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PC-SIG Diskette Library (Disk #2518)
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ARCE.DOC
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Purpose: Use ARCE to extract files from an ARC archive file.
Format:
ARCE [d:][path]filename.ext [filespecs...] [d:outpath]
[/R]
[/Q]
[/P]
[/T]
| [/5]
[/Gpassword]
Remarks:
The drive and path names are optional. If omitted, the current
drive and path name is used.
The filename must be supplied. The extension defaults to ARC.
All files matching the supplied filename are processed. The ARC
filename may contain the * and ? wildcard characters.
If no filespecs are supplied, all files are extracted.
Otherwise, only those ARC members which match one of the up to
16 filespecs are extracted.
The extracted files may be placed on another drive, and/or in
another subdirectory by following the optional filespecs with a
drive designator and/or path name.
If the file being extracted already exists, you are asked
whether or not you want to over-write it. You may use the | /R
option to bypass this prompt. Use a Y followed by the | return
key to over-write the file.
Use the /Q option to suppress alarm sounds, beeps, and bells.
Use the /P option to write the extracted files to the DOS
standard output file. With /P, you may pipe or redirect the
output. An initial line feed is added to the beginning of the
output file.
Use the /T option to test the archive's integrity. No files will
be extracted.
If the file was encrypted, use the /G option to supply the same
password as was used to create the file, e.g. /GSECRET.
| Use the /5 option to stop ARCE from creating the subdirectories
| for files created with the ARC /Z subdirectory option.
ARCE 4.0c, Copyright (c) 1986-89, Wayne Chin and Vernon D. Buerg.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Examples
--------
o Extract all file from TEST.ARC onto the current drive:
ARCE TEST
o Extract only file with an extension of .ASM from the archive
SOURCE.ARC on drive B and in subdirectory SAVE:
ARCE B:\SAVE\SOURCE *.ASM
o Extract all files from all ARC files in the subdirectory
called TEST on drive C:
ARCE C:\TEST\*
o Extract all files from PROGA.ARC and place the files in
subdirectory OLD on drive B:
ARCE PROGA.ARC B:\OLD
o Extract all files with an extension of .COM and .EXE from the
archive PROGS.ARC in directory NEW\WORK on drive B, and place
the them in subdirectory SAVE\TEST on drive A; replace
existing file:
ARCE B:\NEW\WORK\PROGS *.COM *.EXE A:\SAVE\TEST /R
o Extract the file READ.ME from the archive GIZMO.ARC and
display it on the console instead of writing it to a file:
ARCE GIZMO READ.ME /P
o Same as above, except pass the extracted READ.ME file to the
LIST file viewer:
ARCE GIZMO READ.ME /P | LIST /S
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Error Messages
--------------
'filename - premature EOF reading '
Data is missing from the archive file. The program is
terminated.
'filename - unable to set file datestamp'
The file datestamp is set to the current date and time, and the
next archive member is processed.
'filename - WARNING: file CRC does not match!'
The extracted member is left on the output disk, and the next
archive member is processed. The file is probably invalid but
is left on the disk for your examination.
'Invalid filespec(s)'
The filespec syntax is incorrect. The filename part may be from
1 to eight characters, and may include the ? or * wildcard
characters. The extension may be none to three characters, and
may include wildcards. There is a maximum of 16 filespecs
allowed. The program terminates.
'filename - file already exists. Overwrite it? (y/N) '
The member being extracted already exists. If you are using a
data path utility, the file may not actually be in the
subdirectory be used for output. Respond with the letter Y to
over-write the existing file, or respond with the letter N to
skip this member and continue to the next.
'Abort: Stack overflow'
The member being extracted has invalid data. The program is
terminated.
'filename - invalid decode tree count'
The member being extracted has invalid data. The program is
terminated.
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Error Messages (cont'd)
--------------
'filename - new archive format 7 not yet supported'
Format 7 is a special file compression method used internally by
SEA, the authors of ARC. Processing continues with the next
archive member.
'Unable to open archive > arcname'
The specified ARC archive file was not found, or was
inaccessible. The program terminates.
'CREATE failed > filename'
There was insufficient directory space, or a failure accessing
the output disk. The program terminates.
'Invalid archive format!'
The archive file data is invalid. The program terminates.
'Incorrect DOS version'
Version 2.0 or later of PC DOS must be used. The program
terminates
'Not enough memory.'
A minimum of 112k bytes of memory is required. The program
terminates.
'I/O error reading from arcname'
An incorrectable error occurred attempting to read data from the
archive file. The program terminates.
'I/O error writing or disk full > filename'
There was not enough disk space to write the complete archive
member. The partially extracted file is scratched and the
program terminates.
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Error Messages (cont'd)
--------------
'No matching file(s) found'
No archive files were found that matched the supplied filename
specifications. The program terminates.
'filename - ERROR: invalid file codes'
An error was detected while attempting to decode a crunched
file. Either some data bytes are invalid, there are extra
bytes, or there are bytes missing. The archive is invalid.
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Version history
---------------
1.1 - 1/13/86 -initial release
2.00, 04/08/86 - fine tuning of I/O buffering
2.01-2.05, 4-20 thru 9/9/86
- improve unsq, correct disk full message
2.06, 9/17/86 - release from testing
2.07, from 9/19 - not released
2.08, 12/31/86 - added /P, /Q; fixed /R with redirection
2.09, 1/5/87 - correct closing of output if /P used; require return
(enter key) for over-write prompt
- add more validity checking of member headers
2.10, 1/6/87 - correct use out output file specification
2.11, 1/24/87 - some cosmetics, wrong banner version and date
3.0a, 3/16/87 - added /G for password encryption
- added /T for integrity checking only
- correct loop in command line parsing
- internal optimization
- make intergity checking more robust
3.0c, 3/23/87 - improve extracting with file selection
- minor fixes and cosmetic changes
3.0d, 3/29/87 - correction to unsqueeze
3.0e, 4/02/87 - correct loop with invalid archives
- insure errorlevel non-zero if any errors
- correct loop in command line processing
3.0f, 5/31/87 - correct false 'disk full' error message when
using /p (piping) option
- correct failure to extract all files from a
garbled (/g) archive
3.1a, 9/10/87 - cosmetic changes
3.1b, 9/16/87 - unsquashing version released
3.1c, 2/06/88 - lessen memory requirement to 50k
| 4.0a, 2/06/89 - add subdirectory support via /Z option
| 4.0b, 2/28/89 - change meaning of /Z to /5;
| correct name used for /Z output directories
| 4.0c, 3/03/89 - correct mkdir error without /5
ARCE Command Version 4.0c
------------ Mar 3, 1989
Notices
-------
ARCE (c) Copyright 1986-1989 by Wayne Chin and Vernon D. Buerg
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ARCE is free, but it is a copyrighted work and may be distributed only
pursuant to this license.
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and disseminate ARCE so long
as:
(1) No remuneration of any kind is received in exchange; and
(2) Distribution is without ANY modification to the contents of
ARCE.COM and all accompanying documentation and/or support
files, including the copyright notice and this license.
No copy of ARCE may be distributed without including a copy of this
license.
Any other use is prohibited without express, written permission in
advance.
Vernon D. Buerg
139 White Oak Circle
Petaluma, CA 94952
CompuServe: 70007,1212
Data/BBS: 707-778-8944
707-778-8841
For use by corporations, institutions, or for profit, contact
System Enhancement Associates for licensing information.
System Enhancement Associates
21 New Street
Wayne, NJ 07470
FILE2518.TXT
Disk No: 2518
Disk Title: PrintSelector
PC-SIG Version: S1
Program Title: PRINT SELECTOR
Author Version: 05/90
Author Registration: $25.00
Special Requirements: Hard drive.
With the many different fonts, type sizes, and print attributes most
printers support, why are you using that same old default typeface?
PRINTSELECTOR is a printer control program the lets you select printer
options (character set/size, margins, page lengths, etc.) either from
easy-to-use menus or by embedding printer codes inside your documents.
By embedding printer codes within documents you can expand the
capabilities of word processors, spreadsheets, accounting programs, or
any program that creates its output as a file. This lets you add bold
type or underline -- anywhere on a document -- as long as your printer
supports it.
PRINTSELECTOR comes with printer information installed for a large
number of standard printers and has a menu driven program that lets you
easily customize it for any printer. Standard printers included are
Citizen, Epson, HP Laser/DeskJet, Okidata, NEC, Star, and Toshiba.
PC-SIG
1030D East Duane Avenue
Sunnyvale Ca. 94086
(408) 730-9291
(c) Copyright 1989-1991 PC-SIG, Inc.
GO.TXT
╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ <<<< DISK #2518 PRINTSELECTOR >>>> ║
╠═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ To unarchive the files to your hard drive. First make a subdirectory, ║
║ then type; ARCE *.AR X:\SUBDIR (where X:\SUBDIR is your drive and ║
║ the subdirectory you created) ║
║ ║
║ Once the files have been unarchived. ║
║ To print instructions, type: COPY READ1ST.DOC PRN ║
║ ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
(c) Copyright 1991, PC-SIG Inc.
MANUAL.DOC
PRINTSELECTOR
USER'S MANUAL
LICENSE
The PRINTSELECTOR software package and this manual are
protected by United States Copyright Law. This shareware distri-
bution copy is meant for demonstration use only. It may be
freely distributed by electronic or magnetic media. HOWEVER IT
IS ONLY MEANT FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES. ANY CONTINUED USE IS
STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
No telephone or mail support is provided for non-registered
users.
A single use license and the most recent version of PRINTSE-
LECTOR will be sent when you become a registered user.
You may register your PRINTSELECTOR program by sending
$25.00 + $4.00 shipping and handling to:
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
California Residents must include $1.69 state sales tax.
Registration from outside the United States must include $10.00
Shipping and handling. Checks must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a
U.S bank. You may send currency at your own risk.
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
(818) 882 8451
WARRANTY:
BROOK KING SYSTEMS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES EX-
PRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PURPOSE TO
WHICH THE PRODUCT IS APPLIED AND ANY DAMAGE THAT MAY RESULT TO
EQUIPMENT OR DATA THROUGH THE USE OF THE PRODUCT.
Trademarks:
Within this manual references are made to several excellent
products:
Wordstar is a trademark of MicroPro Inc.
The Word is a trademark of Microsoft Inc.
MSDOS is a trademark of Microsoft Inc.
Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark of the Lotus Development Co.
Supercalc is a trademark of Sorcim Corp.
dBase II and dBase III are trademarks of Ashton Tate Inc.
Printselector is a trademark of Brook King Systems
COPYRIGHT
Manual and software copyright 1990 Brook King Systems:
Brook King Systems
10064 -7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, Ca., 91311
(818) 882 8451
IMPORTANT NOTICE
(very important to the program author)
PRINTSELECTOR IS A SHAREWARE PRODUCT. IT IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE.
COPYRIGHTS FOR PRINTSELECTOR PROGRAMS AND MANUALS ARE OWNED BY
BROOK KING SYSTEMS.
THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF PRINTSELECTOR IS DISTRIBUTED FREELY AS A
DEMONSTRATION COPY ONLY. EVEN IF YOU PAID SOMEONE OTHER THAN
BROOK KING SYSTEMS FOR YOUR SHAREWARE COPY, YOU MUST OBTAIN A
REGISTERED COPY IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE THE PROGRAM. A REGISTERED
COPY CAN BE OBTAINED BY SENDING $25.00 + $4.00 SHIPPING AND
HANDLING TO
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS MUST INCLUDE $1.69 STATE SALES TAX.
REGISTRATION FORM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES MUST INCLUDE $10.00
SHIPPING AND HANDLING. (RATHER THAN THE $4.00 FROM INSIDE THE
UNITED STATES). CHECKS MUST BE IN U.S. DOLLARS DRAWN ON A U.S
BANK. YOU MAY SEND CURRENCY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
We worked hard to make this a good program and we'll contin-
ue to improve it. Please don't rip us off. Register your copy!
Thanks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO PRINTSELECTOR 1
1.1 What is Printselector? 1
1.2 How does PRINTSELECTOR work? 2
1.3 Using PRINTSELECTOR to control your CRT 4
1.4 Getting started and using this Manual 4
CHAPTER 2: PRINTSELECTOR INSTALLATION 5
2.1 Working Directory or Disks 5
2.2 Required Archive Files 5
2.3 Installation for hard disk systems 7
2.4 Installation for floppy disk systems 8
CHAPTER 3: USING PRINTMEN IN THE MENU MODE TO CONTROL YOUR
PRINTER 11
3.1 Starting PRINTMEN 11
3.2 Using PRINTMEN 12
3.3 Exiting PRINTMEN 14
3.4 Saving and automatically using a printer
configuration 16
3.5 Using PRINTMEN to control your CRT screen 17
CHAPTER 4: MAKING YOUR OWN PRINTER OVERLAY FILES 19
4.1 Introduction 19
4.2 Screen and overlay file formats 20
4.3 Entering Data 27
4.4 Creating an overlay file for the first time 28
4.5 Editing overlay files 30
4.6 Displaying an overlay file 35
4.7 Backup Files 36
CHAPTER 5: USING THE INSERTION MODE TO PLACE PRINTER CONTROL
COMMANDS IN A DOCUMENT 37
5.1 Introduction 37
5.2 Generating a source file 37
5.3 Using the SETTEMP program 38
5.4 Using the PRINTIT program 39
5.5 Standard Template Files 43
5.6 Using PRINTSELECTOR'S Insertion Mode with
Application Programs 43
CHAPTER 6: MAKING A TEMPLATE FILE USING MAKETEMP 47
6.1 Introduction 47
6.2 Invoking MAKETEMP to edit or create a
template file 47
6.3 Creating new template and description files 49
6.4 Editing template and description files with
the MAKETEMP program 54
APPENDIX A: DATA FILE FORMATS 60
A.1 Format of Overlay files 62
A.2 Format of Template files 63
APPENDIX B: HEXADECIMAL ARITHMETIC 66
APPENDIX C: USE OF THE TRANSL UTILITY 69
CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO PRINTSELECTOR
1.1 What is Printselector?
PRINTSELECTOR is a set of five programs designed to give you
greater control of your printer. It has two modes of operation.
