May 7, 2001
===================================================================
>From the Edge: Automating Printer Selections
Section: New CVAL, GETVAL and #LIST Commands
Platform: R:BASE 2000 (ver 6.5++) for Windows
Build: 1.840JxRT03 and Higher ...
===================================================================
With the introduction of new CVAL and #LIST commands in R:BASE 2000
(ver 6.5++) for Windows, here is how you can automate the printer
selection before printing any REPORTS or SELECT output options!
Easy Steps:
01. Set R:BASE 2000 for Windows Environment
02. Get Database QUOTE Setting
03. Pre-Define All Required Variables
04. Find Windows Default Printer
05. Get List of All Windows Installed Printers
06. Determine the number of lines to be displayed in CHOOSE window
07. Give user the option to select printer from the list
08. Change Printer Accordingly
09. Send Output to the Selected Printer
10. Switch back to the Windows Default Printer
Sample Code:
-- AutoPRN.RMD - Automating Printer Selections
-- Running R:BASE Your Way!
-- 01. Set R:BASE 2000 for Windows Environment
CLEAR ALL VAR
SET CAPTION ' '
SET RBGSIZE CENTER CENTER 800 600
CLS
PAUSE 3 USING 'Please Wait ...' AT 16 30
-- 02. Get Database QUOTE Setting
SET VAR vQuoteName TEXT = QUOTE
SET VAR vQuote = (CVAL(.vQuoteName))
-- 03. Pre-Define All Required Variables
SET VAR vWinDefaultPrinter TEXT = NULL
SET VAR vPrinterList TEXT = NULL
SET VAR vLines INTEGER = 1
SET VAR vTempPrinter TEXT = NULL
-- 04. Find Windows Default Printer
SET VAR vWinDefaultPrinter = (CVAL('CurrentPrinter'))
SET VAR vWinDefaultPrinter = (.vQuote+.vWinDefaultPrinter+.vQuote)
-- 05. Get List of All Windows Installed Printers
SET VAR vPrinterList = (CVAL('Printers'))
-- 06. Determine the number of lines to be displayed in CHOOSE window
WHILE (SSUB(.vPrinterList, .vLines)) IS NOT NULL THEN
SET VAR vLines = (.vLines+1)
ENDWHILE
IF vLines > 20 THEN
SET VAR vLines = 20
ELSE
SET VAR vLines = (.vLines -1)
ENDIF
-- 07. Give user the option to select printer from the list
CLS
CHOOSE vTempPrinter FROM #LIST .vPrinterList AT CENTER CENTER +
CHKBOX 1 TITLE 'Select Printer' +
CAPTION 'Currently Available Printers' +
LINES .vLines FORMATTED
IF vTempPrinter = NULL OR vTempPrinter = '[Esc]' THEN
PAUSE 2 USING 'No Printer Selected!'
GOTO Done
ENDIF
SET VAR vTempPrinter = (.vQuote+.vTempPrinter+.vQuote)
-- 08. Change Printer Accordingly
PRNSETUP &vTempPrinter
-- 09. Send Output to the Selected Printer
OUTP PRINTER
PRINT ReportName WHERE ... ORDER BY ...
OUTP SCREEN
or
SET VAR vRBGLines = (CVAL('LINES'))
SET LINES 0
OUTP PRINTER
SELECT ColName1=10, ColName2=16, ColName3=20=S +
FROM TableName WHERE ... ORDER BY ...
OUTP SCREEN
SET LINES .vRBGLines
-- 10. Switch back to the Windows Default Printer
PRNSETUP &vWinDefaultPrinter
LABEL Done
CLEAR ALL VAR
QUIT TO MainMenu.RMD
Feel free to make any adjustment(s) accordingly!
Stay tuned for more ...
Very Best Regards,
Razzak.
===================================-============================
R:BASE Developers's Conference: http://www.rbase.com/conference
Official R:BASE List Server: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
RBTI Events/Training: http://www.rbase2000.com/events
R:DCC Members: http://www.rbase2000.com/rdcc
================================================================
R:BASE, Oterro & R:Tango are registered trademarks of RBTI.
==================================-=============================
