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TechTalk: Printing PC Reports on the AS/400

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We use PC Support daily to transfer data back and forth between our AS/400 and a PC, and to print PC-generated reports on high-speed AS/400 printers. We've automated these jobs so the user doesn't need to do anything except execute a PC batch file. 4 illustrates the PC batch file that we created for one of these jobs.

We use PC Support daily to transfer data back and forth between our AS/400 and a PC, and to print PC-generated reports on high-speed AS/400 printers. We've automated these jobs so the user doesn't need to do anything except execute a PC batch file. Figure 4 illustrates the PC batch file that we created for one of these jobs.

The batch file performs the following functions:

1. Starts up PC Support. 2. Assigns an AS/400 printer to DOS device LPT2. 3. Copies a report stored in PC disk file INCEDI.RPT to the AS/400 printer. 4. Removes PC Support from memory.

There are two files that must be created: RTRPWD.DAT and CFGLPT2.VP. The RTRPWD.DAT file contains two records-one with an AS/400 user ID and one with a password. CFGLPT2.VP contains one record, which defines the virtual printer (see 5).

There are two files that must be created: RTRPWD.DAT and CFGLPT2.VP. The RTRPWD.DAT file contains two records-one with an AS/400 user ID and one with a password. CFGLPT2.VP contains one record, which defines the virtual printer (see Figure 5).

The @pause statement is very important, since part of the report may still be in transit when PC Support gets removed from memory. Our experience has been that about half of the last page of the report never makes it to the AS/400 when we remove PC Support immediately after the copy.

Of course, the @pause requires operator intervention. To automate things, you could create a timed delay. For example, use the GWBASIC interpreter statement in place of the @pause (see 6).

Of course, the @pause requires operator intervention. To automate things, you could create a timed delay. For example, use the GWBASIC interpreter statement in place of the @pause (see Figure 6).

Make sure the delay is long enough for the size of the report you are sending. The timed delay could be written in other languages, too, but almost everyone has a BASIC interpreter.

TechTalk: Printing PC Reports on the AS/400

Figure 4 PC batch file to print reports

 Figure 4: PC Batch File to Print Reports if "%1"=="" %0 c:pcsconfig.pcs e5250ah startrtr %1 < rtrpwd.dat startflr %1 cfgflr %1 i:vprt i:cfgvprt c:cfglpt2.vp copy INCEDI.RPT lpt2 @echo When the spool file has finished building on the AS/400, @pause i:rmvpcs all /f 
 
 TechTalk: Printing PC Reports on the AS/400
 
 Figure 5 CFGLPT2.VP file
 
 Figure 5: CFGLPT2.VP File PRNT 2,AS/400_System_name,AS/400_Printer 
 
 TechTalk: Printing PC Reports on the AS/400
 
 Figure 6 Replacing @PAUSE with BASIC program
 
 Figure 6: Replacing @pause With BASIC Program @echo for i=1 to 100000:next:system || gwbasic.ex
TED HOLT

Ted Holt is IT manager of Manufacturing Systems Development for Day-Brite Capri Omega, a manufacturer of lighting fixtures in Tupelo, Mississippi. He has worked in the information processing industry since 1981 and is the author or co-author of seven books. 

MC Press books written by Ted Holt available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Complete CL: Fifth Edition Complete CL: Fifth Edition
Become a CL guru and fully leverage the abilities of your system.
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Complete CL: Sixth Edition Complete CL: Sixth Edition
Now fully updated! Get the master guide to Control Language programming.
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IBM i5/iSeries Primer IBM i5/iSeries Primer
Check out the ultimate resource and “must-have” guide for every professional working with the i5/iSeries.
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Qshell for iSeries Qshell for iSeries
Check out this Unix-style shell and utilities command interface for OS/400.
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