The first is the "menu mode" using the program PRINTMEN. In this
mode, a menu of printer options is placed on your CRT screen.
Selections from this menu are passed to your printer. For in-
stance, if you should want all letters printed at twice their
normal size, you could simply run the PRINTMEN program and select
the "double width option" that is available from most dot matrix
printers. Other common PRINTMEN options are:
print size
fonts
bold or double strike printing
amount of space between lines
amount of space between characters
horizontal tab positions
letter quality
right and left margin positions
The exact options available depend on the capability of your
printer.
The second PRINTSELECTOR mode is the "insertion mode." It
allows you to insert special printer control commands in the
middle of any document. In this mode of operation a special
sequence of characters will be translated into printer commands.
The special sequence is called a "key code." A key code contains
three characters. The first two characters are #& and the third
character is chosen by you to represent the printer commands that
you wish to insert. As an example if you wanted to print a
phrase double size, you could begin it with the key code "#&D "
(to start double width printing) and end it with the key code
"#&N" (to return to normal printing width) , i.e.
#&Dthis phrase is printed at double width#&N
1
A file called the template file contains the table that
translates "key codes" to their assigned printer commands.
The insertion mode may be implemented by either the program
SETTEMP or the program PRINTIT. SETTEMP is a memory resident
program that monitors everything your computer sends to its
printer. When SETTEMP detects a key code sequence it automati-
cally replaces it with the printer control commands specified by
the resident template file.
PRINTIT is not a memory resident program. It must be called
separately. When it is called, PRINTIT reads the original file
and generates a new file with the print commands replacing the
"key codes". This new file (called a "PRN" file) is then sent
to your printer and a copy is saved.
In the insertion mode you may turn on and off all the func-
tions that are selectable by the PRINTMEN program as well as
inserting special types of characters (such as Greek or special
mathematical symbols).
A very special capability of PRINTSELECTOR is that it allows
you to define your own printer menus and "key codes". You can
start from scratch or modify the prototypes that are included.
Using the "make" features of the PRINTSELECTOR package you can
customize your printer commands to your own needs and if neces-
sary adapt PRINTSELECTOR to new or different printer versions.
The program MAKEMENU creates or modifies "over lay files"
that define menus and the program MAKETEMP creates or modifies
the template files that assign printer control functions to key
codes. Both programs are menu driven and very easy to use.
1.2 How does PRINTSELECTOR work?
Printers are usually controlled by "escape sequences" that
are sent by the controlling computer. The logic behind the name
is that most of these sequences are preceded by a nonprintable
computer character called "escape." Most application programs
2
such as word processors and spread sheets generate special print-
er functions by sending these "escape sequences." Different
printers require different control sequences. Even printers
that emulate "standard" printers such as Epson or IBM have fea-
tures that are not available when in the emulation mode.
PRINTSELECTOR programs generate the "escape sequences"
needed by your printer. In the menu mode these escape sequences
and the menus that select them are stored in "overlay files."
Overlay files can be identified by the extension (the part of the
file name after the period) ".OVL". For instance EPS286E.OVL is
the overlay file for controlling an EPSON 286e printer.
In the insertion mode, "key codes" have corresponding escape
sequences that are stored in "template files". The template
files can be identified by the extension ".TMP". Template files
are used by both the SETTEMP and PRINTIT programs. SETTEMP
intercepts "key codes" as they are sent to the printer. PRINTIT
generates a new file with the escape sequences replacing the "key
codes". This new file is referred to as a "PRN" file. It will
have the same name as the original source file except that origi-
nal program's extension field will be replaced by the ".PRN"
extension.
Template file can be customized for your application by
using the menu driven MAKETEMP pro gram. This program in turn
also uses the overlay files that are used by the menu program.
Besides generating a template file, the MAKETEMP program
generates a "description file" that provides a description of the
functions performed by the template file's key codes. If MAKE-
TEMP is used to generate the template file: TEMPLATE.TMP, the
corresponding description file will have the name TEMPLATE.DIS.
To get you started we have provided overlay and template
files for many popular printers. In fact these programs may be
all that you ever need to use. However, don't be intimidated by
the prospect of having to make up your own control programs.
It's easy!
A good deal of effort has gone into simplifying the develop-
ment of customized control files. Everything is menu driven and
easy to understand.
3
1.3 Using PRINTSELECTOR to control your CRT
While PRINTSELECTOR has been designed primarily to control
printers, it can also direct customized escape sequences to other
computer peripherals. In particular, the MS DOS driver ANSI.SYS
accepts escape sequences directed to the CRT (the logical unit
CON: - this will be discussed later). When this driver is in-
stalled PRINTMEN can be used to set such screen control functions
as:
foreground color
background color
resolution
number of lines per screen
redefine key functions
enable and disable automatic word wrap.
Overlay and Template files have been provided for EGA and
CGA graphics cards. The use of these files and the proper in-
stallation of ANSI.SYS are described in chapter 3.
Further template files can be used to place these functions
in files that are to be displayed on the screen. By specifying
other logical units and by developing custom menus and screens,
control sequences can be sent to other peripheral elements such
as custom Input Output devices or Modems.
1.4 Getting started and using this Manual
The first thing to do is to install the PRINTSELECTOR pro-
grams. This simple procedure is described in chapter 2. If
overlay and template files are already available for your printer
you can use PRINTSELECTOR right away.
The use of the PRINTSELECTOR menu mode is described in
detail in chapter 3 while chapter 4 describes how to make your
own menus. The insertion mode is described in chapter 5 and
chapter 6 describes how to make your own template files.
With the easy to use menu format you can start using the
menu mode as soon as you have completed the installation process.
4
CHAPTER 2: PRINTSELECTOR INSTALLATION
2.1 Working Directory or Disks
The purpose of this chapter is to explain how to obtain a working
PRINTSELECTOR directory or disk from the archived distribution
files of the PRINTSELECTOR demonstration version. It is assumed
that if you have a hard disk system you will wish to have a
working directory dedicated to PRINTSELECTOR though this is by no
means necessary and you can place your PRINTSELECTOR programs
anywhere you like. If you do not have a hard disk system, this
chapter will explain how to create a dedicated PRINTSELECTOR
working disk.
No matter which system you plan to use, it is always a good
idea to make a backup disk to preserve your original archived
files.
2.2 Required Archive Files
To properly use PRINTSELECTOR you will require three archive
files. These are:
PSLPG1.ARC
This file contains the basic PRINTSELECTOR working files.
Specifically it contains:
PRINTMEN.EXE: Provides a selectable menu of
printer functions.
SETTEMP.EXE: A memory resident program that
allows printer functions to be called from other
programs.
PRINTIT.EXE: A non-memory resident program
that inserts printer commands in files that it
sends to the system printer.
MAKEMENU.EXE: A program for customizing your
own printer menus.
5
MAKETEMP.EXE: A program that allows you to
customize the printer commands used by SETTEMP and
PRINTIT.
TRANSL.EXE: A translation utility that may
be helpful in examining printer escape sequences.
PSLDT1.ARC
This archive file contains the overlay (.ovl), template
(.tmp) and description (.dis) data files that are available for
standard printers.
PSLDOC.ARC
This archive file contains documentation for the PRINTSELEC-
TOR program. Specifically it contains:
PM.DOC : This is the PRINTSELECTOR demon-
stration version manual.
PRINTFIL.DOC: This lists the standard print-
er data files that currently available for
PRINTSELECTOR.
READ.ME: This contains additions or correc-
tions to the PRINTSELECTOR manual as well as
additional helpful hints in using PRINTSELECTOR.
READ1ST.DOC: This is a short file that gives a quick sum-
mary of what files are required for a complete
demonstration copy of PRINTSELECTOR and a summary
discription of how they are used. This file
should allow you to start using PRINTSELECTOR
without having to wade through the rather lengthy
manual.
In addition to the PRINTSELECTOR archive files you will need a
copy of ARC-E.COM to allow extraction of the working and data
files from the archives.
6
2.3 Installation for hard disk systems
If you have a hard disk system it is suggested that you
first create a PRINTSELECTOR working directory. You can do this
with the command:
MKDIR PRINTSEL
CD PRINTSEL
These commands will first create the directory PRINTSEL and then
place you in this new directory. Now you are ready to set up the
PRINTSELECTOR files.
First copy ARC-E.COM to your PRINTSEL directory (this is the
file that allows you to extract the PRINTSELECT programs and
data). Next copy PSLPG1.ARC (the archive file containing the
PRINTSELECTOR programs) to PRINTSEL directory. Now type the
command:
ARC-E E PSLPG1 *.*
This will place the PRINTSELECTOR programs in your working
directory (you may now want to issue the command:
ERASE PSLPG1.ARC
to erase the PSLPG1.ARC file and clear some space on your disk).
Next copy PSLDT1.ARC to your working directory. From Table
2 (or more accurately from PRINTFIL.DOC) look up your printer and
unarchive the corresponding .OVL, .TMP and .DIS files to your
working directory. As an example, if your printer is a Hewlett
Packard Laserjet Plus, you would issue the commands:
ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.OVL
ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.TMP
ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.DIS
7
You should unarchive all of the data files corresponding to
all of the printers you are likely to use. Then you might wish
to erase PSLDT1.ARC i.e.
ERASE PSLDT1.ARC
to save room on your disk.
PRINTSELECTOR recognizes default files which are identified
by FPRINT.XXX. Consequently you should copy the data files of
the printer you will use most often to these default values. As
an example, if your primary printer is the LASERJET II you should
issue the commands:
COPY LASERII.OVL = FPRINT.OVL
COPY LASERII.TMP = FPRINT.TMP
COPY LASERII.DIS = FPRINT.DIS
This completes the hard disk installation of PRINTSELECTOR.
2.4 Installation for floppy disk systems
This section will describe how you can make a PRINTSELECTOR
working floppy disk. A complication that arises here is that the
archive files and their contents cannot both fit on a double
density floppy disk. The instructions that follow will help you
work around this if you have a dual floppy disk system.
First place the ARC-E.com program and the archive file
PSLPG1.ARC on one floppy disk and place it in drive a:. Next place
a blank formatted floppy in drive B: (This will become your
PRINTSELECTOR working floppy. While in Drive A: Issue the
command:
A: ARC-E E PSLPG1 *.* B:
This will copy all of the PRINTSELCTOR working programs on
disk B. (You may wish to transfer MAKEMENU.EXE and MAKETEMP.EXE
to another disk as these programs will not be used as often as
PRINTMENU.EXE, PRINTIT.EXE and SETTEMP.EXE).
8
Next copy PSLDT1.ARC to disk A (you should probably erase
PSLPG1.ARC from disk A to assure adequate space. Then replace
your working disk in the DISK B drive. From Table 2 (or more
accurately from PRINTFIL.DOC) look up your printer and unarchive
the corresponding .OVL, .TMP and .DIS files to your working disk.
As an example, if your printer is a Hewlett Packard Laserjet
Plus, you would issue the commands:
A: ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.OVL B:
A: ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.TMP B:
A: ARC-E E PSLDT1 LASERII.DIS B:
You should unarchive all of the data files corresponding to
all of the printers you are likely to use.
PRINTSELECTOR recognizes default files which are identified
by PRINTFIL.XXX. Consequently you should copy the data files of
the printer you will use most often to these default values. As
an example, if your primary printer is the LASERJET II you should
issue the commands:
B: COPY LASERII.OVL = FPRINT.OVL
B: COPY LASERII.TMP = FPRINT.TMP
B: COPY LASERII.DIS = FPRINT.DIS
This completes the creation of a PRINTSELECTOR working disk.
9
TABLE 2.1 AVAILABLE CONTROL FILES FOR PRINTSELECTOR
PRINTER FILE OVERLAY FILE TEMPLATE
CITIZEN MSP-10 CIT10.OVL CIT10.TMP
CITIZEN MSP-15 CIT10.OVL CIT10.TMP
CITOH 8510 CITOH.OVL CITOH.TMP
CRT DISPLAY CONTROL SCREEN.OVL SCREEN.TMP
EPSON FX85 EPSFX85.OVL EPSFX85.TMP
EPSON FX185 EPSFX85.OVL EPSFX85.TMP
EPSON FX (OLD MODEL) EPSFX.OVL EPSFX.TMP
EPSON FX (old model with EPSFXLW.OVL EPSFXLW.TMP
"Letter Writer" extension)
EPSON 286 EPS286.OVL EPS286.TMP
EPSON 286E EPS286E.OVL EPS286E.TM
EPSON LQ500 EPSLQ.OVL EPSLQ.TMP
EPSON LQ1000E ESLQ.OVL EPSLQ.TMP
HP DESKJET DESKJET.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET with soft fonts DSKJSF.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJABCM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706A,B,C,M
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJTMSRM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706D,E,F
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJHELV.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706G,H,J
HP DESKJET with Epson DESKEPS.OVL DESKEPS.TMP
fx emulation cartridge
HP DESKJET PLUS DESKJETP.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET PLUS DSKJPSF.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with soft fonts
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPABCM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706A,B,C,M
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPTMSRM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706D,E,F
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPHELV.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706G,H,J
HP DESKJET PLUS DESKEPS.OVL DESKEPS.TMP
with fx emulation cartridge
HP LASERJET LASER.OVL. LASER.TMP
HP LASERJET PLUS LASER.OVL LASER.TMP
HP LASERJET with math LASMATHE.OVL LASMATHE.TMP
elite module
HP LASERJET II LASJETII.OVL LASJETII.TMP
IBM PROWRITER IBM.OVL IBM.TMP
OKIDATA 92 OKI92.OVL OKI92.TMP
OKIDATA 93 OKI92.OVL OKI92.TMP
OKIDATA 192,193 (STD) OKI19X.OVL OKI19X.TMP
OKIDATA 292,293,294 STD OKI29X.OVL OKI29X.TMP
OKIDATA 393 STD OKI39X.OVL OKI39X.TMP
NEC 8023 CITOH.OVL CITOH.TMP
STAR NX1000 STAR1000.OVL STAR1000.TMP
TEKTRONIX 4696 TEK4696.OVL TEK4696.TMP
TOSCHIBA P321SL TP321.OVL TP321.TMP
TOSCHIBA P341SL TP321.OVL TP321.TMP
CHAPTER 3: USING PRINTMEN IN THE MENU MODE TO CONTROL YOUR
PRINTER
Because of its natural menu structure, PRINTMEN is very easy
to use. All of the descriptive material in this chapter assumes
that you are operating in either your PRINTSELECTOR working disk
or directory.
