RE: cpsplf *fcfc -- MIDRANGE-L

OK.  I guess I've just been lucky all of these years when I've used *FCFC
that all the spool files have been non-external.  I have used *FCFC when the
file I am CPYSPLFing will eventually be copied back to a print file (*FCFC
is required when copying from a data file to a printer file like QPRINT).
Still doesn't seem right, though.  Have you tried using *FCFC on an external
print file?  (Maybe the docs are wrong.)

Nevertheless, *PRTCTL should give you all the information you need for your
purposes.

SPLTOOL?  What is it, $179?  Heck, doesn't Sharper Image sell pens more
expensive than that? ;-)

But I agree with you on the thrill of reinventing something "in your own
image".  I've got a couple of ideas running right now and am shopping for
AS/400 timeshare to keep from running into the ownership issues that have
been conveniently debated in this very list for the past several days.

I wanna be rich like Brad!  

- Dan Bale

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Fritz [SMTP:JFritz@sharperimage.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 5:37 PM
> To:   'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject:      RE: cpsplf *fcfc
> 
> Actually, the HTML part is easy, depending on the degree of formatting.
> For
> presenting reports pretty much as they appear on paper, you have to insert
> a
> minimal set of tags.  The underlining will appear (we've done that
> already)
> although not as nicely as true underlining. The problem (not an issue yet
> for us) is externally defined print files.
> 
> If you look in the CL Reference Manual, you'll see the following:
> 
> " FCFC:  The first character of every record contains an American National
> Standards Institute (ANSI) forms control character.  If *FCFC is
> specified,
> the record length must include one extra position for the first-character
> forms-control code.  This value is not valid for externally described
> printer files. " 
> 
> BTW, SPLTOOL is a neat product.  I've used it and like it.  Selling
> management on it is a different issue.  (I know, it's not real expensive.)
> There's also the perverse satisfaction that comes from reinventing the
> wheel.  (Mine is going to have unique wheel covers and iridescent tires.
> <g>)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bale, Dan [mailto:DBale@lear.com]
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 1:11 PM
> To: 'MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com'
> Subject: RE: cpsplf *fcfc
> 
> 
> Under what context was the statement "*fcfc is not valid for externally
> described printer files" made?  
> 
> If I'm understanding your post correctly, you want your HTML output to
> have
> the appropriate tags for underlining just like they appear in the printed
> output?  WYSIWYG?  If this is what you're trying to do, you've got a LOT
> of
> work ahead of you.  It's not just a simple matter of doing a CPYSPLF to a
> database file to a PC file with inserted HTML tags.  You will definately
> need the *FCFC output to insert the appropriate HTML tags for underlining
> and boldfacing.
> 
> Of course, you could save yourself a lot of time & aggravation and get an
> instant solution in Brad Stone's SPLTOOL product.
> 
> hth,
> - Dan Bale
+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---