjet Driver for my Linux distribution?
A: It is available as a package: 'printer-driver-hpijs' in Ubuntu, 'net-print/hplip' in Gentoo, 'hplip-hpijs' in OpenSUSE, 'print/hpijs' in FreeBSD, and 'print/hpijs' in NetBSD.

### Q: What is the difference between HPIJS and HPLIP?
A: HPIJS (the Ghostscript driver) is specifically the printer driver component, while HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) is a larger suite that includes HPIJS but adds scanning, status monitoring, and other management tools.

## Why It Matters
HP Inkjet Driver (HPIJS) played a crucial role in enabling HP inkjet printer functionality on non-Windows platforms, particularly Linux and BSD operating systems. Before widespread vendor-supplied drivers, HPIJS provided a reliable, open-source solution, reducing the reliance on proprietary software and broadening printer compatibility. Its availability as free software empowered users and administrators to integrate HP hardware into diverse computing environments without cost or vendor lock-in, fostering community-driven support and troubleshooting. This driver significantly improved the accessibility of HP printers in open-source ecosystems, solving a key compatibility problem for users.

## Notable For
- **Free Software Status**: Being a free software solution for HP printer drivers, fostering open-source alternatives.
- **Cross-Platform Support**: Being packaged and readily available for multiple major Linux/BSD distributions (Ubuntu, Gentoo, OpenSUSE, FreeBSD, NetBSD).
- **Ghostscript Integration**: Leveraging the powerful Ghostscript interpreter for printer-specific command translation.
- **Part of HPLIP Suite**: Serving as the core Ghostscript driver component within the larger HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) project.

## Body
### Core Functionality
HP Inkjet Driver, commonly known as HPIJS, is a Ghostscript-based printer driver. Its fundamental role is to translate generic print data (typically in a high-level format like PostScript) into the specific language or commands that HP inkjet printers require for rendering output. It acts as an intermediary between the operating system's printing system and the physical HP printer.

### Software Classification and Licensing
HP Inkjet Driver (HPIJS) is explicitly classified as free software. This classification signifies that the software is distributed under terms granting users the essential freedoms: to run the software, to study and modify its source code, and to redistribute it and modified versions, without restriction.

### Distribution and Packaging
The driver is distributed through official package repositories of various operating systems:
*   **FreeBSD**: `print/hpijs`
*   **Gentoo**: `net-print/hplip` (Note: This package name covers the full HPLIP suite, which includes HPIJS)
*   **Ubuntu**: `printer-driver-hpijs`
*   **OpenSUSE**: `hplip-hpijs`
*   **NetBSD**: `print/hpijs`

### Relationship to HPLIP
HPIJS functions as the core printer driver component within the larger HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) project. HPLIP encompasses a broader suite of tools, including drivers (like HPIJS), scanning utilities, printer status monitoring, and configuration tools. HPIJS specifically handles the Ghostscript-based printing tasks, while HPLIP provides additional functionalities. It is explicitly noted that HPIJS "supplements" HPLIP (referenced as Q1135839).

### Official Documentation
Comprehensive information about HPIJS is maintained at its official developer documentation URL: https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/tech_docs/hpijs. This resource provides detailed technical specifications, installation guides, and developer notes.