3.1 Starting PRINTMEN
PRINTMEN may be started in two ways. If a default file has
been installed (see chapter 2) you need only type PRINTMEN fol-
lowed by the ENTER key, and PRINTSELECTOR's menu mode will begin
to operate.
If you have not installed a default file or if you wish to
control a printer other than the one chosen in chapter 2 as your
default printer, you must type PRINTMEN followed by a space and
the name of the overlay file corresponding to your printer. The
overlay file name is followed by the ENTER key. Examples of
legal calling sequences are:
PRINTMEN
"Invokes the PRINTMEN program using the default file
fprint.ovl.
PRINTMEN EPS286E
"Invokes the PRINTMEN program using the EPS286E.OVL overlay
file.
Overlay files and their corresponding printers are listed in
table 2.1 of chapter 2. An updated listing is found on
your .CP2distribution disk in file PRINTFIL.DOC. After reading
chapter 4 you will also be able to make your own customized over-
lay files.
11
3.2 Using PRINTMEN
PRINTMEN may be started in two ways. If a default file has
been installed (see chapter 2) you need only type PRINTMEN fol-
lowed by the ENTER key, and PRINTSELECTOR's menu mode will begin
to operate.
If you have not installed a default file or if you wish to
control a printer other than the one chosen in chapter 2 as your
default printer, you must type PRINTMEN followed by a space and
the name of the overlay file corresponding to your printer. The
overlay file name is followed by the ENTER key. Examples of
legal calling sequences are:
PRINTMEN
Invokes the PRINTMEN program using the default file
fprint.ovl.
PRINTMEN EPS286E
Invokes the PRINTMEN program using the EPS286E.OVL overlay
file.
Overlay files and their corresponding printers are listed in
table 2.1 of chapter 2. An updated listing is found on your
distribution disk in file PRINTFIL.DOC. After reading chapter 4
you will also be able to make your own customized overlay files.
PRINTMEN displays are organized as screens. Each screen is
a single display frame of your CRT. Figure 3.1 is a typical
PRINTMEN display screen. Screens generally correspond to a
particular category of printer function. For instance, it is
common to dedicate a screen to font selection and a separate
screen to margin settings.
As seen in Fig 3.1, each screen has a title at the top
identifying the kind of control functions described in this
particular screen. The title is followed by a list of control
items and these .cp 10
12
GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS COMMANDS
1. Bold print select
2. Bold print clear
3. Underline all characters
4. Stop the underlining of all characters
please input one of the following followed by 'enter'
f to go forward one screen b to go back one screen
q to quit and output escape sequences
command number to be sent to output unit
FIGURE 3.1 PRINTMEN WORKING DISPLAY SCREEN
are in turn followed by a list of instructions on how to use the
screen.
The control items are identified by numbers. Typing the
number adjacent to a given item will select the corresponding
control function and place it in a queue of functions to be sent
to the printer.
Control functions are not sent to the printer until you exit
from PRINTMEN and there are several opportunities to abort the
PRINTMEN operation before this happens.
You may exit from PRINTMEN without sending any control
signals by simultaneous depression of the "CTRL" key and the "C"
key.
13
Some control items require the further input of numerical
data. For example a "Set left margin" command will have to
request that you input the column position of the new left mar-
gin.
Once you select a control item that requires further input,
the CRT display will clear and a question will appear asking for
the appropriate information. After you have entered the required
data you will be returned to your original control screen.
As Figure 3.1 shows, the bottom of the screen is a set of
commands for proceeding through the program. To advance to the
next screen you need only enter "f" followed by the ENTER key.
To display the previous screen, you need only enter "b" followed
by the ENTER command.
3.3 Exiting PRINTMEN
After you have selected one or several printer commands, you
may send them to your printer and leave the PRINTMEN program,
simply by pressing the "q" key followed by ENTER.
Before leaving PRINTMEN the termination screen is displayed.
This is shown in Figure 3.2.
The top of the termination screen lists the printer control
functions that you have selected. In most cases you will simply
type "g" followed by ENTER to exit and send the selected control
commands to your printer. If you wish to exit without sending a
control string to the printer you may type ENTER twice. (Actual-
ly to exit PRINTMEN without sending a control string you may type
any character other than "g", "G", "c", or "C" followed by
ENTER).
The termination screen gives you one other option. MSDOS
and PCDOS define structures called "logical units to which pe-
ripheral elements such as printers are attached. These struc-
tures allow you to simultaneously connect several peripheral
elements to your computer. The "logical unit" is really a name
that identifies external pieces of equipment for inputting
14
You have input the following commands
Bold print select
pica pitch (10 cpi)
ASCII characters
if you wish to send these commands to output type g
if you wish to change output logical unit from lpt1: type c
if you wish to exit without output type any other key
FIGURE 3.2 PRINTMEN TERMINATION SCREEN
and outputting data. Usually your printer is assigned to "LPT1:"
(which is a legal logical unit name). Other legal logical unit
names are "LPT2:" , "LPT3;, ", "COM1:" and "COM2":.
The termination screen gives you the option of changing from
the default logical unit to another.
If you type "c" or "C" (followed by ENTER) in the termina-
tion screen you will be told what the default logical unit is and
asked if you wish to continue in changing the logical unit. If
you wish to continue type "y" or "Y" if not type "n" or "N". If
you elect to continue and change the logical unit you will be
given a numbered list of all the legal logical units. Selecting
the appropriate number followed by ENTER will select the corre-
sponding logical unit and return you to the termination screen.
15
3.4 Saving and automatically using a printer configuration
The PRINTMEN program works by generating a file "PTRANS.FIL"
that contains the control sequences that are sent to the print-
er. When you exit PRINTMEN this file is automatically transmit-
ted to the logical unit specified in the overlay file. However,
PTRANS.FIL is not erased. If you wish to reestablish the control
you need only retransmit the control file to your printer.
Assuming your printer is assigned to the logical unit LPT1: this
can be accomplished by the command:
COPY PTRANS.FIL = LPT1:
Whenever PRINTMEN is invoked it produces a new version of
PTRANS.FIL, consequently if there are several common printer
configurations that you like to use, you should rename PTRANS.FIL
after these have been defined by PRINTMEN and transfer the new
configuration files to the printer when you wish to use them
(using the copy instruction shown above).
If there is a standard printer configuration that you like
to use most of the time, you can place it in your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file so that it is invoked whenever you turn on you computer. It
is recommended that you do not use PTRANS.FIL but rename it for
use in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
For instance if you have defined a printer configuration
that you like you may rename it by the command:
COPY PTRANS.FIL = \PRINTER.CFG
you may then add the statement:
COPY PRINTER.CFG = LPT1:
to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file in your root directory.
16
3.5 Using PRINTMEN to control your CRT screen
PRINTSELECTOR programs can also be used to control your CRT
screen. This can be done in conjunction with the MSDOS driver
ANSI.SYS. This driver accepts control escape sequences in the
same way that a printer does. However ANSI.SYS must be enabled.
This is accomplished by including the command:
DEVICE=ANSI.SYS
in the CONFIG.SYS file in your root directory. In addition to
this command, ANSI.SYS must also be present in your root directo-
ry. Alternatively, ANSI.SYS's home directory must be specified.
For instance, ANSI.SYS and similar drivers and utilities are
often stored in a special directory named DOS. In this case, the
command:
DEVICE=\DOS\ANSI.SYS
must be included in your CONFIG.SYS file.
When ANSI.SYS is properly installed, escape sequences will
be treated as screen control symbols if they are directed to the
"CON:" logical device. The overlay file "SCREEN.OVL" has been
included in your PRINTSELECTOR package and it can be used by
PRINTMEN to set up screen commands.
PRINTMEN generates screen commands in the same way it gener-
ates printer commands. It creates a file PTRANS.FIL which is
saved and copied to the appropriate logical device (in the case
of screen control this logical device is "CON:"). To establish a
screen control configuration that is invoked when ever the com-
puter is turned on, you need only rename the PTRANS.FIL file and
copy it to CON: in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. In other words, if
you generated your favorite screen configuration setting and
renamed its PTRANS.FIL file by:
COPY PTRANS.FIL = \SCREEN.CFG
17
(placing the new file SCREEN.CFG in your root directory. You
could then automatically invoke this screen configuration by
placing the statement:
COPY SCREEN.CFG = CON:
in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
18
CHAPTER 4: MAKING YOUR OWN PRINTER OVERLAY FILES USING
MAKEMENU
4.1 Introduction
While at first it might appear to be a difficult and in-
volved task, making your own customized overlay files is actually
quite easy. The discussion in this chapter is a bit detailed.
We recommend that after reading the first two sections you exper-
iment with a scrap overlay file. For the most part, the menu
functions are self explanatory.
DO NOT USE AN EXISTING OVERLAY FILE.
For instance, if you type the commands
COPY FPRINT.OVL = SCRAP.OVL (followed by ENTER)
You will have created a new overlay file: SCRAP.OVL that you can
experiment with in complete safety.
PRINTSELECTOR allows you to create, edit or display an
overlay file through the use of the MAKEMENU program. The legal
calling sequence for the MAKEMENU program is: MAKEMENU followed
by the name of the overlay file to be created, edited or dis-
played. The ".OVL" extension for the overlay file is not neces-
sary. Examples of legal calling sequences are:
MAKEMENU SCRAP.OVL
creates,edits or displays SCRAP.OVL
MAKEMENU SCRAP
creates,edits or displays SCRAP.OVL
19
MAKEMENU
the program will ask for the name of an overlay file with
which to work
Once you have entered the correct calling sequence for
MAKEMENU, you will be asked if you wish to:
1 create a new overlay file
2 edit an existing overlay file
3 display all of the properties of an existing overlay
file.
An option is selected by selecting one of the appropriate num-
bers.
Depending on how you entered the MAKEMENU program, you will
either be asked for a new overlay file file name or if you wish
to continue to operate with the overlay file that you have al-
ready specified.
We will describe the options and menus available in MAKEME-
NU, but first it would be helpful to describe the format of the
screens that will be presented to you.
4.2 Screen and overlay file formats
As we discussed in Chapter 3, PRINTMEN displays a series of
"screens" each of which contains a number of control items which
can be selected to generate a series of control "escape se-
quences" that are sent to the printer. Sometimes a numerical
variable must be added. For instance, the column position of one
of the margins , or the number of inches separating lines of
print may be requested.
Because MAKEMENU presents more item data than just the
titles displayed by PRINTMEN, a full PRINTMEN screen may not fit
on a MAKEMENU CRT display screen. When .CP 10
20
SCREEN 1 GENERAL COMMANDS
Menu item 1
Line 1 reset most commands to default values
Line 2 number of arguments = 0
Line 3 1b 45
Menu item 2
Line 1 Set top margin
Line 2 number of arguments = 1
Line 3 Please input the number of lines at top of page
Line 4 1b 26 6c #1 45 1b 26 61 30 52
ENTER
f for forward one frame in screen b for back one frame in screen
u for forward one screen r for back one screen
q to stop
d to delete an item i to insert an item
s to insert a screen x to delete a screen
t to edit title
the item number to edit
FIGURE 4.1 A TYPICAL MAKEMENU DISPLAY SCREEN
this is the case the display screen is broken into screen frames
which display control items.
Each overlay file contains up to 14 screens. Each screen
contains up to 14 control items. The process of making an over-
lay file is basically the process of filling in the blanks in the
screen and item data structures.
21
Figure 4.1 shows the first frame of a typical screen. Each
screen contains a title block (which is a phrase or sentence
describing the functions in the screen) and a number of control
items. (If more than one frame is contained in a screen, frames
after the first do not display the screen title).
Menu item 2
Line 1 Set top margin
Line 2 number of arguments = 1
Line 3 Please input the number of lines at top of page
Line 4 1b 26 6c #1 45 1b 26 61 30 52
please enter the line number you wish to change
enter return to make no changes
FIGURE 4.2 DISPLAY OF AN EDIT ITEM SCREEN
Figure 4.2 shows the form of a control item. As seen in the
figure, the item contains the following data elements:
item title: (line one in the figure)
This is the phrase or sentence that is displayed in PRINTMEN
to describe the function to be selected.
number of arguments: (line two in the figure)
This is the number of arguments that will be asked for by
the item if it is selected. The number of arguments must be
less then or equal to 5. If no arguments are required then
this number is set to zero.
request for arguments: (line 3 in the figure)
22
Menu item 2
Line 1 Set top margin
Line 2 number of arguments = 1
Line 3 Please input the number of lines at top of page
Line 4 1b 26 6c #1 45 1b 26 61 30 52
please enter the line number you wish to change
enter return to make no changes
FIGURE 4.2 DISPLAY OF AN EDIT ITEM SCREEN
These are the phrases or sentences that are used by PRINTMEN
to identify and request the input of arguments
escape sequence: (line 4 in the figure)
These are the actual escape characters that are sent to the
printer. Up to 40 escape characters per item are allowed.
The .format for the display of escape sequences is described
below.
All overlay screens have the same structure except for the
first which is screen 0. This screen contains only one data
element, the default logical unit. This is automatically set to
"LPT1": but can be set to any other legal logical unit.
The data elements that are either sentences or phrases may
not be over 80 characters in length. They will be displayed
exactly as entered into the overlay file.
All this is pretty straight forward. However, the way in
which escape characters are stored will require some more expla-
nation.
