Thread: Sending to printer

My print func() in my program isn't working properly. It asks for user input and then searches the file. When found, a function is called to set up the print format, then returns the format to print on printer. I tried using a separate function which is at the moment commented out. The func() seems to run all the way through because i get to key_wait, but nothing gets printed. Anybody have any ideas? The code is attached.

> FILE *printer = fopen("LPT1","w");
You dont check to see if this is NULL

And typically, to see anything printed, you have to finish off by sending a form feed

fprintf( printer, "\f" );

to flush the printer buffer onto the page.

Originally posted by Salem
> FILE *printer = fopen("LPT1","w");
You dont check to see if this is NULL

And typically, to see anything printed, you have to finish off by sending a form feed

fprintf( printer, "\f" );

to flush the printer buffer onto the page.

I tried making the changes you specified but now I'm recieving 7 errors. I don't think I have implemented these changes in the proper locations. I have tried several scenarios but still no luck. Could you take a look at the updated function and see if you know where I'm going wrong?
Thx in advance. Peace.

The start of print_label

Code:

//!!	FILE *printer = fopen("LPT1","w");
	FILE *printer;
	FILE *dta_file;
	char buf[BUFSIZ];
	int user_inputted_client_code;
	clrscr();
	printf("\t\t\tClient Inventory Management \n\n\n");
	printf("\tPrint Client Label \n\n");
	printf("Client Code: ");
	scanf("%d",&user_inputted_client_code);
	if((dta_file=fopen(FILENAME,"rb")) == NULL)
	{
		perror(FILENAME);
		return(1);
	}
//!!	if((FILE *printer = fopen("LPT1","w")) == NULL)
	if((printer = fopen("LPT1","w")) == NULL)
	{
//!!		perror(LPT1);
		perror("LPT1");
		return (1);
	}

Thx, stupid mistakes, but mistakes none the less!
The func() still won't print but I'm sure you already know that. My next question would be: in my while loop->

Code:

while( fgets(buf,BUFSIZ,dta_file) != NULL )
{
//	fprintf(printer,"printclient2(&another_client)",buf);
	fprintf(printer,"buf");
	fprintf(printer,"\f");
}
//fprintf(printer,"buf");
//fprintf(printer,"\f");
}

The first method I tried is now commented out for the time being: am I able to call the 'printclient2' func()/ do I need to? Should the other two commented(out) lines be inside the 'while' or outside?

Secondly I thought maybe since the structure should be found at this point, I should just use the 'fprintf' commands inside the 'while'?

Tried both and obviously I must be missing something or my code is in the wrong places. Any more suggestions?

The finished results I am trying to achieve, should look exactly like the screen print of the 'printclient2' func() except on paper.

Does it actually print anything at all?

Also try
int n = fprintf( printer, "buf" );
if ( n != 3 ) {
perror( "no dice" );
}

Originally posted by Salem
Does it actually print anything at all?

Also try
int n = fprintf( printer, "buf" );
if ( n != 3 ) {
perror( "no dice" );
}

No, it doesn't print anything. The print controls don't show up or anything.
Where would I put the suggested 'if' statement?

Originally posted by Shadow
Spentdome, OT question:
Out of curiousity, why do you suddenly put everything you say in quote tags?

Because out of the questions I've previously asked, people kept *****'in about me not using quote or code tags. Is it a problem?

Originally posted by Hammer
Is your printer connected to the parallel, serial or USB port?

No, I double checked that cause I thought the same thing, but it is 'LPT1".

I can't figure out why it won't work? Do you see anything wrong with what I have? Am I missing something obvious?

No quote tags 'Shadow', now you can relax.

You could try approaching the problem from a different angle

Code:

D:\code>print /?
Prints a text file.

PRINT [/D:device] [[drive:][path]filename[...]]

   /D:device   Specifies a print device.

Now the print command can be used to print a text file. Rather than changing your program, I would suggest some experiments with the print command to see if you can actually print anything.

Something else to look at
> if((printer = fopen("LPT1","w")) == NULL)
Do you have a file called "LPT1" in your directory?