Re: Printing same report to matrix and/or laser printer

From: "remove (_at_) to reply" <mips_at_@zg.tel.hr> > >On Thu, 10 Aug 2000 12:30:18 -0700, Jonathan Leffler ><jleffler@informix.com> >wrote: > > >fly wrote: > >> i would like to know that whether is it possible to use a laser printer >to > >> print out a report that already writen using informix 4gl? > >> if possible, how can i make it? > >> does it need other softwares to help me to make it? > >> if it does,what's the software that is suitable for it > > > >Yes. Send the report to the line printer spooler, either with REPORT TO > >PRINTER or REPORT TO PIPE "printer-spooler-program -with-options". > >Obviously, this assumes you have some sort of printer spool queue set > >up, so you need the software to manage that. The traditional names are > >lp and lpr on Unix, and the software comes with the system. > > > >Since this is so obvious, there must be more to your question than meets > >the eye. > > > >Doing special formatting is tricky. There are a variety of ways that > >can be made to work. These days, one of the simpler ones is to generate > >an HTML file, read that into a browser, and have the browser do the > >printing. Alternatively, have the report generate some other markup > >language (eg troff -- done that, complete macro package from the ground > >up and all). > >How can I make produce report file using I4GL that can be printed on matrix >printer with continuous paper (8.5"x12") or laser printer with single sheet >paper (8.5"x11")? > >For example: >Make report that will start at new page for every customer, each row will >have >information about invoice number, invoice date and total invoice value, at >the >begining of every page will be customer number and name, at the end of >every >page will be total value for all invoices at that page and cumulative value >for >invoices for that customer. > >I dont't want to write two reports and user want to make choice of output >device >(matrix printer or laser)? IF user_chose_dot_matrix THEN START REPORT foo TO PIPE "lp -ddotmarix" ELSE START REPORT foo TO PIPE "lp -dlaser" END IF ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com