Did you ever have the need for more than eight printer files in an RPG program? If so, you probably learned that you are limited to a maximum of eight. So, what to do?
Here is a solution. Create a disk file of a length equal to the maximum required printer output line length, plus six (e.g., a 132-column printer file will have a disk file length of 138 bytes).
Code your program to output your formatted print data to this disk file instead of a printer file. For each line, place the printer control values for space before, space after, skip before and skip after in the extra six bytes of this disk file. Simply code these as literals in the output specs.
For example, if your printer file statements are as shown in 6a, on page 66, then your disk file statements will be as shown in 6b, on page 70.
For example, if your printer file statements are as shown in Figure 6a, on page 66, then your disk file statements will be as shown in Figure 6b, on page 70.
If the printer file in this example had a skip after value, then that value would have replaced the two blank bytes in positions 137-138 in the disk file.
Your next step is to write a short RPG program like the one below to read this disk file and print each line. But how can you control the line spacing? Easily. Just use the PRTCTL option by specifying it as a continuation line on the printer file F-spec and include the LINE data structure as shown in 7, on page 70.
Your next step is to write a short RPG program like the one below to read this disk file and print each line. But how can you control the line spacing? Easily. Just use the PRTCTL option by specifying it as a continuation line on the printer file F-spec and include the LINE data structure as shown in Figure 7, on page 70.
Each time you read a record of your disk file, move the spacing and skipping control values from the last six bytes of the record into the data structure fields. Use one output line with no spacing or skipping control values, since the PRTCTL option will take care of this for you.
There you have it. Your printed output should look exactly as it would have printed in the original program.
Editor's Note: When you write any numeric variables to DISKFILE, be sure not to pack them (leave column 44 blank). You should act as though you're writing directly to the PRINTER file. This means that you should also use edit codes or edit words if appropriate.
TechTalk: More Than Eight PRINTER Files in RPG!
Figure 6A Printer file statement
Figure 6a: Printer File Statement OQSYSPRT E 1201 PRINT O FIELD1 12 O FIELD2 37 O FIELD3 59 O 110 'Literal 1'
TechTalk: More Than Eight PRINTER Files in RPG!
Figure 6B Disk file statement
Figure 6b: Disk File Statement ODISKFILEE PRINT O FIELD1 12 O FIELD2 37 O FIELD3 59 O 110 'Literal 1' O 138 '1201'
TechTalk: More Than Eight PRINTER Files in RPG!
Figure 7 RPG program using PRTCTL
Figure 7: RPG Program Using PRTCTL FDISKFILEIF F 138 DISK FQSYSPRT O F 132 PRINTER KPRTCTLLINE * IDISKFILENS I 1 132 DATA I 133 133 SBF I 134 134 SAF I 135 136 SKBF I 137 138 SKAF * ILINE DS I 1 1 SPBEFR I 2 2 SPAFTR I 3 4 SKBEFR I 5 6 SKAFTR I 7 90CURLIN * C *INLR DOUEQ '1' C READ DISKFILE LR C *INLR IFEQ '0' C MOVE SBF SPBEFR C MOVE SAF SPAFTR C MOVE SKBF SKBEFR C MOVE SKAF SKAFTR C EXCPTPRINT C END C END * OQSYSPRT E PRINT O DATA 132
More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.
TRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now! Request Now.
Forms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.
Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:
Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.
IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn:
LATEST COMMENTS
MC Press Online