FAQ: Which file prints first?

Question: When RPM receives more than one print job at a time, which one will print first?

Answer: RPM processes the data on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis. The first print job that RPM completely receives is the first job that will print out.

Let me describe a scenario that will provide a better picture. Let's say you send 2 jobs to RPM, one immediately after another. The first file you send is 60MB, and the second is a 3MB file. It is very possible that even though RPM started receiving the larger file first, it will probably print the small file first because that is the one RPM finishes receiving first.