OVERVIEW.............The dCLIP Printer Driver system
MAINTENANCE..........The Printer Driver Maintenance Menu
ADDING...............Adding a New Printer Driver Record
EDITING..............Editing a Printer Driver Record
DELETING.............Deleting a Printer Driver Record
SENDING..............Sending Printer codes to your Printer
PSEUDO-CODES.........Printer Psuedo-Code Definitions
CODE FILES...........Creating Separate Code Files
OVERVIEW
The dCLIP Printer Driver system
Description:
The dCLIP Printer Driver system is a database of printer codes
and a set of functions for selecting special print features
when printing reports or custom forms. The database also
includes a spool command for each printer to invoke spooling
operation on a network. Only one printer record can be
"tagged" for use with the system. The highlighted printer
record is automatically tagged when you EXIT the printer
maintenance menu ( accessed via the DC_PRINT() function) or
when you press (ENTER) after selecting the desired record from
the printer select menu ( accessed via the DC_PRINTSEL()
function ). This action will set a flag in the currently
displayed record indicating that this printer record is now the
SYSTEM PRINTER. The DC_SETP() function is used to convert
"pseudo-codes" to the actual printer codes contained in the
printer database. This allows the programmer to design
computer reports and forms that will work with all printers
supported in the printer database.
dCLIP provides for quick selection of printer functions such as
Bold-Print, Underline, Compressed, Italicized, etc. This menu
allows you to (1) select your printer from a database of
printers, (2) press a single keystroke to send a code sequence
to your printer, and quickly return to your calling program.
Many computer users do not use the powerful features designed
into today's printers because of the cumbersome methods
required to select the feature. dCLIP makes the selection
quick and simple. We have included the codes for the most
popular printers in the printer database. If your printer is
not in the list, you can easily add yours to the list.
The Printer parameter codes are stored in a data file named
DCPRINT.DBF and records are added to this file when adding new
printers to the printer list. You may store virtually an
unlimited number of printer records in this file. If you want
to select printer features with a single keystroke you must
configure this file with the code sequences which are to be
sent to the printer. The code sequences will be documented in
the manual you received with your printer.
EXAMPLE: To set an Okidata Model 192 into NEAR LETTER QUALITY
(NLQ) mode, the ASCII character sequence: Esc I 3 must be sent
to the printer. The character sequences stored in the database
are identical to the sequence of characters which must be sent
to the printer, however the dCLIP Printer Maintenance Menu
provides for editing the codes in decimal form. You would
enter the codes for NLQ mode as follows:
| 27/ 73/ 3/ / / / / / / |
Most printer manuals will provide the code(s) in three forms:
ASCII, HEX, and DECIMAL, therefore you simply enter the decimal
code(s) listed in the manual. If your manual gives the codes
only in ASCII or HEX, you may press the F2 key while editing
the codes for the ASCII-HEX to DECIMAL conversion chart.
Once the code(s) have been entered into this file, a single
keystroke corresponding to the desired printer mode is all that
is required to send the code(s) to the printer and set the
desired mode. There are TWENTY default modes and TEN custom
selections for a total of 30 printer parameters which may be
selected by a single key or a single psuedo- code character.
If your printer has more than 30 features you wish to select,
just add a second or third record to the file with the same
printer name, but call them #2, #3, etc. and enter the
additional codes.
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
MAINT
MAINTENANCE
The Printer Driver Maintenance Menu
Description:
The PRINTER MAINTENANCE MENU is accessed by entering the
command PRINTER at the DOT prompt or by the DC_PRINT()
function. This menu will display a a listing of all printer
records in the DCPRINT.DBF printer database. Use the
cursor-pad keys or mouse to select the desired printer
parameter record.
This menu provides the following options:
1. Adding a new printer to the printer database.
2. Editing a printer in the database.
3. Deleting a printer from the database.
4. Setting a printer mode (sending code sequences to printer).
5. Creating separate files with code sequences.
6. Selecting a default printer for use with printer functions.
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
ADDING
Adding a New Printer Driver Record
Description:
To add a new printer to the database, enter the PRINTER
MAINTENANCE MENU with the PRINTER command, then press key (E)
for EDIT OPTIONS followed by key (A) to ADD a record. You will
be prompted with the following:
B = Add Blank record
C = Copy selected printer to new record
X = Exit
Enter (B) if you wish to add a new printer with all the
information in the fields left blank.