23
The principle method of display and entry for escape charac-
ters is hexadecimal format. (If you are not familiar with hexa-
decimal format please see the tutorial in appendix B.) There are
some exceptions however. If a variable is to be introduced into
the stream of escape characters, it is identified by either a
"#", a "&" , or an "*" followed by an integer identifying the
order in which that particular variable was entered into the
control program. As an example the escape sequence:
1b 02 #1 5a *3 05 #3 &2
would be a string of escape sequences in which :
the third element is variable number 1
the fifth and seventh elements are variable number 3
the last element is variable 2
The "#","&",and "*" symbols denote different ways in which
the input variables are interpreted. The three different symbols
are needed because printers differ in the way in which they
request numerical values in their escape sequences. Some print-
ers want input variables represented as a string of ASCII charac-
ters (for instance 25 would be represented in hex as 32 35)
while others prefer to have their input variables represented as
8 bit binary numbers. (For instance 25 would be represented as
the hexadecimal representation 19). Some printers use both types
of number representation.
In MAKEMENU a variable that is to be presented as ASCII
characters is identified by "#", while a variable that is to be
represented by the hexadecimal expression of a binary number is
preceded by a "&". The "*" is used to interpret a variable as
the ASCII symbol corresponding to the decimal number of the
symbol. This last notation is used principally in inputting
escape sequences to the ANSI.SYS driver that controls CRT screen
displays.
24
Some examples might help.
#i where the ith variable is 5
will introduce the ASCII character 5 (hex 35) into the
escape character stream.
&i where the ith variable is 5
will introduce the ASCII character ENQ (hex 05) into the
escape character stream.
*i where the ith variable is 5
will introduce the ASCII character ENQ (hex 05) into the
escape character stream.
*i where the ith variable is 16
will introduce the ASCII character DLE (hex 10) into the
escape character stream.
The "#" character can be used to introduce an set of ASCII
characters as well as a numerical value. For instance if #i were
present in the escape character representation, and the string
"this is not a number" were input
25
char no 1 1b ESC
char no 2 26 &
char no 3 6c l
char no 4 #1
char no 5 45 E
char no 6 1b ESC
char no 7 26 &
char no 8 61 a
char no 9 30 0
char no 10 52 R
Please enter the number of the escape character to be changed
To continue without a change, type return
to insert a character type i to delete a character type d
FIGURE 4.3 THE DISPLAY OF AN EDIT ESCAPE SEQUENCE SCREEN
In creating or modifying a printer specification file
Please input the desired action
1) Create a new printer specification file
2) Edit an old printer specification file
3) Display an old printer specification file
FIGURE 4.4 THE INTRODUCTORY COMMAND SCREEN OF MAKEMENU
26
when PRINTMEN asked for variable i, the ASCII characters in the
string would replace the variable in the escape sequence.
There is an expanded mode of display for escape sequences.
This is shown in Figure 4.3 and is made available whenever an
item line containing an escape sequence is selected for editing.
As seen in Figure 4.3, in the expanded display mode the
escape characters are numbered and their hexadecimal description
is displayed. In addition, if the character is a printable ASCII
character, its printed form is displayed. If the ASCII character
is not printable the standard mnemonic for the character is
displayed. The description column is left blank if the character
is an input variable.
Appendix A describes the actual stored form of an overlay
file. This may be useful in understanding the operation of
PRINTMEN but it is not needed in the menu based development or
editing of an overlay file.
4.3 Entering Data
As we discussed earlier, entering data with the MAKEMENU
program is just a matter of following the menu directives.
Phrase and sentence inputs are typed as they should appear.
Completion of the input of a phrase or sentence is signaled by
the ENTER key.
Some special provisions have been made to simplify the input
of escape sequences. Usually an escape character is entered as a
hexadecimal number. However, if a printable escape character is
to be entered, it may be entered as its printable key stroke
surrounded by double quotation marks (i.e. "3" is equivalent to
the hexadecimal input of 33).
There is an even greater convenience: If a string of print-
able escape characters is to be sent to the printer, it may be .
input to the MAKEMENU program by placing the whole string between
double quotation marks. As an example "abcd" is exactly equiva-
lent to the hexadecimal input of 48 49 50 51.
27
The current destination logical unit is LPT1:
do you wish to change it (y or n)
FIGURE 4.5 THE MAKEMENU SCREEN ASKING FOR THE DEFAULT LOGICAL
UNIT.
4.4 Creating an overlay file for the first time
When you first enter the MAKEMENU program you will be pre-
sented with the display in figure 4.4 You may make your selec-
tion by typing the appropriate number. Choosing the "create a
new file" option (typing number 2) will allow you to develop an
entirely new overlay file. This procedure, like all of the
PRINTSELECTOR procedures is menu driven.
Upon first entering the create option you will be shown the
screen in figure 4.5. This screen displays the name of the
default logical unit that will receive the printer control
strings. You will be asked if you would like to change this
default value. If you do not wish to change the default logical
unit, simply enter "n" or "N" (followed by ENTER) .
28
If you do wish to change the default logical unit, enter "y"
or "Y" (followed by ENTER) in response to the question and you
will be given a list of legal logical units from which you can
select the new default value.
After you have completed your selection of the default
logical unit you will begin the creation of the main data forms
of the overlay files. Creation of an overlay file is performed
through the creation of a number of screens. Screens are created
through the input of a screen title and the creation of a number
of control items.
Screens are created in sequence (screen 1 being created
first followed by the creation of screen 2 and so on). At the
beginning of each screen creation procedure you will be asked if
you want to continue. If you answer no (with an "n" or an "N"
response), You will exit from MAKEMENU and the overlay file you
have created will be written to disk.
At the beginning of each control item creation procedure,
you will asked if you wish to continue. If you answer no (with
an "n" or an "N" response) MAKEMENU will exit from the creation
of the current screen and ask if you wish to create the next
screen.
Actual creation of screens and control items are simply a
matter a making the appropriate responses to the menu directives.
In the creation of a screen you will asked to input the screen
title. Next you will proceed to the creation of the items in the
screen.
In creating an item you will first be asked to input the
number of variables that will be used by the screen. Next you
will be asked to input the item title. If the item requires
variable arguments you will next be asked to input the argument
request sentences for each of the arguments. This will be fol-
lowed by the input of the actual system escape sequences. You
will be asked to input escape characters one at a time. However,
if you wish to input a string of escape characters enclosed in
double quotations you may do so and MAKEMENU will recognize the
whole string and adjust the escape character count accordingly.
29
To enter variables into the escape character string, simply
input "#i",*i, or "&i" (replacing i by the appropriate integer)
as escape characters.
When you have completed the escape sequence desired for an
item, press ENTER without preceding it by an escape character.
Upon receipt of the last escape character, MAKEMENU gives
you the opportunity to edit the item you have just entered. The
procedure follows the normal edit item method described in sec-
tion 4.5 below.
Remember: To exit MAKEMENU and save your overlay file, just
keep answering no to the MAKEMENU questions.
4.5 Editing overlay files
The second option available to you upon entering the MAKEMENU
program is to edit an existing file. This is much less work than
creating new file.
Upon first entering the edit option you will be informed of
the default logical unit that will receive the printer control
strings. You will then be asked if you would like to change this
default value. If you do not wish to change the default logical
unit, simply enter "n" or "N" and you will begin to edit the
first screen of your overlay file.
If you do wish to change the default logical unit enter "y"
or "Y" (followed by ENTER) in response to the question and you
will be given a list of legal logical units from which you can
select the new entry.
After you have completed your selection of the default
logical unit you will be shown the first frame of the first
screen of the overlay file being edited. Figure 4.1 is a typical
example.
In Figure 4.1, the title of the screen is displayed at the
top. This is followed by the exhibition of the data in several
control items and finally followed by a menu of possible actions.
30
Menu control items are labeled by number. Data internal to
control items are listed with line numbers. The first line in a
control item is its title. This is followed by the number of
control variables or arguments. If there are control variables
required in the item, there will be a line number and a phrase
for each request for a control argument.
The final line displayed in an item is the escape sequence.
Escape characters are displayed in hexadecimal form with numeri-
cal arguments represented by #i, &i or *i as described in sec-
tion 4.2.
Now going on to look at the menu of commands at the bottom
of Figure 4.1.
The first four choices are display commands. These are:
f for forward one frame in screen:
If an "f" followed by ENTER is typed, the next frame of the
current screen will be displayed. If there are no higher
numbered frames, the current frame will be continue to be
displayed.
b for back one frame in screen:
If a "b" followed by ENTER is typed, the previous frame of
the current screen will be displayed. If there are no lower
numbered frames, the current frame will continue to be
displayed.
u for forward one screen:
If a "u" followed by ENTER is typed, the first frame of the
next sequential screen will be displayed. If there are no
higher numbered screens than the current screen, the cur-
rently displayed frame and screen will not be changed.
31
r for back one screen:
If an "r" followed by ENTER is typed, the first frame of the
previous screen will be displayed. If the current screen is
screen 1, entering an "r" will display the current logical
unit and you will be asked if you wish to change it. If
you do elect to change the current logical unit, a list of
legal entries will be presented. After you choose one of
the legal default logical units, frame 1 of screen 1 will be
displayed.
The remaining inputs in the menu of Figure 4.1 are control com-
mands. These are:
q to stop:
If a "q" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will stop and
exit the edit program. You will then be asked if you wish to
save your edited overlay file before exiting.
d to delete item:
If a "d" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will be asked
which item you wish to delete. If you enter an item number
that is present, that item will be deleted and the numbering
of all of the other items will be adjusted accordingly.
i to insert an item:
If an "i" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will be asked
where you wish to insert a new item. If you enter an item
number that is within the current range of item numbers or
one more then the highest item number, a new item will be
created and inserted at the position you have specified.
All of the other item numbers will be adjusted accordingly.
You will be asked to input the information for the new item
just as if you were creating it in the create menu described
in section 4.3.
32
s to insert a screen:
If an "s" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will be asked
where you wish to insert a new screen. If you enter a
screen number that is within the current range of screen
numbers or one more than the highest screen number, a new
screen will be created and inserted at the position you have
specified. All of the other screen numbers will be adjusted
accordingly. You will be asked to input the information for
the new screen just as if you were creating it in the create
menu described in section 4.3. After insertion of a new
screen, frame 1 of screen 1 will be displayed.
x to delete a screen:
If an "x" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will be asked
which screen you wish to delete. If you enter a screen
number that is present, that screen will be deleted and the
numbering of all of the other screens will be adjusted
accordingly.
t to edit title:
If a "t" followed by an ENTER is typed, you will be asked to
input a new title for the screen presently being displayed.
the item number to edit:
If you type the number (followed by ENTER) of a control item
existing in the presently displayed screen (even if it is
not in the presently displayed frame), you will enter the
item edit menu for the specified item.
This leads us to the menu for editing a control item. An
example is shown in Figure 4.2. The display portion is simply a
repeat of the control item data displayed in the previous menu.
You are asked to enter the line number of the data you wish to
change. You can always leave this menu by typing an ENTER with
no line number specified.
33
If you wish to change the menu title (line 1) or one of the
argument request phrases, enter the corresponding numbers (fol-
lowed by an ENTER) and you will be asked to enter the new phrase.
After entering the new phrase you will be returned to the edit
item menu.
If you elect to change the number of variables (line 2) you
will be asked for the new number of arguments and then asked to
input new arguments for all of the variable request phrases.
If you elect to change the escape sequence, (the last line n
the data display), you will be sent to still another menu. this
is the edit escape sequence menu shown in Figure 4.3.
You may always exit the escape sequence edit menu by typing
ENTER without any other command.
In Figure 4.3 all of the escape characters are numbered and
translated. If an escape sequence character is a printable
character, it's ASCII character will be printed. If the escape
character is not a printable character, its standard mnemonic
will be listed. Up to 40 characters are permitted in an single
item escape sequence.
The possible control functions are listed below the display
portion of the escape sequence edit menu. These are :
enter the number of the escape character to be changed:
If you enter an escape character number followed by ENTER,
you will be asked to enter the new escape character. This
may be any of the legal representations of an escape charac-
ter: i.e.
hexadecimal constant
#i, &i or *i where i is the number of a input variable
a single or sequence of printable characters surrounded
by double quotes
34
When a new escape character has been entered you will be
returned to the edit item menu.
To insert a character type i:
If you enter an "i" followed by ENTER you will be asked for
the position at which you wish to insert an escape charac-
ter. You may enter a number in the range of existing escape
characters or greater by one than the highest numbered
escape character. You will then be asked to enter the new
escape character which can be by any of the legal methods
that have been discussed. When this procedure is followed
you will have inserted the new escape character or sequence
of characters at the specified location. The escape charac-
ter previously at the location at which the new sequence was
inserted will now be found at the end of the newly inserted
sequence.
After an escape character has been inserted you will be
returned to the edit item menu.
to delete a character type d:
If you enter a "d" followed by ENTER you will be asked which
escape character you wish to delete. Upon entering the
number of an escape character present in the display, this
character will be removed and the numbering of all the other
characters automatically .adjusted. After deletion of an
escape character you will be asked to enter the number of
the next escape character to be deleted. If you do not wish
to delete another escape character, type "ENTER" and you
will be returned to the escape character editing menu.
4.6 Displaying an overlay file
The display overlay file option is the third and last one
available in the MAKEMENU program. It provides the same viewing
of the overlay file's screens as does the edit option except that
it does not provide the opportunity to change any
35
SCREEN 1 GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS COMMANDS
Menu item 1
Line 1 Bold print select
Line 2 number of arguments = 0
Line 3 1b 21
Menu item 2
Line 1 Bold print clear
Line 2 number of arguments = 0
Line 3 1b 22
ENTER
f for forward one frame in screen b for back one frame in screen
u for forward one screen r for back one screen
q to stop
FIGURE 4.6 TYPICAL MAKEMENU DISPLAY MODE SCREEN
of the displayed values.
Fig 4.6 shows a typical display frame in the display option.
Again screens may be broken into display frames if they will not
otherwise fit on a single CRT display.
4.7 Backup Files
In any case where the MAKEMENU program changes the contents
of an existing overlay file, a back up file is created. The
backup file will have the same name as the overlay file but with
the ".OVL". extension will be replaced by a ".OBK" extension.
