🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Aug7.193823.11100@wuecl.wustl.edu> cld@wucs1.wustl.edu (Christopher L. Davis) writes:
>Hello.  I have inherited a problem and am seeking help.  We are currently
>	creating a 4D application and need to use a Star Micronics SP300
>	register type printer (small width paper cash register type).  We
>	were apparently unaware of the fact that we would have to write a
>	printer driver for it.  I have the source for a driver that someone
>	else wrote, but I need to know how 4D puts out data to be printed.
>	First, I am not very Mac literate (esp wrt programming).  I got this
>	job by being the only non-COBOL 3GL knowledgable person on staff,
>	some luck, huh?  I can see two possible solutions:

>	1.  You already have a driver and use it with 4D and you will let
>	    me buy or have your code

Check with your local software/hardware retailer for non-Apple printer
interface products. GDT Printworks comes to mind. These products include
the printer drivers that you need.

>	2.  You will provide the format of the raw output data from 4D and 
>	    I will muddle through the source I now have.
4D can talk directly to the serial port that the printer is hooked up to.
You will need to review the commands SET CHANNEL, ON SERIAL PORT CALL,
SEND PACKET, and RECIEVE PACKET. We've done this before. It's ugly,
but it works and it's fast. This is the ideal approach, because you are
not dependent on a third party for drivers that may not keep current the
current Mac OS.

>
>Chris Davis    cld@wucs1.wustl.edu    (preferred)
>	       chirs@csc1.prin.edu


Best regards,

    Brian K. Martin, M.D.
    Martin Information Systems, Ltd.
    1103 9th Avenue, Suite 203
    Honolulu, Hawai`i 96816-2403 USA
    Voice (808) 733-2003
    Fax (808) 733-2011

INTERNET: bmartin@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu
CompuServe: 76535,250

In article <1992Aug7.193823.11100@wuecl.wustl.edu> cld@wucs1.wustl.edu (Christopher L. Davis) writes:
>Subject: Help needed with 4D and Printer Drivers!!!!
>From: cld@wucs1.wustl.edu (Christopher L. Davis)
>Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1992 19:38:23 GMT
>Keywords: 4D,printer,driver
>Hello.  I have inherited a problem and am seeking help.  We are currently
>	creating a 4D application and need to use a Star Micronics SP300
>	register type printer (small width paper cash register type).  We
>	were apparently unaware of the fact that we would have to write a
>	printer driver for it.  I have the source for a driver that someone
>	else wrote, but I need to know how 4D puts out data to be printed.
>	First, I am not very Mac literate (esp wrt programming).  I got this
>	job by being the only non-COBOL 3GL knowledgable person on staff,
>	some luck, huh?  I can see two possible solutions:
>
>	1.  You already have a driver and use it with 4D and you will let
>	    me buy or have your code
>	   
>	2.  You will provide the format of the raw output data from 4D and 
>	    I will muddle through the source I now have.
>
>	In any case, if you know of any good information about writing a 
>	device driver, or some technical sources, please let me know.
>
>	Thank you all very much in advance.
>
>Chris Davis    cld@wucs1.wustl.edu    (preferred)
>	       chirs@csc1.prin.edu

Another solution is to put the printer on the serial (phone) line, if it 
understands RS232. From this point, you can just send direct control 
characters as well as string to the print, as if ti were a modem or the 
like. If this small needle smasher doesn't understand RS232, you're out of 
luck. writing a device driver is hard, and writing a printer driver is 
harder. Get prepared for some hard assembly.

-Christoph


Christoph P. Sold                   CATS Software GmbH
                                    Mussbacher Landstr.2
                                    W-6730 Neustadt (Weinstrasse)
ger.xse0035@applelink.apple.com     Germany

"If an apple is fun, what the heck is an appletree?"