DISPRINT: display, print, and convert print files

Description

Shows a list of files in a library, with options to display the file, queue it to the printer, scratch it, or turn it into a Word Processing file.

Categories

System Operation
Disk Management
Word Processing
Conversion
Program Development

Related files

DISPRINT: Object file for utility.

DISPRINP: Demonstration procedure that shows the options available through the two hidden GETPARM screens.

DISPLAY: Files are displayed through the Wang DISPLAY utility.

COPYWP: Wang's COPYWP utility is used to convert the print file to a Word Processing document.

User Instructions

Primarily intended for personal print file management. The library and volume default to the user's spool library and volume. Shows the files in the library in disk order, the number of records, the date created, and any protection status. Fourteen entries are shown per screen; the next fourteen can be seen by pressing (RETURN).

The major functions of DISPRINT are as follows:

1. Display a file. Any file may be displayed by pressing the PF key corresponding to the entry; use the shifted PF key value to scratch the file. (CAUTION: be sure your shift lock is not on when attempting to display a file, as this will scratch it instead!) If you do not have access rights to the file, a 'P' (for 'protected') will show to the right of the create date; similarly, a 'U' indicates that the file's expiration date has not passed.

2. Send a file to the printer. To print a file, tab to the file name and press PF(15).

3. Convert a print file to a document. Print files can be converted to Word Processing files by tabbing to the entry and pressing PF(31) (shifted PF(15)). The file will be converted using the IMAGE option of COPYWP.

Programmer Instructions

Some adjustment of the user's usage constants may be necessary to make full use of DISPRINT. Since DISPRINT adds a new entry in the print queue, users with the print file usage constant of (H)old will see multiple entries for the same file in the print queue. For this reason, it is best to select the (K)eep option if using DISPRINT for print file management.

Two hidden GETPARM screens allow better system control of the utility's options.

OPTIONS     Optional; normally hidden.  Can only be
            controlled from a program or procedure.  Enter
            information and press (RETURN) to continue.

  ALLOWCHG  YES         Allows or disallows changes to the
                        library and volume by the user.

  ALLOWSCR  YES         Allows or disallows user to scratch
                        files.

  BYPASS    NO          Set to 'YES' to bypass the file's
                        expiration date on a scratch.

  PRTCLASS  (blank)     These items can be used to override
  FORM#     (blank)     the usage constants for the user.

PRINTLIB    Optional; normally hidden.  Can only be
            controlled from a program or procedure.  Enter
            data and press (RETURN) to continue.

  LIBRARY   (blank)     The library to be displayed.  Use to
  VOLUME    (blank)     override the usage constants for the
                        user.

  EXIT      YES         Exit DISPRINT after completion.

Example of use

Allows users to handle most of their print queue needs and also keep disk volumes clean. Can also provide a quick means of converting print files to Word Processing documents without having to understand the COPYWP utility and its options. Use the hidden GETPARMs described above to limit the options of users to appropriate levels.

Comments

An important tool for disk management. While designed for print files, may be used for any type of file management within a small library.

Files are listed in disk order, not alphabetically. This roughly corresponds with the order or their creation, but can confuse some users. Likewise, an explanation of the options should be provided, since there is little on-screen documentation.