Re: Converting a *USERASCII spooled file (containing PCL) into a PDF file in the IFS

Hi Richard


I see that I posted something in these lists in 2016 about using CPYSPLF with the TOSTMF parameter -


Since 7.1 of the OS, if you do not set the WSCST parameter, it will copy contents of either *AFPDS or *USERASCII.

CPYSPLF FILE(YOURUSSPLF)
TOFILE(*TOSTMF)
TOSTMF('/path/to/stream/file.ext')
STMFOPT(*REPLACE)


Ghostscript could then convert that from PCL to PDF, it seems.

Thanks
Vern


On Tue, 12 Nov, 2024 at 9:59 AM, Richard Schoen <richard@richardschoennet> wrote:


To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

GhostScript is indeed available via the IBM Open Source Package Management.

Looks like V9.52.

Regards,
Richard Schoen
Web: http://www.richardschoen.net
Email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
------------------------------

message: 6
date: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:11:01 -0800
from: VERNON HAMBERG Owner via MIDRANGE-L
<midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
subject: Re: Converting a *USERASCII spooled file (containing PCL)
into a PDF file in the IFS

We used to use Ghostscript to convert from PDF to PCL. That utility can do the opposite. I do not know if Ghostscript is available through the package support on the i. I do see that it might be available on the PERZL site - there is a thread in the IBMiOSS list on midrange.com<http://midrange.com> - https://archive.midrange.com/opensource/201609/msg00058.html is one of the emails, turns out to or from me. This was probably using the previous OpenSource support - someone else, Jack Woehr, maybe, can give better help these days.


I do have to ask, could the original spooled file be created as *SCS or *IPDS or *AFPDS? Then CPYSPLF can be used to directly convert the SPLF to a PDF file. We do that all the time here, including with SPLF that have overlays or page segments or bar codes or other graphical elements.

I used to work at a company almost 30 years ago that wrote documents to *USERASCII with PCL code - excuse me if I say that this feels like a very old technique, better replaced with newer ways - but I am not in Juan's shop.

Regards
Vern

On Mon, 11 Nov, 2024 at 12:54 PM, Patrik Schindler <poc@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:poc@xxxxxxxxxx>> wrote: