RE: Overlays on a Report -- MIDRANGE-L

Okay everybody. I got this thing working, finally! I don't need to create an
IPDS printer. I just have to make the spool file an AFPDS devtype. Then I
can print to any laser printer.

-----Original Message-----
From: MacWheel99@aol.com [mailto:MacWheel99@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 11:34 AM
To: MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com
Subject: Re: Overlays on a Report


> Instead of using pre-printed forms, we put it print it all together on a
>  laser printer, like what several of the purchased products do (except we
>  don't want to spend the extra money for just one or two reports). This
>  report will be printed from several locations, so we want to use an
overlay
>  on the report. Being that I have only been in the RPG business for one
year,
>  I haven't experienced anything like this before. I think I know how this
is
>  done, but I wasn't positive. Thus why I asked.
>
>  Basically my question was, when I create the printer file, do I lay it
out
>  like I was going to be printing on pre-printed forms?

I do not use Overlays.
I never heard of them until your post, then people started explaining
Overlays & wow you learn something new every day on this list.
I address the issue of getting report to which printer from multiple
locations in general terms in another e-mail.
Here is topic of printer file & laying out the report.

When I create printer files for new reports, I do zero layout for the PRTF
I just create the object relying on system defaults, then use CHGPRTF to
spell out any exceptions if it is special forms other than standard
greenbar.
I do the layout in the RPG O-specifications.

There are some cases of programs that came to me with the layour in DDS &
which have heavy demands for modifications.  I created a CL with the CHGPRTF

instructions, which I run after recompiling modified DDS, just in case, and
it uses *LIBL because we have test library & production library & backup of
last version before latest modifications, also just in case testing missed
something.

I do not like layout in DDS because it is more difficult for me to read.
I have to look up keywords all the time because I forgot their nuances.
I have to look up indicators all the time because I forgot what they are
for.
But with RPG layout, I have been programming that way for decades so it is
plain as day what it all signifies.
I can write or change a line of code as naturally as I am communicating here

in English, but with DDS modifications I can only do it with the heavy DDS
manual open at my side.

Do we need to get into what's involved with RPG layouts?.
I believe there is a manual of sorts in the RPG style manual of
http://www.as400network.com/Forums/Forms/Options_Action.cfm?CFApp=54
(RPG Community)

MacWheel99@aol.com (Alister Wm Macintyre) (Al Mac)
AS/400 Data Manager & Programmer for BPCS 405 CD Rel-02 mixed mode (twinax
interactive & batch) @ http://www.cen-elec.com Central Industries of
Indiana--->Quality manufacturer of wire harnesses and electrical
sub-assemblies - fax # 812-424-6838

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