Has PRINT been used yet?

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2 total messages Started by Jon Arnold Fri, 18 Dec 1992 02:39

#402

Author: Jon Arnold
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 02:39

21 lines
1357 bytes

This might be more an MS/DOS question, but I'll post it here, since I'm
trying to accomplish this using Basic.  In DOS (v5.0), the *first* time
you go to use the PRINT command, DOS will ask you where you want the
file printed to;  You can override this question by using the "/D:"
switch on the PRINT command line.

However, *after* the first time you print, the "/D:" switch is no longer
valid; in fact, it generates an error message.

I've got a program where I want to shell out to DOS to print a report.
However, I don't know how to setup the program so that it will know whether
it needs to PRINT/D: or just PRINT.  Is there an environment variable
or something that can be examined to determine whether or not the "/D:"
switch will be required, or if a PRINT has already been done since the
last boot?

Jon Arnold                        Phone: W: 603-883-1233
Nashua, New Hampshire             Fax:   W: 603-883-7350
                                         H: 603-883-6371

      "If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes."

Re: Has PRINT been used yet?

#299

Author: Ian Staples
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 08:46

35 lines
2069 bytes

In article <724646371snx@tixel.mv.com> jarnold@tixel.mv.com writes:
>This might be more an MS/DOS question, but I'll post it here, since I'm
>trying to accomplish this using Basic.  In DOS (v5.0), the *first* time
>you go to use the PRINT command, DOS will ask you where you want the
>file printed to;  You can override this question by using the "/D:"
>switch on the PRINT command line.
>
>However, *after* the first time you print, the "/D:" switch is no longer
>valid; in fact, it generates an error message.
>
>I've got a program where I want to shell out to DOS to print a report.
>However, I don't know how to setup the program so that it will know whether
>it needs to PRINT/D: or just PRINT.  Is there an environment variable
>or something that can be examined to determine whether or not the "/D:"
>switch will be required, or if a PRINT has already been done since the
>last boot?

I used to initiate PRINT in my AUTOEXEC.BAT file, using the format
PRINT /D:prn
This approach ensured it was ready when I needed it later.

However, I then realised that PRINT was taking up a lot of memory (it's
a TSR), which is probably why you often see instructions for printing
manuals etc. in the form COPY filename PRN

Now that I'm "networked" memory is a bit short, so I've stopped using
PRINT and use COPY like everyone else.

Cheers, Ian S.

-- 
Ian Staples                       | Internet : ianst@qdpii.comp.qdpi.oz.au
c/- P.O. Box 1054,                | Fax      : +61 (0)70 923 593
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