Tag Archives: COM2

SP Printer Issues

Posted on by vivaclipper 
 This is how printing is handled by the library
 functions. You need not follow this method except where it is
 imbedded in SuperLib metafunctions.

 The function SLS_PRN() is a SET/RETRIEVE function
 which sets and retrieves the default printer port as a string
 with the default as "LPT1". This function may be called with any
 valid printer port name as a parameter to set a new printer port
 for SuperLib usage.

 Valid values are "LPT1", "LPT2", "LPT3", "COM1",
 "COM2" - anything you could issue a SET PRINTER TO
 <cPort> with.

 Another SET/RETRIEVE function - SLS_PRNC() - points
 to the setting which determines if the printer port will be
 checked for readiness before printing. Passing it a False causes
 it to not check the printer before printing - handy in some
 network situations.

 At print time, LPT* ports are checked for readiness
 via the P_READY() function. (COM ports are not checked for
 readiness.) However, if SLS_PRNC() has been passed a .f., no
 check for readiness is done.

 P_READY() uses the .ASM function ISPRN() to check for
 readiness.

 If the port is not ready, the user is given
 the option to:       Try Again
                      Ignore the Warning
                      Select a Different Printer Port
                      Abort the print request

 If Abort is selected, P_READY() returns false.

 

SP_PRNPORT

Posted on by vivaclipper 
PRNPORT()

  Short:
  ------
  PRNPORT() Determine Printer Port to use

  Returns:
  --------
  <cPort> => port chosen

  Syntax:
  -------
  PRNPORT([cPort1],[cPort2]..[cPort9])

  Description:
  ------------
  Allows user to select printer port for SET PRINTER TO
  output. Printer is set to this port

  [cPort1-9] are valid SET PRINTER TO strings

  LPT1 LPT2 LPT3 COM1 COM2 COM3 COM4 <FILENAME>

  Default is "LPT1","LPT2","LPT3"

  Examples:
  ---------
   cTheport := PRNPORT("LPT1","COM1")

  Source:
  -------
  S_PRNPOR.PRG

 

 

FT_ISPRINT

Posted on by vivaclipper 
FT_ISPRINT()
 Check printer status
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Syntax

     FT_ISPRINT( [ <cDevice> ] ) -> lResult

 Arguments

    <cDevice> is optional and is the device to test (LPT2, COM1, etc.).
    If omitted, the function will default to the PRN device.

 Returns

    .T.  if device is ready for output.
    .F.  if one of the following conditions occurs:
         1)  The device is not ready.
         2)  The device does not exist.
         3)  DOS couldn't open the device for some reason
             (such as no file handles available).

 Description

    The Clipper IsPrinter() function is somewhat limited because it only
    works with LPT1.  Furthermore, it talks directly to the hardware, so
    if you have redirected LPT1 via the DOS MODE command, the IsPrinter()
    function will return erroneous results.

    This function offers a better alternative.  Instead of talking to the
    hardware, it issues a DOS call that checks to see if the device is
    ready or not.  That gives DOS an opportunity to deal with any
    redirections, and since you pass the device name as a parameter, you
    can test any device, not just LPT1 (note that the function defaults
    to PRN if you fail to pass a valid parameter).

    The function also temporarily traps the DOS critical error handler so
    you don't get any nasty error messages if the device isn't ready.  It
    restores the old critical error handler before exiting.

    Note that although this function is mainly designed for testing
    printers, you can also check to see if a drive is ready.  Since DOS
    thinks the NUL device exists on every drive, you can pass a drive
    letter followed by NUL as a parameter.  If DOS is able to open the
    NUL device, then the drive is ready, otherwise the door is open or
    something else is wrong.

    The source code is written to adhere to Turbo Assembler's IDEAL mode.
    To use another assembler, you will need to rearrange the PROC and
    SEGMENT directives, and also the ENDP and ENDS directives (a very
    minor task).

 Examples

    IF ! FT_ISPRINT()
       Qout( "PRN is not ready!" )
    ENDIF

    IF ! FT_ISPRINT( "COM2" )
       Qout( "Check the device on COM2.  Something is wrong." )
    ENDIF

    IF ! FT_ISPRINT( "A:\NUL" )
       Qout( "Oops, better check drive A!" )
    ENDIF

 Source: ISPRINT.ASM

 Author: Ted Means