36
CHAPTER 5: USING THE INSERTION MODE TO PLACE PRINTER CONTROL
COMMANDS IN A DOCUMENT
5.1 Introduction
The PRINTSELECTOR insertion mode allows the placement of
special escape sequences inside a file. escape sequences are
designated by special key codes placed in the source file. Two
programs are available to exercise the insertion mode. The first
program is SETTEMP which is a memory resident program that auto-
matically replaces key codes with escape sequences whenever an
output is sent to the printer. The second program is PRINTIT
which is not memory resident and operates on files. When PRINTIT
is called a source file for it to operate on must also be speci-
fied. PRINTIT will read the source file and send it to the
printer after replacing key codes with commanded escape se-
quences. PRINTIT will also generate a copy of the source file
with the escape sequences inserted at the designated places.
5.2 Generating a Source File
The first step in using the PRINTSELECTOR insertion mode is
to generate a "source file". This file contains the information
to be printed with the print commands indicated by key codes.
Key codes always begin with the two characters "#&". The
third character defines what the printer control sequence will
be. For instance, the key code "#&C" is often used to change to
compressed type.
The definition of the key codes is determined by a special
template file that is identified by the extension ".TMP" after
its name. Template files are provided for standard printers or
they can be custom made using the MAKETEMP program described in
Chapter 6. For each Template file that is created, a Description
file is also created. Description files are denoted by the
extension .DIS and describe the function of the key codes. The
name of the description file agrees with the name of its corre-
sponding Template file. The only difference is in the extensions
(Template extension is .TMP, Description extension is .DIS).
37
Source files can be produced by any program including word
processors and spreadsheets.
5.3 Using the SETTEMP program
SETTEMP is a memory resident program. This means that once
it is invoked it will remain active even when other programs are
running. For instance, if you have invoked SETTEMP and are using
your word processor to print an output, every time a key code is
sent to the printer, SETTEMP will intercept it and replace it
with the appropriate escape sequences.
SETTEMP can be invoked by the calling sequence:
SETTEMP [template file]
If a template file is not specified, SETTEMP will try to install
the default template file FPRINT.TMP. Some examples are:
SETTEMP EPSON.TMP
Installs the template file EPSON.TMP so that key codes
in this file will automatically be translated to escape
characters sent to the printer.
SETTEMP EPSON
As above
SETTEMP
Installs the template file FPRINT.TMP so that key codes
in this file will automatically be translated to escape
characters sent to the printer.
If you wish, a SETTEMP invoking statement may be placed in
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file and SETTEMP will always be available.
38
Only one template file can be resident at a time. This
means that if you wish to change the template file used by SET-
TEMP you must remove SETTEMP from memory. This can be accom-
plished by the calling sequence:
SETTEMP remove
Some caution in using SETTEMP is necessary. MSDOS does not
fully support memory resident programs. As a consequence these
types of programs sometimes interfere with each other. If you
experience inexplicable results with SETTEMP installed try remov-
ing any other memory resident programs that might be present. In
addition, SETTEMP reduces your amount of available memory by 64K
bytes. This could interfere with the operation of some programs.
When in doubt, reset your system and use PRINTIT rather than
SETTEMP.
5.4 Using the PRINTIT program
PRINTIT is a second type of insertion mode program. It is
not memory resident and operates only when it is called. PRINTIT
is in general a much more reliable way of sending escape se-
quences to your printer. It can not interfere with the operation
of other programs.
PRINTIT operates by reading a specified source file and
generating a new file in which the source file key codes are
replaced by escape sequences. The new file is called a PRN
file. It is automatically sent to the printer and a copy is
saved. The PRN file has the same name as the source file except
that the extension is changed to ".PRN".
As an example, if our source file's name was SOURCE.TXT the
PRN file produced would have the name SOURCE.PRN.
The proper calling sequence for PRINTIT is:
PRINTIT [template file ],source file
39
If the template file name is not given, the default file
name FPRINT.TMP is assumed. If a template file name with no
extension or with an extension other than ".TMP" is given, the
extension will automatically be changed to ".TMP".
The source file name must be given in full. (including its
extension).
Once PRINTIT is executed, it will generate and print out a
PRN file with the same name as the source file but with the
extension ".PRN".
Some examples might help:
PRINTIT EPSON.TMP STORY.DOC
Uses the template file EPSON.TMP
Uses the source file STORY.DOC
Generates the PRN file STORY.PRN
Prints out the file STORY.PRN
PRINTIT EPSON STORY.DOC
Does exactly the same functions as the previous example
PRINTIT STORY.DOC
Uses the default template file FPRINT.TMP
Uses the source file STORY.DOT
Generates the PRN file STORY.PRN
Prints out the file STORY.PRN
PRINTIT
No source file is specified so the program cannot proceed.
Instead a help screen is displayed that explains the proper
calling sequence for PRINTIT.
PRINTIT will usually send the PRN file directly to the
printer. However, if desired, it can be printed again. This can
be done either by using the DOS PRINT utility or the DOS copy
utility. Examples are shown below:
40
Using COPY
COPY STORY.PRN = LPT1:
(copies STORY.PRN to the printer.)
Using PRINT
PRINT STORY.PRN
If you use the PRINT utility, the PRINT.COM program must be
present in your current directory.
As we described earlier, the print commands and their key
codes are defined in a "template file" that is denoted by the
extension ".TMP". Template files are produced by the PRINTSELEC-
TOR program MAKETEMP.
MAKETEMP generates template files using the familiar overlay
files that contain information on the printer being used. In
addition to generating the template files, MAKETEMP also gener-
ates "description files" that tell you what the key codes in the
template files actually do. In a way the description files
translate template files so that humans can understand them.
41
DESCRIPTION OF eps286e.tmp TEMPLATE
generated from overlay file eps286e.ovl
KEYNUM KEY DESCRIPTION
1 #&A Proportional print
2 #&B Bold print select
3 #&C Compressed type
4 #&D Draft quality pica pitch
5 #&E Elite type
6 New page
7 #&H Select Epson graphics character mode (defines
ASCII characters > 127)
8 #&I Italic font
9 #&J Unidirectional Print Mode
10 #&K Bidirectional Print mode (normal default)
11 #&L Near Letter quality pica pitch (Roman type)
12 #&N Normal width (or narrow width)
13 #&P Pica type
14 #&R Reset most functions
15 #&U Superscript
16 #&V Subscript
17 #&W Double width print
18 #&1 Cancel proportional type mode
19 #&2 Cancel bold print
20 #&3 Cancel Compressed type
21 #&4 Cancel Italic mode
22 #&5 Cancel Superscript
23 #&6 Cancel Subscript
24 #&a Greek character case alpha
25 #&b Greek character case beta
26 #&d Greek character case delta
27 #&e Greek character case epsilon
28 #&f Greek character case theta
29 #&g Greek character capital gamma
30 #&m Greek character case mu
31 #&o Greek character capital omega
FIGURE 5.1 TYPICAL DESCRIPTION FILE
42
Description files have the same name as their corresponding
template files but with the extension ".DIS". In other words, if
a template file EPSON.TMP existed, there would also be a descrip-
tion file EPSON.DIS that would describe its functions. Several
standard template files and description files have been included
with your PRINTSELECTOR package. It would be instructive to see
the format of a typical description file. This is shown in
Figure 5.1, but you are encouraged to look at an actual file.
5.5 Standard Template Files
The MAKETEMP program is very easy to use and is designed to
give a good deal of flexibility in the use of your printer.
Nonetheless, a number of "standard" template files have also been
included for your convenience. While the exact content of a
template file is dependent upon the printer being used and the
application, some key code conventions have been adopted in the
included files. You might find it less confusing to adhere to
these conventions whenever you make your own template files
(though you can certainly depart from them whenever it strikes
your fancy to do so). Another advantage to adapting some stand-
ard in key codes is that it allows you to print the same source
text on several different printers. The suggested key code
conventions are shown in Figure 5.2.
5.6 Using PRINTSELECTOR'S Insertion Mode with Application Pro-
grams
PRINTIT transfers the PRN file to the printer through the
normal DOS facilities. Specifically the COPY program is used to
transfer the PRN file to the logical unit specified in the TEM-
PLATE file. However, many application programs including word
processors, spreadsheets and data base report generators have
their own internal print procedures. These internal programs
interpret the files processed by the application program and
often generate printer escape sequences of their own. SETTEMP
works directly with these internal procedures and usually oper-
ates quite well. However, some difficulty may arise when appli-
cation generated escape sequences interfere with those generated
by SETTEMP or when the application program bypasses the normal
MSDOS printer interfaces.
43
FIGURE 5.2 LIST OF PREFERRED TEMPLATE SYMBOLS
A Proportional print select
B Bold print select
C Compressed type
D Draft quality (pica pitch)
E Elite pitch
F New page
G Greek font
H Graphics font
I Italic font
J Unidirectional print mode
K Bidirectional print mode
L Near Letter/Letter quality mode (pica pitch)
N Normal width (or narrow width)
P Pica pitch
R Reset most functions
U Superscript
V Subscript
W Double width print
X Backspace
Y Portrait orientation
Z Landscape orientation
1 Cancel proportional type mode
2 Cancel bold type mode
3 Cancel compressed type mode
4 Cancel Italic mode
5 Cancel Superscript
6 Cancel Subscript
a Greek character case alpha
b Greek character case beta
c Greek character case/capital gamma
d Greek character case delta
e Greek character case epsilon
f Greek character case theta/zeta
g Greek character capital lambda
i Greek character case iota
k Greek character case kappa
l Greek character case lambda
m Greek character case mu
n Greek character case nu
o Greek character case/capital omega
p Greek character case pi
q Greek character case phi
r Greek character case rho
t Greek character case tau
x Greek character case xi
% mathematical sign for infinity
( integral sign or upper portion of integral sign
) lower portion of integral sign
\ Nth root of
/ square root of
{ summation sign
45
Fortunately, most application programs have the option of
generating a disk image of the information that they would nor-
mally send to the printer. If you encounter difficulty in the
use of SETTEMP with an a applications program you might try using
PRINTIT with disk image files. If you continue to experience
difficulty, try to disable as many of the application programs
print control functions and replace them with PRINTSELECTOR key
codes.
46
CHAPTER 6: MAKING A TEMPLATE FILE USING MAKETEMP
6.1 Introduction
This chapter will describe the way in which the MAKETEMP
program can be used to generate template files. It is a very
boring chapter. The best way to get familiar with the MAKETEMP
program is to use it. Like all of the PRINTSELECTOR programs,
MAKETEMP is menu driven and easy to use. There is no way it can
damage your equipment.
Section 6.2 describes the calling sequences for MAKETEMP.
Once you understand how these work, the best learning approach is
to try to generate your own template files. If you run into
trouble refer back to the rest of this chapter.
6.2 Invoking MAKETEMP to edit or create a template file
Template files are created and edited by the MAKETEMP pro-
gram. escape sequences are obtained from a specified overlay
file or may be entered directly. The MAKETEMP program generates
both template and description files. Template files are used by
the SETTEMP and PRINTIT programs as described in chapter 5. The
description files explain what functions are performed in the
template file in a human readable format.
The proper calling sequence for MAKETEMP is:
MAKETEMP [template file] [overlay file]
In this calling sequence:
template file
is the name of the template file being created or edited.
The template file will always have a ".TMP" extension no
matter what extension is specified.
47
overlay file
is the name of the overlay file that contains the printer
commands that will be used in making the template file. Its
default value is FPRINT.OVL. A ".OVL" extension will always
be selected for the overlay file no matter what extension is
specified.
If only one file name is specified, it is assumed to be the
template file name and the default name (FPRINT.OVL) of the
overlay file will be assumed. If no file names are specified the
proper MAKETEMP calling format will be shown.
A display file is automatically generated by MAKETEMP. If
the template file has the name NAME.TMP, the display file name
will be NAME.DIS.
If template and display files with names specified in the
MAKETEMP calling sequence already exist, backup files will be
produced automatically. If the template file has the name
NAME.TMP the old file of this name will be copied over into
NAME.TBK. The old display file NAME.DIS will be copied over into
NAME.DBK.
Some examples are shown below:
MAKETEMP GREEK CITOH
Creates or edits the template file GREEK.TMP and the display
file GREEK.DIS. If files with these names existed before
MAKETEMP was called, they will be saved in GREEK.TBK (for
GREEK.TMP) and in GREEK.DBK (for GREEK.DIS). The overlay
file GREEK.OVL will be used.
MAKETEMP GREEK
Creates or edits the template file GREEK.TMP and the display
file GREEK.DIS If files with these names existed before
MAKETEMP was called, they will be saved in GREEK.TBK (for
GREEK.TMP) and in GREEK.DBK (for GREEK.DIS). The default
overlay file FPRINT.OVL will be used.
48
MAKETEMP
Displays a description of the proper calling sequence for
MAKETEMP.
MAKETEMP has two modes, the creation of a new template and
display file or the editing of an existing template and display
file. If the specified template file already exists, you will
be asked if you wish to edit the existing file or make a new one.
Entering "e" or "E" followed by the ENTER key will place you in
the edit mode. Entering an "n" or "N" will begin the creation of
a new template file.
The creation of new files will be described in section 6.3
and the editing of existing files will be discussed in section
6.4.
6.3 Creating new template and description files
This section discusses the creation mode of the MAKETEMP
program. This mode may be entered by specifying a new template
file name or if an existing name is specified by answering "n" or
"N" to the question:
Do you wish to edit or form a new file? (enter e or n).
Figure 6.1 shows the first screen that will be displayed
when the creation mode is entered. It first asks if the user
wishes to continue and demands an answer of "y" or "n" for yes or
no. If an "n" or "N" is typed followed by the ENTER key, the
program exits. If a "y" is typed followed by depression of the
ENTER key, the user is asked for the key character he wishes to
define (the question appears under the question asking if you
wish to continue as shown in figure 6.2).
49
Inputting index variable number 1
The string #&x where x is the input character will be used
to insert a set of control characters in a printer output file
Do you wish to continue? (Please input y or n)
A 'n' input will terminate this program and complete the
template file
FIGURE 6.1 THE FIRST CONTROL SCREEN OF MAKETEMP
Inputting index variable number 1
The string #&x where x is the input character will be used
to insert a set of control characters in a printer output file
Do you wish to continue? (Please input y or n)
A 'n'input will terminate this program and complete the
template file
y
Please enter the index character you desire
if you wish to enter a function name in the description file,
please enter it now. Otherwise please hit the ENTER key
FIGURE 6.2 PROGRESSION OF THE FIRST MAKETEMP CONTROL SCREEN
WHEN A Y IS ENTERED TO CONTINUE THE CREATION OF A TEMPLATE FILE.