Enter (C) if you wish to copy the information in all the
parameter fields from the currently highlighted record into the
new record. This is the most commonly used selection, because
it saves time when setting up a new printer, as most printers
use common code sequences on many features. Just edit those
fields or parameters that are different.
Enter (X) if you change your mind and don't want to create a
new record.
Fill in all the highlighted areas of the screen as required
with the printer parameter information.
MODEL NUMBER
Name and model of the printer you are using.
OUTPUT PATH
Name of the DOS device you are using to control your printer.
For parallel printers, the output path is LPT1 or LPT2. For
serial printers the output path is COM1 or COM2. See your DOS
manual (MODE) for more information about printer devices. If
you are using a single printer, leave the OUTPUT PATH field
blank, and all printed information will automatically be routed
to the printer device established by DOS before entering dCLIP
or by the SET PRINTER TO (device) command. dCLIP will support
several printer devices connected to your computer or your
network and allow you to switch output to the desired device as
required. For example, you may have a system with a letter
quality printer connected to LPT1 and a dot-matrix printer
connected to LPT2. You wish to use the letter quality printer
for letters and the dot-matrix printer for printing your
schedules, graphs and reports. Any time you enter the PRINTER
MAINTENANCE menu with the PRINTER command or DC_PRINT()
function, select a printer with the DC_PRINTSEL() function, or
send codes to the printer with the DC_SETP() function, the
output path will be set to that which is specified by the
selected record.
To send all printed information to a file (to be printed later)
you may enter the name of a file as the OUTPUT PATH. This is
desirable when you wish to run many reports but do not want to
wait for the printer to finish before continuing to the next
report.
For example, you can enter the file named PRINTER.TXT as the
OUTPUT PATH and run off your database reports, print calendar
schedules, notes, and letters. All the report information will
be sent to a file named PRINTER.TXT including all the printer
codes for selecting print modes. Later, you can copy the file
to another diskette and print the reports on a different
computer, or send them to a remote location by network or
modem. See the DC_SETP() function for more information.
PAGE LENGTH
This is the number of lines you want to appear on your printed
reports. Usually this is set to 55, however if you have set
your printer for 8 lines per inch instead of the usual 6 lines
per inch, you may want to increase this number to 73. See the
DC_SETP() function for more information and examples.
START SPOOL COMMAND
This is the command you wish to send to DOS when using the
DC_SETP() function with the "J" parameter. If this field is
left blank, it will do nothing. Use this field if you are
using dCLIP on a network and wish to route your printed output
to a network server printer or an ASCII file on the network.
Novell Example: SPOOL COPIES=2 NB L=1 P=0 NFF
END SPOOL COMMAND
This is the command you wish to send to DOS when using the
DC_SETP() function with the "K" parameter. If this field is
left blank, it will do nothing. Use this field if you are
using dCLIP on a network and wish to empty the spool buffer on
a network server printer or close an ASCII file which has been
opened by the SPOOL command.
Novell Example: ENDSPOOL
PRINTER CODE SEQUENCES
Enter up to ten (10) decimal codes for the sequence of
characters you wish to be sent to the printer by a single
character (psuedo-code) designator with the DC_SETP() function.
The psuedo-code letter and description will be displayed on
the screen. See PSUEDO-CODES for more information.
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
EDITING
Editing a Printer Driver Record
Description:
To edit an existing printer record in the database, enter the
PRINTER MAINTENANCE MENU with the PRINTER command or DC_PRINT()
function. Select the desired printer record, then press key (E)
for EDIT OPTIONS, followed by (E) to edit the selected record.
Follow the same procedure as described for adding a new
printer.
Viewing Printer Parameters
To view the printer parameter information, first select the
desired printer record, then press key (E) for EDIT OPTIONS,
followed by (V) for VIEW.
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
DELETING
Deleting a Printer Driver Record
Description:
To delete an existing printer record in the database, enter the
PRINTER MAINTENANCE MENU with the PRINTER command or DC_PRINT()
function. Select the desired printer record, then press key (M)
for MAINTENANCE OPTIONS followed by (D) to delete. This action
will mark the record in the file for deletion. To UNDELETE,
press key (M) and (D) again. This is a toggle action function.
