Re: Checking for 132 column capability

Hi Charles,

Just one more consideration, in case you haven't already thought of it. There are actually TWO APIs for querying the 132 column mode:

a) QsnRtvMod tells you whether you're currently in 80 column or 132 column mode. (This is discussed in the Cozzi article that Ron points to.) There's also an API called QsnRtvScrDim() that tells you the same thing.

b) QsnQryModSup tells you whether the 5250 device supports (or does not support) 132 column mode -- as configured. (This information would also be available in QsnQry5250, as Crispin points out, but QsnQryModSup is easier to use, IMHO.)

For example, when you set up an emulator to allow 132 column mode, it typically allows BOTH 80 columns and 132 columns. In some displays, it shows 80 columns, and others show 132 columns.

QsnRtvMod would tell you which mode it's currently in... But just because it's currently in 80 column mode doesn't mean that the user has to change emulator settings, it only means that you haven't requested it to switch to 132 columns. QsnQtyModSup() will tell you if the emulator SUPPORTS 132 column mode -- if not, that's when the user has to change emulator settings.

What really bugs me is that I *know* I've written articles about both of these APIs, and I can't find them! Arrrgh. It's enough to make you want to chew your own foot off.



Wilt, Charles wrote:

All,
Working on a program that really requires a 132 column display.
So what I want to do is front end it with another program that checks to make sure the user is running
132 column display and if not provide a help screen that lists the steps needed to change the
emulations session settings.
Of the top of my head, one idea was to have the front end program use two display files, one 132
columns only and the other 80 columns. Both would be user open and the program would try to open the
132 column one first. If that fails, it would open the 80 column one which would have the help text.
I browsed thru the APIs, to see if there was a cleaner way to check but didn't see anything.
Anybody know of a better way?
Thanks,
Charles Wilt
Software Engineer

CINTAS Corporation - IT 92B

513.701.1307

wiltc@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:wiltc@xxxxxxxxxx>

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