50
Inputting index variable number 1
The string #&x where x is the input character will be used
to insert a set of control characters in a printer output
file
Do you wish to continue? (Please input y or n)
A 'n' input will terminate this program and complete the
template file
y
Please enter the index character you desire
a
If you wish to enter a function name in the description file,
please enter it now. Otherwise please hit the ENTER
key function name
FIGURE 6.3 COMPLETION OF THE FIRST CREATION
SCREEN OF MAKETEMP
The key character may be any printable character. It is
case dependent. The key character is the third (and only user
selectable) character in the key code that is entered into the
source file. The key character is entered by depressing the key
corresponding to the desired character and then depressing the
ENTER key.
Once the key character has been entered the MAKETEMP program
asks for a descriptive phrase. (as shown in figure 6.3). This
must be less than 80 characters long. It is only used in the
description file and is provided to allow the user to remember
the purpose of a particular key code.
51
GENERAL COMMANDS
1. reset most commands to default values
2. skip over perforations
3. set bottom margin
4. Set page length in lines
5. Set page length in inches
please input one of the following followed by 'enter'
f to go forward one screen b to go back one screen
q to quit and output escape sequences
a to add a customized escape sequence
command number to be added to the string for #&C
FIGURE 6.4 ESCAPE SEQUENCE ENTRY SCREEN IN THE MAKETEMP PROGRAM
You have input the following commands for string #&C
Condensed type (17.16 char/in for pica) valid pica,elite,italic
if you wish to send these commands to output type g
if you wish to start over with string number 1 type any other key
FIGURE 6.5 OUTPUT SCREEN THAT COMPLETES THE
DEFINITION OF A NEW TEMPLATE KEY CODE
52
If no descriptive phrase is desired, simply depress the
ENTER key. Otherwise, type the descriptive phrase exactly as it
should appear in the description file and then depress the ENTER
key. You are encouraged to enter some form of description. It
is very easy to forget the meaning of a key code.
At this point a number of control overlay screens will
appear. These are screens that look exactly like PRINTMEN menu
screens. Progression from screen to screen proceeds just as it
does in the PRINTMEN program and as is defined at the bottom of
the menu screens. There is however one difference. In the
MAKETEMP program the user is given the option of entering a
custom escape sequence. Selection of this option allows the
creation of a custom escape sequence in the same way as is used
in the MAKEMENU program. Figure 6.4 shows a typical MAKETEMP
escape sequence entry screen.
To select control sequences or commands for the template
file, the user selects item numbers from the escape sequence
entry screens. Items from different screens can be mixed in any
order, just as they can in the PRINTMEN program.
When the user has selected all of the desired control func-
tions for a key code, he can proceed to the output screen by
depressing the letter "q" followed by the ENTER key. Figure 6.5
shows the output screen.
In the output screen, all of the item names of the selected
control functions are displayed. If the user wishes to place
these in the template file he depresses the "g" key followed by
the ENTER key. If the user wishes to change the definition of
the key code just generated he can depress any key other than "g"
or "G". A control screen will be generated and the control
function selection will start over.
If the "g" key is depressed followed by the ENTER key, the
first screen will appear again. The user will be asked if he
wishes to continue. If a "y" is entered the key code definition
cycle will begin again. If a "n" is entered MAKEMENU will be
exited and the template and display files will be complete.
53
When more than one key code is being defined, the last
viewed escape sequence entry screen is displayed at the beginning
of control function definition. This is more convenient than
returning to the first escape sequence entry screen and having to
page forward a number of screens. However, it can cause confu-
sion if the user doesn't remember that he can move both forward
and backward in the selection screens.
Figure 5.1 shows a typical description file. It begins by
giving the name of the overlay file that was used in its genera-
tion. This is followed by the selected logical unit to which
information should be directed for printing. Next there is a
listing of the key codes.
Key codes are assigned function numbers (key numbers) based
on the order in which they were defined. Following the "key"
number is the descriptive phrase that was entered in the MAKETEMP
program.
On the next line is the definition of the key code. The
following lines show the item names of the control functions that
are to be substituted for the key codes in the source document.
6.4 Editing template and description files with the MAKETEMP
program
This section discusses the edit mode of the MAKETEMP pro
gram. This mode may be entered by specifying an existing tem-
plate file name when invoking the MAKETEMP program. When an
existing template file name is specified, you will be asked:
Do you wish to edit or form a new file? (enter e or n).
Answering "e" or "E" will invoke MAKETEMP's edit mode.
Once the edit mode is invoked a series of display frames
such as the one in figure 6.6 will be presented. These frames
consist of a series of contiguously numbered key codes descrip-
tions. Each description element contains:
54
The key code number followed by an equal sign followed by
the identifying key code character
The phrase that describes the function of the key code
A list of the control items that make up the key code.
keynum # 1 = B
Bold print select
Prestige bold Roman 8
1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 55 1b 28 73
30 70 31 32 68 31 30 76 30 73 33 62 38
54
keynum # 2 = C
Compressed type
Portrait compressed font- laserjet+ (16.66 char/in, 6 lines/in)
1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 55 1b 28 73
30 70 31 36 2e 36 36 68 38 2e 35 76 30
73 30 62 30 5
type f to advance one frame type b to go back one frame
type d to delete a keynum type a to add a keynum
enter the number of the keynum to edit
type q to stop editing
FIGURE 6.6 TYPICAL KEY CODE LISTING DISPLAY OF MAKETEMP EDIT
MODE
55
EDITING KEYCODE NUMBER 17
Line 1: Keycode key character = a
Line 2: Greek character case alpha
Line 3: Prestige elite Math 8
Line 4: 1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 4d 1b 28 73
30 70 31 32 68 31 30 76 30 73 30 62 38
54
Line 5: "a"
Line 6: 61
Line 7: Prestige elite Roman-8
Line 8: 1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 55 1b 28 73
30 70 31 32 68 31 30 76 30 73 30 62 38
54
Please input the line number you wish to edit
enter a to add an item enter d to delete an item
Press ENTER to exit without editing
FIGURE 6.7 TYPICAL KEYCODE EDITING DISPLAY OF MAKETEMP EDIT MODE
56
These are derived from the overlay file used to create
the template file or some set of custom escape se-
quences. Each control item will contain a descriptive
phrase on one line followed by the hexadecimal repre-
sentation of the escape sequences on the next line.
Several lines of hexadecimally represented escape
characters may be present.
Frames are designed to display as many key codes as will
fit.
At the bottom of the screen are a series of instructions. As
seen in figure 6.6, the following options are allowed:
f to advance one frame
Displays the next screen of key codes.
b to go back one frame
Displays the previous frame of key codes.
d to delete a key number
Asks for the key number to be deleted. If the number of a
key code is entered after the question, this key code will
be deleted from the template file and the other key codes
will be renumbered to fill the hole.
a to add a key code number
If a number is entered, a key code is added at this posi-
tion. In adding a key code, a series of screens identical
to those used in the MAKETEMP create mode are presented.
When the key code has been finally completed through the
screen shown in figure 6.5, you are returned to the edit
control screen described in figure 6.6. When a new key code
is entered , the key code previously at that position and
all later key codes are renumbered.
57
enter the number of the key number to edit
When the number of an existing key code is entered (it need
not be in the present display frame), the key code editing
display is shown. Figure 6.7 is an example. This display
lists all of the key code information shown in the initial
display frame except that line numbers are assigned.
As shown in figure 6.7 when editing a key code number the
following options are available:
Enter a line number
Entering the appropriate line number will generate cues
for editing that line. Line 1 will identify the key
code character and line 2 will provide a descriptive
phrase for the key code. Subsequent line numbers will
occur in pairs that define control items.
d to delete a control item
To delete a control item type "d" followed by ENTER and
you will be shown an item display similar to figure
6.7. It identifies control items and asks which one
you wish to delete. Entering a control item to be
deleted will remove that control item from the key code
and automatically renumber the other items.
a to add a control item
To add a control item type "a" followed by ENTER. This
will again display the control items as shown in figure
6.8. However you will now be asked where you wish to
position the new item. After entering an item number
you will be presented by an item creation menu much
like that used in the creation mode of MAKETEMP.
However, after entering only one item you will be
returned to the edit key code display screen.
58
ADDING AN ITEM IN KEYCODE NUMBER 17
Keycode key character = a
Greek character case alpha
Item 1: Prestige elite Math 8
1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 4d 1b 28 73
30 70 31 32 68 31 30 76 30 73 30 62 38
54
Item 2: "a"
61
Item 3: Prestige elite Roman-8
1b 26 6c 30 4f 1b 28 38 55 1b 28 73
30 70 31 32 68 31 30 76 30 73 30 62 38
54
Please input the item number to be added Other items
will be automatically repositioned
Press ENTER to exit without adding a new item
FIGURE 6.8 TYPE ITEM ADD SCREEN FOR MAKETEMP EDIT MODE
q to stop editing.
To end the editing session type "q" followed by ENTER.
You will then be asked if you wish to save your
changes. If you answer "y" or "Y" a new template and
description file will be produced. If you answer "n"
or "N" you exit the edit program with no changes made
in any of your existing template or description files.
In several of the display menus there will not be enough
room on the CRT screen to display all of the information avail
able. When this happens a scroll option will be presented that
allows you scroll portions of the display either up or down. The
scroll option appears only when there is data to be scrolled.
59
APPENDIX A: DATA FILE FORMATS
At times it may be convenient for you to use your word
processor program to modify overlay or template files. In order
to simplify this process, formats for these two files are de-
scribed in this appendix. Figure A.1 shows a typical segment of
an overlay file and Figure A.2 shows a typical segment of a
template file.
Both the overlay and template files have the same method for
portraying escape sequences. A typical sequence would be:
27 40 45 501 602 55 -1
The first element in the representation is preceded by two
spaces and subsequent character representations are separated by
four spaces.
Hexadecimal escape characters are expressed as decimal
values. Consequently, normal characters will be decimal numbers
less than 256. For instance the "ESC" ASCII symbol has the
hexadecimal value of 1b but would be represented by its decimal
value of 27 in the overlay and template files. In the example
the values of 40 and 45 represent the ASCII characters of "("
and "-".
Also in the example are the representations 501 and 602.
These are used as place holders for variable entries that are
entered from the PRINTMEN program. When variable arguments are
represented either 500 + the variable number or 600 + the varia-
ble number are present. The 500 offset indicates that the varia-
ble is to be interpreted as an ASCII value while the 600 implies
the value assigned to the variable is to be inserted as a binary
number. The notation 500 + i corresponds to #i while 600 + i
corresponds to &i in the MAKEMENU program.
The end of an escape sequence is designated by a "-1". This
representation of escape sequences is common to both the overlay
(".OVL") and template (".TMP") files, though variable arguments
are not present in template files.
60
#&c
lpt1:
1
GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS COMMANDS
4
0
Bold print select
27 33 -1
5
Input up to 5 tab stops
Please input first tab stop (must be 3 digit number i.e. 005)
Please input second tab stop (must be 3 digit number i.e.005)
Please input third tab stop (must be 3 digit number i.e.005)
Please input fourth tab stop (must be 3 digit number i.e. 005)
Please input fifth tab stop (must be 3 digit number i.e. 005)
27 48 27 40 501 44 502 44 503 44 504
44 505 46 -1
0
Underline all characters
27 88 -1
0
Stop the underlining of all characters
27 89 -1
2
TYPE FONTS
6
0
FIGURE A.1 FRAGMENT OF A TYPICAL OVERLAY FILE
61
Now we move on to the specific formats of the two types of
data files.
A.1 Format of Overlay files
Figure A.1 shows a fragment of a typical overlay file. It
is best understood on a line by line basis.
1 The first line is the logical unit destination that PRINTMEN
takes as the default destination of information sent to the
printer.
The rest of the overlay file is arranged by screens.
2. The second line in the figure is the screen number (in this
case 1).
3. The third line in the figure is the screen title.
4. The fourth line in the figure is the number items in the
screen (in this case four).
Next follows the description of the four control items in
the screen. Each control item occupies at least three lines.
5. The fifth line shows the number of variables in the first
control item of the screen ( in this case 0).
6. The sixth line shows the name of the control item.
7. The seventh line shows the escape sequence that is generated
by selection of the control item to be described.
8. The eight line is the number of variables to be entered in
the next control item (in this case five).
9. The ninth line displays the name to be displayed to identify
the control item.
62
10 - 14. These lines display the requests for the 5 required
variables.
15. This line displays the escape sequence command by the selec-
tion of this particular item.
The rest of the sequence for the overlay file can be deduced
from the figure. All of the control items in a screen are dis-
played. Then a new screen is started with the number of control
items and the screen title followed by the all the items that
constitute the screen.
There is no special character to indicate the end of the
overlay file.
A.2 Format of Template files
Figure A.2 shows a fragment of a typical template file.
Again we describe it on a line by line basis.
1. Line one identifies the overlay file used
2. Line two identifies the logical unit to which data will be
sent.
All subsequent lines identify key codes. Key code identifica-
tions are separated by two blank lines.
3. Line three is the identifying phrase for the key code
4. Line four is the key code character ( in this case "A").
5. Line 5 is the number of control sequences that constitute the
key code (in this case 1)
6. Line 6 is the identifying sequence for the control sequence.
7. Line 7 is the escape sequence to be inserted by the control
item.
63
8. Line is the blank line skipped between key codes
9. Line 9 is the identifying phrase for the next key code.
10 Line 10 is the key code character.
11. Line 11 is the number of control sequences in the key code (
in this case 2)
Lines 12 and 13 identify the first control item for the key
code, Lines 14 and 15 identify the second control item. The
format of the rest of the template file follows directly from the
above examples.
