Printer 'share name'

[Bill Parker]

The output from ui_printers_get() can be used as a pick list when printing a report to a file, but not when copying that file to the printer. sys_print() can't be used since the file contains printer control codes.

I print a report to a file with
report.Output_File_Override("..")
report.Printer_override("..")
report.print(...)

At a later time I want to copy the file to the printer. This has been a challenge.

For a locally attached, or network, USB printer
myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp7350"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",myprinter)
= 0 - works fine

HOWEVER, 'hp7350' is a share name, not what is reported by ui_printers_get().

A shortened version of my testing is

?ui_printers_get()
= Zebra  TLP2742 on COM1:
HP LaserJet 5MP on LPT1: 
\\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02: 

myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02:"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",myprinter)
ERROR: Alias required

myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",myprinter)
ERROR: The network path was not found.
 \\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02

myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",myprinter)
ERROR: The network path was not found.
 \\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series

myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",quote(myprinter))
ERROR: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
 ""+chr(92)+chr(92)+"BLACK30\hp photosmart 7350 series on Ne02"

myprinter = "\\BLACK30\hp7350"
?file.copy("d:\test.txt",myprinter)
= 0 - worked, but how to get this name?

I also have issues with local lpt1, but let's save that for later.

Bill.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Printer 'share name'

Looks like file.machines_get() with the appropriate parameters might work. I'm experimenting with it now but is exceedingly slow on the large network to which I am connected.

? ui_printers_get()
= Text Driver on RTF:
RTF Driver on RTF:
PDF995 on Ne00:
PDF Driver on PDF
HTML Driver on HTM:
HP DeskJet 882C on LPT1:
HP Color LaserJet 8550 PCL on Ne01:
[COLOR="Red"]\\ACNIELSEN\HP LaserJet 4300 PS on Ne02:[/COLOR]


? file.machines_get("P")
= \\NTDELLHOST\LexmarkT522
\\NTDELLHOST\HPDeskJe
\\ACNIELSEN\[COLOR="red"]HPLaserJ - acnielsen[/COLOR] -share name as revealed by windows
\\BGAD02\FieryX3e
\\BGAD02\Payroll Printer PS
\\BGAD02\HPLaserJet 4250
\\BGAD02\IS Dept 8550 PS
\\BGAD02\Payroll Printer PCL5c
\\BGAD02\HP LaserJet 4250
\\BGAD02\IS Dept 8550 PCL5c
\\BGFS01\KyoceraM
\\BGVMS01\KyoceraM
\\BKRAUSEN\XeroxPha
\\BVARGO\FM4602 (Label)
\\CBEYKE\XeroxPha
\\DZEGHERS\HPColorLaserJet
\\FARNDELL\hpdeskjet
\\JPEARSON\hpLaserJet
\\MARKETING\HPDesignjet500
\\MIKEWHEELER\MWHPOffice
\\PDIPRINTER\P1
\\PDIPRINTER\P2
\\RECEIVINGCLERK\4602LABE
\\RETAILELEC\HPLaserJet
\\RETAILELEC\HP1200
\\RETAILELEC\Printer4
\\RETAILELEC\Printer
\\RFHOST1\4602LABE
\\RREEVES\Phaser8400
\\RWILLIAMS\HPLaserJet
\\SGROOMS\hpdeskjet6122
\\STWEEDY1\HPLaserJet
\\STWEEDY1\hp1150
\\STWEEDY1\MITA
\\WSCOTT\HPOfficeJet

[Bill Parker]

Re: Printer 'share name'

Thanks, that does it. I had tried various parameter combinations for that command before, but my head must have been in a different place. This does give the share name. The format options do not seem to do anything when used with (P)rinters, so I can't match the share name with the full name.

This will be a little tougher on the user because they will need to pick the printer from ui_printers_get() for use with report.print, and pick the same printer again from file.machines_get() for use when copying the files. at least they only need to do this once when setting up the app.

Bill.