October 5, 2001
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>From the Edge: Enhancing and Automating PRNSETUP Options
(A comprehensive look)
Section: New CVAL Functions
Chapter: Running R:BASE Your Way!
Platform: R:BASE 2000 (ver 6.5++) for Windows
Build: 1.843xRT03 and Higher
================================================================
Many new CVAL functions were introduced with the release of
R:BASE 2000 (ver 6.5++) for Windows on June 15, 2001.
To add more value, a new (CVAL('WindowsPrinter')) function has
been introduced in R:BASE 2000 (version 6.5++) for Windows,
In-Line Patch-1, Build:1.843xRT03, to be released soon.
Now, you can enhance and completely automate PRNSETUP options!
First, let's gather all related PRNSETUP options along with
any associated CVAL Functions and Enhanced CHOOSE parameters
to automate PRNSETUP options.
Commands:
PRNSETUP
Parameters: PRNSETUP 'Printer Name'
PRNSETUP 'Paper Size'
PRNSETUP 'Paper Source'
PRNSETUP 'Orientation'
PRNSETUP COPY n
For details on each parameter above, please
check PRNSETUP topic on http://www.RSyntax.com
CHOOSE
Parameters: #LIST
CVAL Functions:
(CVAL('Printers'))
(CVAL('WindowsPrinter'))
(CVAL('CurrentPrinter'))
(CVAL('Printers'))
Returns the list of all installed printers on local workstation
(CVAL('WindowsPrinter'))
Returns the name of windows default printer
(CVAL('CurrentPrinter'))
Returns the name of selected windows printer for current R:BASE
session using PRNSETUP 'Printer Name' command. If no PRNSETUP
'Printer Name' command was issued, then, R:BASE for Windows
will default to the windows default printer.
Following examples will explain different ways to enhance and
automate PRNSETUP options:
Example 01:
Among various types of installed printers on your local
workstation, if you need to print two copies of legal size
reports from the lower tray of your HP Laserjet 4 printer,
here's what you need do at the R> prompt or in a command
file:
PRNSETUP 'HP Laserjet 4'
PRNSETUP 'LEGAL'
PRNSETUP 'LOWER'
PRNSETUP COPY 2
OUTP PRINTER
PRINT ReportName WHERE ... ORDER BY ...
OUTP SCREEN
Example 02:
In your customized application, if you would like to create
a PDF version of any report, for example, using Adobe Acrobat
PDFWriter printer driver (if installed), and then after
creating the PDF file want to switch back to the windows
default printer, here's what you would do:
SET VAR vWinPrinter = (CVAL('WindowsPrinter'))
PRNSETUP 'Acrobat PDFWriter'
OUTP PRINTER
PRINT ReportName WHERE ... ORDER BY ...
OUTP SCREEN
PRNSETUP .vWinPrinter
Example 03:
If you would like to give your users the option to choose
from a list of all installed printers on local workstations,
pick appropriate printer and then switch back to windows
default printer, here's how:
-- AutoPRN.RMD - Automating Printer Selections (10 Steps)
-- 01. Set R:BASE 2000 for Windows Environment
CLEAR ALL VAR
SET CAPTION ' '
SET AUTODROP OFF
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 vCurrPrinter TEXT = NULL
-- 04. Find Windows Default Printer
SET VAR vWinPrinter = (CVAL('WindowsPrinter'))
SET VAR vWinPrinter = (.vQuote+.vWinPrinter+.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 vCurrPrinter FROM #LIST .vPrinterList AT CENTER CENTER +
CHKBOX 1 TITLE 'Select Printer' +
CAPTION 'Currently Available Printers' +
LINES .vLines FORMATTED
IF vCurrPrinter IS NULL OR vCurrPrinter = '[Esc]' THEN
PAUSE 2 USING 'No Printer Selected!'
GOTO Done
ENDIF
SET VAR vCurrPrinter = (.vQuote+.vCurrPrinter+.vQuote)
-- 08. Change Printer Accordingly
PRNSETUP &vCurrPrinter
-- 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 &vWinPrinter
LABEL Done
CLEAR ALL VAR
QUIT TO MainMenu.RMD
RETURN
Example 04:
In your application, if you would always like to display
both default printer for R:BASE session as well as windows
default printer, then, you can use the following options:
SET VAR vCurrPrinter = (CVAL('CurrentPrinter'))
SET VAR vWinPrinter = (CVAL('WindowsPrinter'))
Once defined, you may display these variables as CAPTION or
variable objects in R:BASE forms.
Now just imagine the various possibilities of using the POWER
and Flexibility of R:BASE 2000 (version 6.5++) for Windows.
You're ONLY limited by your imagination!
Stay tuned for more ....
Very Best Regards,
Razzak.
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