64
formed from overlay file CITOH.ovl
lpt1:
Proportional print
A
1
hex 92
27 80 -1
Bold print
B
2
bold print select
27 33 -1
custom escape sequence
27 43 -1
Compressed type
C
1
Compressed type
27 81 -1
Elite type
E
1
elite pitch (12 cpi)
27 69 -1
New page
F
1
form feed character is 0C
12 -1
FIGURE A.2 FRAGMENT OF A TYPICAL TEMPLATE FILE
65
APPENDIX B: HEXADECIMAL ARITHMETIC
Hexadecimal Arithmetic is a method for representing numbers
that has become quite popular with people working with computers.
While it might at first seem confusing, Hexadecimal arithmetic is
quite simple.
In describing how Hexadecimal arithmetic works, it is in-
structive to recall how our normal number system works.
Normally we describe numbers in a base 10 representation.
This means, for example, if we see a number of the sort 125 we
know that:
the last digit (left most) is the 5 and represents a count
of 5 in the "one"s place".
the second digit is the 2 and it represents a count of 20 in
"ten's place".
the third digit is a the 1 and it represents a count of 100
in the "hundred's place".
In our normal decimal system, our counting is based on the
number 10. Our digits go up to 9 (ten minus one) and the place
they are in represents the power of 10 they are multiplied by.
In hexadecimal arithmetic, our counting is based on the
number 16 (instead of 10). This means that our "digits go up to
a value of 15 (sixteen minus one) and each position represents a
different power of 16. The hexadecimal digits are shown in Table
B.1. Up to the character of 9, hexadecimal and decimal digits
characters are the same and have the same weight. At and above
the value of 10, new characters must be made up for the hexadeci-
mal digits. As seen the letters A through F are chosen for the
new hexadecimal characters.
66
In evaluating a hexadecimal number, the "one's place" re-
mains pretty the same. The next position to the right is no
longer the "tens place" however. It becomes the "sixteen's
place". Similarly, the next position to the right becomes the
"sixty-four's place" and the next position becomes the "4096's
place."
An example might help.
In hexadecimal notation the number A23 is
10*4096 + 2*64 + 3 = 41091 (in decimal arithmetic).
In this manual and in the use of the PRINTSELECTOR programs,
only two digit hexadecimal numbers will be used. Some more
examples are shown below:
A2 = 10*16 + 2 = 162
23 = 2*16 + 3 = 35
FF = 15*16 + 15 = 255
2C = 2*16 + 12 = 44
Hexadecimal arithmetic is used in most computer systems
because hardware construction usually uses devices in four bit
blocks. A four bit block can represent up to 16 states. This
leads to the desirability of a number system based on 16.
The rationale is not important to us. It is however impor-
tant to understand the meaning of numbers represented in hexadec-
imal arithmetic
67
TABLE B1: HEXADECIMAL DIGITS
DECIMAL VALUE HEXADECIMAL DIGIT
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 A
11 B
12 C
13 D
14 E
15 F
68
APPENDIX C: USE OF THE TRANSL UTILITY
The TRANSL program is included as a utility to help trouble
shoot some PRINTIT and PRINTMEN functions. Both of these pro-
grams generate files that are transmitted to the printer. As
described in Chapter 5, PRINTIT generates a PRN file which has
the same name as the specified source file and the extension
".PRN". (for instance the command string PRINTIT EPSON286
TEST.TXT would generate the PRN file TEST.PRN). The PRINTMEN
file generates the file PTRANS.FIL Both of these files are
automatically transmitted to the printer, but they are not
erased. Consequently, if the printer does not behave as expect-
ed, the PRN file or PTRANS.FIL may be inspected to see what
actually was transmitted to the printer.
Unfortunately the printer output files cannot be inspected
directly. A number of the characters that are transmitted to the
printer are not displayable. This perhaps needs some explana-
tion.
Characters that are sent in control strings to the printer
are actually single bytes that represent binary numbers between 0
and 255. When these bytes are displayed on a CRT screen they are
displayed not as numbers but as particular display characters.
When displayed on an IBM PC compatible CRT screen numbers from 0
to 127 are interpreted as standard ASCII characters while numbers
above 127 are displayed as special IBM screen characters. Not
all of the possible numbers have a display interpretation and in
fact some are non displayable control characters that can do
remarkably strange things to a computer that tries to display
them. For instance it is possible to completely lock out your
keyboard by displaying the wrong control character.
The TRANSL utility is a translation program that allows the
display of all of the characters in PTRANS.FIL or in a PRN file.
TRANSL works by generating a new "TRS" file that translates all
of the characters in a file into a displayable format.
69
TRANSL is invoked with the sequence:
TRANSL [file to be translated]
The TRS file produced will have the same name as the file
specified in the calling sequence, except that the TRS file will
have the extension "TRS".
Examples are:
TRANSL TEST.PRN
will produce the readable file TEST.TRS
TRANSL PTRANS.FIL
will produce the readable file PTRANS.TRS
In generating a readable file, TRANSL uses the following
rules:
1. If a character is a printable character, leave it un-
changed.
2. If a character is a control character, replace it with
its ASCII abbreviation surrounded by brackets. For instance the
character with value 4 would be replaced with [EOT].
3. If a character has a value of 128 or greater precede it
with a "+" and then interpret its ASCII value with 128 subtract-
ed. For instance the value 132 would be represented as +[EOT].
4. The character LF itself is interpreted by first actually
printing a line feed and then by printing out [LF].
Table C.1 shows the way character values are translated by
TRANSL. The table only shows the first 128 values. The table
repeats with a "+" sign in front of each character for the next
128 values.
70
Some words of caution are appropriate. Because the TRANSL
program translates single character values with multiple charac-
ter strings, the length of a display line in a TRS program is
almost always longer than the actual line in the source program.
This may cause some difficulty in displaying a TRS program.
We have found TRANSL to be particularly helpful when working
with word processor output files where printer control sequences
are generated both by the word processor and PRINTIT.
71
FIGURE C.1 CHARACTERS AS TRANSLATED BY
TRANSL.
(DECIMAL VALUES ABOVE 127 REPEAT THE LOWER VALUES
WITH A + SIGN. FOR INSTANCE THE CORRESPONDING CHARAC-
TER TO DECIMAL VALUE 232 IS +T)
0 [NUL] 33 ! 65 A 97 a
1 [SOH] 34 " 66 B 98 b
2 [STX] 35 # 67 C 99 c
3 [ETX] 36 $ 68 D 100 d
4 [EOT] 37 % 69 E 101 e
5 [ENQ] 38 & 70 F 102 f
6 [ACK] 39 ' 71 G 103 g
7 [BEL] 40 ( 72 H 104 h
8 [BS] 41 ) 73 I 105 i
9 [HT] 42 * 74 J 106 j
10 [LF] 43 + 75 K 107 k
11 [VT] 44 , 76 L 108 l
12 [FF] 45 - 77 M 109 m
13 [CR] 46 . 78 N 110 n
14 [SO] 47 / 79 O 111 o
15 [SI] 48 0 80 P 112 p
16 [DLE] 49 1 81 Q 113 q
17 [DC1] 50 2 82 R 114 r
18 [DC2] 51 3 83 S 115 s
19 [DC3] 52 4 84 T 116 t
20 [DC4] 53 5 85 U 117 u
21 [NAK] 54 6 86 V 118 v
22 [SYN] 55 7 87 W 119 w
23 [ETB] 56 8 88 X 120 x
24 [CAN] 57 9 89 Y 121 y
25 [EM] 58 : 90 Z 122 z
26 [SUB] 59 ; 91 [ 123 {
27 [ESC] 60 < 92 \ 124 |
28 [FS] 61 = 93 ] 125 }
29 [GS] 62 > 94 ^ 126 ~
30 [RS] 63 ? 95 _ 127 [DEL]
31 [US] 64 @ 96 `
32 SPACE
ORDERFRM.DOC
PRINTSELECTOR ORDER FORM
_________ COPIES OF PRINTSELECTOR @ $25.00/EA $___________
SHIPPING/HANDLING INSIDE U.S $4.00 $___________
SHIPPING/HANDLING IF OUTSIDE U.S
$10.00 $___________
SALES TAX IF WITHIN STATE OF
CALIFORNIA $1.69/EA $___________
TOTAL ENCLOSED $___________
Send Latest PRINTSELECTOR copy and manual to
Name: _____________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
It is not required, but it would be helpful if you included
your phone number in case there is any difficulty with your
order:
______ ______ _______________
Please send this order form and your check or money order to
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA.
91311
Please make check payable to BROOK KING SYSTEMS
Our phone number, should you wish to contact us is
818 882 8451
PRINTFIL.DOC
TABLE 2.1 AVAILABLE CONTROL FILES FOR PRINTSELECTOR
PRINTER FILE OVERLAY FILE TEMPLATE
CITIZEN MSP-10 CIT10.OVL CIT10.TMP
CITIZEN MSP-15 CIT10.OVL CIT10.TMP
CITOH 8510 CITOH.OVL CITOH.TMP
CRT DISPLAY CONTROL SCREEN.OVL SCREEN.TMP
EPSON FX85 EPSFX85.OVL EPSFX85.TMP
EPSON FX185 EPSFX85.OVL EPSFX85.TMP
EPSON FX (OLD MODEL) EPSFX.OVL EPSFX.TMP
EPSON FX (old model with EPSFXLW.OVL EPSFXLW.TMP
"Letter Writer" extension)
EPSON 286 EPS286.OVL EPS286.TMP
EPSON 286E EPS286E.OVL EPS286E.TM
EPSON LQ500 EPSLQ.OVL EPSLQ.TMP
EPSON LQ1000E ESLQ.OVL EPSLQ.TMP
HP DESKJET DESKJET.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET with soft fonts DSKJSF.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJABCM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706A,B,C,M
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJTMSRM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706D,E,F
HP DESKJET with cartridges DJHELV.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP22706G,H,J
HP DESKJET with Epson DESKEPS.OVL DESKEPS.TMP
fx emulation cartridge
HP DESKJET PLUS DESKJETP.OVL DESKJET.TMP
HP DESKJET PLUS DSKJPSF.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with soft fonts
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPABCM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706A,B,C,M
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPTMSRM.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706D,E,F
HP DESKJET PLUS DJPHELV.OVL DESKJET.TMP
with cartridges
HP22706G,H,J
HP DESKJET PLUS DESKEPS.OVL DESKEPS.TMP
with fx emulation
cartridge
HP LASERJET LASER.OVL. LASER.TMP
HP LASERJET PLUS LASER.OVL LASER.TMP
HP LASERJET with math LASMATHE.OVL LASMATHE.TMP
elite module
HP LASERJET II LASJETII.OVL LASJETII.TMP
IBM PROWRITER IBM.OVL IBM.TMP
OKIDATA 92 OKI92.OVL OKI92.TMP
OKIDATA 93 OKI92.OVL OKI92.TMP
OKIDATA 192,193 (STD) OKI19X.OVL OKI19X.TMP
OKIDATA 292,293,294 STD OKI29X.OVL OKI29X.TMP
OKIDATA 393 STD OKI39X.OVL OKI39X.TMP
NEC 8023 CITOH.OVL CITOH.TMP
STAR NX1000 STAR1000.OVL STAR1000.TMP
TEKTRONIX 4696 TEK4696.OVL TEK4696.TMP
TOSCHIBA P321SL TP321.OVL TP321.TMP
TOSCHIBA P341SL TP321.OVL TP321.TMP
READ1ST.DOC
PRINTSELECTOR QUICK START DESCRIPTION
1
LICENSE
The PRINTSELECTOR software package and this manual are
protected by United States Copyright Law. This shareware distri-
bution copy is meant for demonstration use only. It may be
freely distributed by electronic or magnetic media. HOWEVER IT
IS ONLY MEANT FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES. ANY CONTINUED USE IS
STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
No telephone or mail support is provided for non-registered
users.
A single use license and the most recent version of PRINTSE-
LECTOR will be sent when you become a registered user.
You may register your PRINTSELECTOR program by sending
$25.00 + $4.00 shipping and handling to:
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
California Residents must include $1.69 state sales tax.
Registration from outside the United States must include $10.00
Shipping and handling. Checks must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a
U.S bank. You may send currency at your own risk.
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
(818) 882 8451
2
WARRANTY:
BROOK KING SYSTEMS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES EX-
PRESSED OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE PURPOSE TO
WHICH THE PRODUCT IS APPLIED AND ANY DAMAGE THAT MAY RESULT TO
EQUIPMENT OR DATA THROUGH THE USE OF THE PRODUCT.
TRADEMARKS
Printselector is a trademark of Brook King Systems
COPYRIGHT
Manual and software copyright 1990 Brook King Systems:
Brook King Systems
10064 -7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, Ca., 91311
(818) 882 8451
3
IMPORTANT NOTICE
(very important to the program author)
PRINTSELECTOR IS A SHAREWARE PRODUCT. IT IS NOT FREE SOFTWARE.
COPYRIGHTS FOR PRINTSELECTOR PROGRAMS AND MANUALS ARE OWNED BY
BROOK KING SYSTEMS.
THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF PRINTSELECTOR IS DISTRIBUTED FREELY AS A
DEMONSTRATION COPY ONLY. EVEN IF YOU PAID SOMEONE OTHER THAN
BROOK KING SYSTEMS FOR YOUR SHAREWARE COPY, YOU MUST OBTAIN A
REGISTERED COPY IF YOU CONTINUE TO USE THE PROGRAM. A REGISTERED
COPY CAN BE OBTAINED BY SENDING $25.00 + $4.00 SHIPPING AND
HANDLING TO
Brook King Systems
10064-7 Larwin Av.
Chatsworth, CA. 91311
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS MUST INCLUDE $1.69 STATE SALES TAX.
REGISTRATION FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES MUST INCLUDE $10.00
SHIPPING AND HANDLING. (RATHER THAN THE $4.00 FROM INSIDE
THE UNITED STATES). CHECKS MUST BE IN U.S. DOLLARS DRAWN ON
A U.S BANK. YOU MAY SEND CURRENCY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
We worked hard to make this a good program and we'll contin-
ue to improve it. Please don't rip us off. Register your copy!
Thanks.