To permanently remove all records which have been marked for
deletion, press key (M) for MAINTENANCE OPTIONS followed by key
(P) to "Pack" the file.
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
SENDING
Sending Printer codes to your Printer
Description:
Setting a desired printer mode is accomplished by several
methods:
1. Enter the PRINTER MAINTENANCE MENU with the PRINTER command
or DC_PRINT() function. Select the required printer driver
for the printer you are using. Select the SET PRINT MODE
MENU by pressing key (S). Select the desired printer
function or mode by simply pressing the key which
corresponds to the Printer Function desired. The keystrokes
allowed are:
F,P,E,C,Q,N,D,S,M,O,A,B,G,H,U,V,X,Y,I,R = Standard Codes
Z = Select User Defined Codes -) 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Pressing a valid key will send the code sequence to the
printer.
To test that the code sequence was received properly by the
printer, press key (T) to send a test pattern to the printer.
2. Use the DC_SETP() function to translate printer psuedo-codes
to actual code sequences.
-- Example --
dc_printsel() // select a printer driver
set print on
set console off
?? DC_SETP( 'EG' ) // Elite (12 cpi) / Bold On
do (print header routine)
?? DC_SETP( 'CH' ) // Compressed (17 cpi) / Bold Off
do (print columns)
?? DC_SETP( 'P' ) // Pica (10 cpi)
do (print footing routine)
set print off
set console on
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
PSEUDO-CODES
Printer Psuedo-Code Definitions
Description:
A Psuedo-Code is a single character that represents a string of
characters. Psuedo-codes are used in place of real codes so
the program may be designed to work with multiple printers by
converting psuedo-codes to printer codes after selecting a
default printer and before printing a report.
(F) FORM FEED - Page eject.
(P) PICA. 10 Characters per inch.
(E) ELITE. 12 Characters per inch.
(C) COMPRESSED. 17 Characters per inch.
(Q) QUALITY. Letter Quality mode
(N) NORMAL. Data Processing Character Mode
(D) DOUBLE WIDE ON - Elongated characters.
(S) SET DOUBLE WIDE OFF - Elongated characters off.
(M) MARGINS ON - Set left and right margins.
(O) OFF MARGINS - Turn off left and right margins.
(A) Set UNDERLINE ON
(B) Set UNDERLINE OFF
(G) Set BOLD ON
(H) Set BOLD OFF
(U) 6 Lines Per Inch
(V) 8 Lines Per Inch
(X) Set ITALICIZED ON
(Y) Set ITALICIZED OFF
(I) INITIALIZE - Send printer initilization code sequence.
(R) RESET - Send printer reset to default settings sequence.
(J) Send START SPOOL COMMAND to DOS
(K) Send END SPOOL COMMAND to DOS
(0) - (9) - User-defined code sequences.
Suggestions for User-defined code sequences ( 0 - 9 )
Set underline ON/OFF Set Color
Set subscript ON/OFF Set Prop. Spacing ON/OFF
Set Landscape Mode ON Set enhanced printing
Horizontal tab Set line spacing to XXX
Set form length to XXX Select Character Sets
Clear buffer and reset Line Feed
Set skip over perforation Set superscript ON/OFF
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()
dc_setp()
dc_printsel()
CODE FILES
Creating Separate Code Files
Description:
You can create a set of files for general use which contain the
printer codes for the selected printer. Enter the PRINTER
MAINTENANCE MENU with the PRINTER command or DC_PRINT()
function, then press key (P) for PRINT OPTIONS followed by key
(F). This option is useful when you wish to send codes to your
printer without starting up the dCLIP program or any other
Clipper application.
Enter the extension you want on each of the files. For
example, to create a set of files for use with an HP Laserjet
printer, enter the extension .HP and the following files will
be created:
F.HP, P.HP, E.HP, C.HP ---- 8.HP, 9.HP
Each file prefix will be equal to the single-character
PSUEDO-CODE for the printer mode desired and the contents of
the file will be the code sequence to enable the print mode.
These files may be used in your DOS batch files or with other
DOS commands for handy selection of printer options.
-- Example --
The following DOS command will set the printer to (C)ompressed
print mode, print the file TEST.PRG, restore the printer to
(P)ica, then send a (F)orm Feed.
COPY C.HP + TEST.PRG + P.HP + F.HP PRN
See Also:
PRINTER
dc_print()