RE: Softcoding Print-file attributes

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Since this implementation I mentioned delivered the generated RTF document
to the client via email then the issue of printing was not an issue, which
was very convenient.

However, although we have not yet had the requirement to print such
documents on printers attached to our own network, the proposed solution
would provide the client with an option to run a PC command through Client
Access that would invoke an PC executable, ideally MS Word, that would
achieve the print function at the client's discretion. Obviously, some
installations may have secuurity issues with providing such a function.

Providing a similar automated solution might be possible by having a Client
Access session that acted as a server to invoke the print function.

Other alternatives to be considered could be providing access to the IFS
directory via Windows Explorer or a web page that enabled a browser to
request the documents.

Cheers, Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil [mailto:sublime78ska@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2001 4:47 AM
To: rpg400-l@midrange.com
Subject: RE: Softcoding Print-file attributes


Sounds like Peter already did it.

Phil

-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-admin@midrange.com [mailto:rpg400-l-admin@midrange.com]On
Behalf Of Leland, David
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 11:47 AM
To: 'rpg400-l@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: Softcoding Print-file attributes


I agree.  This would be a terrific thing to have!  Would make a great
replacement for Text Management with embedded data fields.  Anyone want to
take on the challenge of writing an AS/400 (C, RPG or Cobol) program to
print RTF files (stored in IFS directories) to AS/400 attached printers.

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher A. Libby [mailto:clibby@mainepublicservice.com]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 10:33 AM
To: rpg400-l@midrange.com
Subject: RE: Softcoding Print-file attributes


Well, this could work.  However, the majority of the users printing the
letters are PC illeterate.  If we could follow the method below and then
print it from the user's printer, this would be acceptable.

-Chris


---------------------------------------------------------
Christopher A. Libby, Programmer/Analyst
Maine Public Service Company (www.mainepublicservice.com)
clibby@mainepublicservice.com (207) 768-5811 ext. 2210


-----Original Message-----
From: rpg400-l-admin@midrange.com [mailto:rpg400-l-admin@midrange.com]On
Behalf Of Peter Connell
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 5:01 PM
To: 'rpg400-l@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: Softcoding Print-file attributes


Libby,
We had an analogous problem where the client required an Office type
document that contained elements whose value must be retrieved from standard
DB2/400 database files. We developed a more comprehensive solution as
follows.

The client supplied an MS Word template document in RTF format where the any
fields that must be dynamically assigned were enclosed in brackets preceded
with a dollar sign, eg $(FLDNAM), and any repetitive blocks within the
document were separated by a line that uniquely labelled the block using a
similar syntax but with square brackets $[LABEL1]. This document was stored
in an IFS directory.

Since an the RTF format is humanly readable, including the formatting
protocol, then it is possible to write an RPGLE program that can read the
template directly from the IFS,  processing each block within the document
as it goes. The content read is written out to a new file in the IFS with an
RTF extension replacing fields named $(FLDNAME) on the way. Lines such as
database transactions would be identified by a $[LABEL] block so the these
would be processed in a loop function.

The new RTF document can then be printed on a compatible printer or emailed
in our case. We used this method to produce both summary reports and
statements.

Creating a service program of procedures to handle the I/O for the RTF
template in the IFS meant that the method can be generic and easily deployed
among different business applications where the client can determine the
presentation of the Office document and the developer merely develops the
code to populate the document.

Cheers, Peter


-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher A. Libby [mailto:clibby@mainepublicservice.com]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 12:47 AM
To: RPG400-L@midrange. com
Subject: Softcoding Print-file attributes


We're looking at a quick and dirty replacement for our Office documents we
use to send information to our customers (disconnect letters, etc.).  Here
is what we are planning: Print the office document, then use CPYSPLF to
covert from stream to a database member.  We have a RPG program which will
read the database member in, use a replace function to fill in keywords such
as %date%, then output to a printer file.  We then would use a CL to
override the RPG to a specific database member for whatever letter we want
to produce.

The one problem we seem to be running into is that certain letters have
attributes such a bold or underline, which we are legally required to format
this way.  Is there a way I can 'softcode' bold or underline starts and ends
directly into my database member, or create a replace function to change
'%BOLD%' to the boldface code?

Thanks for your help!

-Chris

---------------------------------------------------------
Christopher A. Libby, Programmer/Analyst
Maine Public Service Company (www.mainepublicservice.com)
clibby@mainepublicservice.com (207) 768-5811 ext. 2210




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This communication is confidential and may be legally privileged.
If it is not addressed to you, you are on notice of its status.
Please immediately contact us at our cost and destroy it.
Please do not use, disclose, copy, distribute or retain any of it
without our authority - to do so could be a breach of confidence.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Please contact us on (09) 356 5800 if you need assistance.