4
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This file is intended to give you a quick start to using
PRINTSELECTOR. While a detailed manual has been provided, it is
time consuming to print out and you will receive a printed ver-
sion when you register. PRINTSELECTOR programs are all menu
driven and should be easy to use once you become acquainted with
the format.
2.0 WHAT IS PRINTSELECTOR
Printselector is a set of 5 programs designed to give you
complete control of your printer. It operates in two modes. The
first mode is the "menu mode" which presents a menu of possible
printer characteristics. Selection from this menu will send
appropriate commands to your printer. The printer functions will
be set by the menu commands and will remain in place until either
new printer commands are received or the system is reset. As an
example if you selected italic printing as a menu command (assum-
ing your printer supports italic printing), then your printer
would use italics until either PRINTSELECTOR or another applica-
tion program sent new commands or until the system is reset.
The second PRINTSELECTOR mode is the insertion mode. This
mode inserts printer commands automatically from within a docu-
ment. These commands can be those available from the menu mode
or compound commands that generate special symbols or effects.
The insertion mode is particularly valuable as it allows you to
control special printer features even in application programs
(such as word processors and spreadsheets) that don't normally
support those features. An important example of where the inser-
tion mode is very useful is in controlling your printer's special
characters or fonts.
The insertion mode is supported by a Terminate and Stay
Resident (TSR) program (SETTEMP) that works from within almost
all application programs. There is also a separate non TSR
program (PRINTIT) that works only on files as they are sent to
the printer.
PRINTSELECTOR provides menus and insertable commands for a
number of standard printers. In addition, menu driven, easy to
use, programs are provided to allow you to develop menu's and
insertable commands customized to your own needs and printer.
Specific instructions for using these modes are presented in
the USING PRINTSELECTOR section.
5
3.0 PRINTSELECTOR FILES
The demonstration version of PRINTSELECTOR contains three
archived files. These are:
PSLPG1.ARC
This archived file contains all of the PRINTSELECTOR
working files. These are:
PRINTMEN.EXE: provides a selectable menu of printer
functions.
SETTEMP.EXE: A memory resident program that allows
printer functions to be called from other programs.
PRINTIT.EXE: A non memory resident program that inserts
printer commands in files that it sends to the system
printer.
MAKEMENU.EXE: A program for customizing the menus used
by PRINTMEN.EXE
MAKETEMP.EXE: A program that allows you to customize
the printer commands that are inserted by SETTEMP.EXE
and PRINTIT.EXE
TRANSL.EXE: A translation utility that may be helpful
in examining printer escape sequences (this program is
described in APPENDIX C of the User's Manual).
PSLDT1.ARC
This archived file contains standard printer definition
files for use by the PRINTSELECTOR programs. It con-
tains template, overlay and description files (all of
which will be defined later in this file).
PSLDOC.ARC
This archive file contains documentation for the
PRINTSELECTOR programs. Specifically it contains:
MANUAL.DOC : This is the PRINTSELECTOR user's manual
READ1ST.DOC: This is a short quick start file that can
get you up and running in PRINTSELECTOR without study-
ing the rather extensive user's manual.
6
READ.ME : This contains additions or corrections to the
User's Manual as well as additional helpful hints in
using PRINTSELECTOR.
PRINTFIL.DOC : This lists the standard printer data
files that are currently available for PRINTSELECTOR
ORDERFRM.DOC: This very important document can be used
to register your copy of PRINTSELECTOR
4.0 SETTING UP A PRINTSELECTOR WORKING DIRECTORY
The User's Manual gives very detailed and specific instruc-
tions for setting up a PRINTSELECTOR working directory or disk.
However these instructions can be summarized quite quickly for
people used to dealing with MSDOS and archived files (the in-
structions listed assume a PRINTSELECTOR working directory on a
hard disk:
1. BACKUP your source copy!
2. Make a working directory using your MSDOS mkdir command:
3. Unarchive all of PSLPG1.ARC into your working directory.
4. Unarchive all of PSLDOC.ARC into your working directory
5. Referring to PRINTFIL.DOC that you have unarchived from
PSLDOC.ARC, unarchive the .dis, .ovl and .tmp files that
correspond to each of the printers you plan to use from
PSLDT1.ARC. If this appears too complicated for a first start,
simply unarchive all of PSLDT1.ARC into your working directory.
5.0 USING PRINTSELECTOR
This section is a brief description of how to use the
PRINTSELECTOR programs. As PRINTSELECTOR relies on relatively
self explanatory menus, the best way to learn is to experiment.
The second best way is to read the PRINTSELECTOR user's manual.
Before discussing how to use the PRINTSELECTOR functional
programs, it is convenient to first describe the data file types
used.
7
5.1 PRINTSELECTOR DATA FILES
PRINTSELECTOR utilizes three types of data files. These
are:
overlay files: identified by .ovl extension
Example: laserii.ovl
Overlay files are used by the PRINTSELECTOR menu mode
to define the menu options available for a particular
printer. Overlay files are provided for many standard
printers. In addition, overlay files can be created or
edited by the MAKEMENU.EXE program.
template files: identified by the .tmp extension
Example: laserii.tmp
Template files define the functions that may be embed-
ded in documents. Template files are provided for many
standard printers. In addition, template files can be
created or edited by the MAKETEMP.EXE program.
description files: identified by the .dis extension
Example: laserii.dis
Description files are not used by PRINTSELECTOR operat-
ing programs. Instead, they provide a human readable
description of the options offered by the corresponding
template file. Every template file will have a corre-
sponding description file which will have the same name
as the template file but with the .dis extension. As
an example the description file corresponding to
laserii.tmp would be laserii.dis.
Description files are provided for all standard tem-
plate files and are created when new template files are
created or edited by MAKETEMP.EXE
The documentation file PRINTFIL.DOC provides the latest list
of the standard overlay, template and description files available
for use with PRINTSELECTOR. If your exact printer is not avail-
able, try using the files for a compatible printer (for instance
many printers are compatible with EPSON dot matrix or Hewlett
Packard laser jet printers.). If your exact printer is not
8
listed and there are no compatible printers, try using the over-
lay, template and extension files of a printer made by the same
manufacturer as yours. Usually (but not always) manufacturers
keep the same printer commands for their whole product line.
5.2 USING THE PRINTSELECTOR MENU MODE
The PRINTSELECTOR menu mode provides a menu of functions
that can be preset to your printer. For instance, if you wished
all characters to be printed in condensed type, there will most
likely be a menu command that will allow you instruct your print-
er to do this.
The PRINTSELECTOR menu mode is invoked with the
PRINTMENU.EXE command. The syntax for this command is:
PRINTMEN [overlay file]
As an example, if you have an EPSON 286 printer and wish to
invoke the menu mode your would type:
PRINTMEN EPS286
The inclusion of the overlay file extension is optional.
Once the menu mode is invoked by PRINTMEN you need only
follow the menu of commands presented.
If an overlay file is not found when PRINTMEN is called, the
program will look for the default overlay file FPRINT.OVL.
Consequently if you normally use a single printer, copying your
printer's overlay file to FPRINT.OVL might be convenient for you.
As an example if you always use an EPSON 286 printer, you
might issue the command:
COPY EPS286.OVL = FPRINT.OVL
Then simply issuing the command
PRINTMEN
would begin the menu mode using the default overlay file
(which in the case of the example would be EPS286.OVL).
9
5.3 USING THE PRINTSELECTOR INSERTION MODE
The PRINTSELECTOR insertion mode allows you to embed printer
commands directly into documents. This is accomplished by the
use of "key codes". A key code is an ASCII printable character
preceded by the two characters "#&". Examples of possible key
code sequences are #&C , #&c, #&N, #&[ and so on.
To use the insertion mode you must first embed key codes
where you wish to enter printer commands in your document. As
discussed earlier, key codes for your printer are defined by the
template file. They are explained in a form that you can read in
the description file that corresponds to the template file being
used.
The insertion mode can be made operational (once the appro-
priate key codes are placed in your document) in one of two ways.
The most convenient way is the use of the "terminate and stay
resident" (TSR) program SETTEMP.EXE.
The calling sequence for SETTEMP is :
SETTEMP [template file]
where the template file name is the one corresponding to the
printer you wish to use. If no template file is specified,
SETTEMP will look for the default template file FPRINT.TMP
As we mentioned earlier, SETTEMP is a terminate and stay
resident program. A terminate and stay resident program is one
that once called is always active in your system. For instance
to use the SETTEMP method of using PRINTSELECTOR's insertion
mode, assuming you are using an EPSON 286 printer, you would
issue the command:
SETTEMP EPS286
(notice that it is not necessary to include the .TMP extension in
the template file). Once this command is issued, your printer
will always translate key codes defined in the template file
(EPS286.TMP) to the defined printer commands. This is true for
any source file or application program including data bases,
spread sheets and word processors.
10
If you wish to change template files when SETTEMP has al-
ready been called, you must remove the first template file. This
can be done with the command:
SETTEMP remove
Once this command has been issued you may install a new template
file with a new call to SETTEMP. For instance, in our example,
if we wished to change from an EPSON 286 to a Hewlett Packard
Laserjet printer we would follow the remove command with the
install command for the Laserjet II, i.e.
SETTEMP laserii.
Terminate and Stay Resident programs do not always work.
Sometimes the computer does not have enough memory to support
them, sometimes they interfere with or are interfered with by
other TSR or application programs. If you believe you are expe-
riencing these kind of difficulties, you should use the PRINTIT
program. The calling sequence for PRINTIT is
PRINTIT [template file] data file
The data file is the file that you wish to send to your printer
(this would be the file that contains the key codes you have
added to define the printer functions you wish to add). The
template file defines the key codes for the printer you are
using. If you do not specify a Template file, PRINTIT will look
for the default file FPRINT.TMP.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPECIFY THE TEMPLATE FILE EXTENSION BUT
YOU MUST ALWAYS SPECIFY THE DATA FILE EXTENSION.
PRINTIT will generate a new file with the same name as your
data file but with the .PRN extension. This is the file that
will be sent to your printer.
As an example of PRINTIT, if you had an EPSON 286 printer
and wanted to send the file LETTER.TXT to your printer while
interpreting the key codes that were already embedded in
LETTER.TXT, you would issue the command:
PRINTIT EPSON286 LETTER.TXT
This would form the new file LETTER.PRN with the actual printer
commands. LETTER.PRN would be printed by your printer if it is
properly attached.
11
5.4 CREATING OR EDITING PRINTSELECTOR OVERLAY AND TEMPLATE
FILES
A very unique feature of the PRINTSELECTOR set of programs
is that they provide an easy menu driven method of creating your
own overlay and template files. This allows you to create menus
and templates that meet your exact needs as well as adapting to
new printer models as they are developed.
Overlay files may be created or edited with the MAKEMENU
program. Template files may be created or edited with the
MAKETEMP program. Both of these programs are discussed in detail
in the PRINTSELECTOR user's manual. However both programs are
menu driven and it is easiest to experiment with them once the
calling sequence is known.
Whenever existing overlay and template files are edited,
backup copies of the original files are automatically created.
Backup files are identified by the original file name and the new
extensions given below:
backup overlay files : .obk
backup template files: .tbk
backup display files: .dbk
5.4.1 Creating or Editing Overlay Files
The MAKEMENU calling sequence is:
MAKEMENU overlay file name
If you leave out the overlay file designation, MAKEMENU will ask
you for the name of the overlay file you wish to edit or create.
PRINTSELECTOR menus are divided into display "screens" each
of which contains a number of menu items that may be selected.
In creating a new menu, MAKEMENU will prompt you for the names of
the screens you wish to create and the names of the menu items
you wish to create within a given screen. Since the MAKEMENU
program displays the escape sequence data that is sent to the
printer as well as the item titles, a full menu screen will not
fit on a CRT display screen in MAKEMENU. Consequently, screens
are broken into "frames." A frame contains the number of screen
items that can fit on a single MAKEMENU display screen.
Inside MAKEMENU, instructions are provided to allow advanc-
ing to next or last screen or the next or last frame within the
currently displayed screen.
12
When creating a new item , you will be first asked how many
variable inputs you will desire. (Menu items may contain up to 5
variable inputs, each of which will also have a title). If you
answer "0", you will be asked to enter the escape sequence that
identifies the item. If you enter a number other than 0, you
will be prompted to enter the variable titles. When all variable
titles are entered you than be asked to enter the escape se-
quence.
In editing an existing menu item, it will only be necessary
to answer the prompts. Remember the definitions of screens,
frames, menu items and item variables.
5.4.2 Creating or Editing Template Files
The proper calling sequence for MAKETEMP is
MAKETEMP template file [overlay file]
If neither the template file name nor the overlay file name is
provided, MAKETEMP will list the proper calling format. If the
overlay file name is not provided, MAKETEMP will use the default
overlay file (fprint.ovl) if it is available.
Template files are simply a list of key codes. Each key
code is assigned a key number.
MAKETEMP display screens are broken up into "frames". A
frame in this context is the number of key codes that can fit on
a CRT display screen. Instructions are provided to move to the
next or the previous frame. In addition it is possible to ad-
vance to the particular key number you wish to edit.
MAKETEMP is menu driven. It is simply a matter of following
the directions. The specified overlay file can be used to gener-
ate the escape sequences required for a key code, or a totally
new escape sequence can be input.
Whenever a template file is created or edited, a new corre-
sponding human readable display file is also created.
13
6.0 SUMMARY
This file has tried to give you a quick start in using
PRINTSELECTOR. In the name of brevity it is intentionally incom-
plete. Detailed questions are hopefully answered in the much
more extensive user's manual.
We hope that you find the PRINTSELECTOR programs useful and
easy to use.
Remember, if you do find the PRINTSELECTOR programs useful,
please register your copy.
13
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #2518
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
PRTSLPG1 ARC 140693 5-29-90 11:46p
PRTSLDT1 ARC 126614 7-22-90 12:38p
PRTSLDOC ARC 68664 6-01-90 12:14a
ARCE COM 7517 3-03-89 4:03a
ARCE DOC 11887 3-03-89 4:03a
GO BAT 28 10-04-90 5:21a
FILE2518 TXT 1225 10-04-90 3:20p
GO TXT 958 10-04-90 3:18p
8 file(s) 357586 bytes
0 bytes free