Simtel MSDOS 1992 September/Simtel20_Sept92.cdr/msdos/printer/sider.arc/SIDER.DOC

Text File | 1988-01-11 | 6KB | 181 lines

SIDER.PAS by Bob MacDonald  Rt#1, Box 849  Lewisport, Ky  42351


  While working at home one evening recently I had a need to print a

spreadsheet sideways.  Not having a copy of Funk Software's SIDEWAYS pro-

gram, I started rummaging through a pile of Turbo Pascal(TP) public domain

disks in search of a program to accomplish this task. At last there it was.

Ready to get on with the business at hand I ran the program.  Whoops,

nothing happened.  After pulling the program into the editor for a quick

looksee, I discovered why the program wouldn't work.  It was obviously

written using a much earlier version of TP (I use version 3.01) and had

some problems.  After making the necessary changes I was able to get the

work printed as needed.  At this point the program was functional, but

lacked flexibility and an improved user interface.  Since it had definite

utility and represented a challenge, I decided to rewrite it to maximize

the potential which existed.  Thus it is that SIDER.PAS came to be.

  SIDER utilizes the ROM character set located at F000:FA6E to form the

first 128 ascii characters rotated clockwise 90 degrees.  This enables

you to print a .PRN or ascii file sideways on an EPSON FX/LX-80

printer or compatible.  Before going any further I want to point out that

the program should run on any graphics printer, and later on I'll explain

how to adapt it to other models.  The program is easy to run and requires

minimal documentation.  Simply use the left/right arrow keys to move to the

desired option and press enter.  Main menu options are as follows:

  VIEW - Toggles writing to screen on or off while printing.  I like it on

         soley because it gives me something to look at while waiting for

         the system to return.

  SIZE - Provides for selection from the three available print sizes.

         These sizes are Normal(9 cpi/6 lpi), Short(12 cpi/6 lpi), and

         Small(12 cpi/10 lpi).  Line spacings work out to yield 48

         lines/page and 85 lines/page respectively.

  PRINT - Enter the path/drive and file to be printed and print  it.

  QUIT - Exit program and return to DOS.

  HELP - Brief help screen.

In order to keep you aware of current settings a status "window" illustrates

the current printout variables.

  Those of you who have SYS_STAT.PAS(ref. Soft Sector March,1987 or PCM

June, 1987) will see that the include files ($I) are basically the same as

used there.  To simplify things you can copy those needed to a separate

subdirectory or floppy and modify as required.

  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:  In order to run SIDER you'll need an IBM PC/XT/AT

or compatible running under DOS 2.XX or above.  Detection of color monitor

and proper cursor control is handled by the VIDEO.LIB.  I have used

various TEXTCOLOR options to optimize presentation on a monochrome monitor.

Therefore, if you are using CGA, there are several alternatives available.

Omit all occurrences of TXT(xx) in the listing; review the table provided

with the "txt" function and predetermine your alternatives; or do nothing

and accept the colors as written.  None of these options will result in any

adverse consequences.  The visual losses are underlining of headings and

intensity levels.

  PRINTER COMPATIBILITY:  Although written specifically for an EPSON LX80,

SIDER has been tested successfully on several 'FX' compatible printers. An

easy way to predetermine if it will run on your printer is to look in your

owners manual to insure the following codes are applicable:

  ESC + 'A' + n   = line spacing in n/72's
  ESC + 'K'       = graphics mode - single density
  ESC + 'L'       = graphics mode - double density
  ESC + '@'       = reset to defaults(optional -if not available reset by
                    turning off and on after printing)

On the other hand, if these features are available for your printer using

different codes, your still in luck.  Selection of line spacing and the

graph mode occur infrequently  and are noted in the listing so you can

modify it to your needs.

  SHORTCUTS:  Frequently I spiffy-up programs more than others care to do.

Therefore, I have some tips to shorten the listings as presented without

effecting the functionality of the program.  First, the SIDERHLP.INC file

is not essential.  Don't bother to type it in and change line 8 of the

"main_menu" procedure to "choice := menu123(4,19,25,3,7)", and omit the

three lines so noted in the listing.  Secondly, the ASK.LIB  can also

be left out.  To accomplish this delete line 7 in the "do_it" procedure

and insert the two following lines:

    gotoxy(3,7);write('What file would you like to print sideways: ';
    readln(answer);

Remember to  delete the include statements as also noted in the listing.

This "striped-down" version will still provide all the features of the

complete listing.  Of course you can always add these trimmings by

reversing the above steps.

  LIMITATIONS:  Sider presently has two limitations which you need to be

aware of:

  1) In order to obtain a nice looking print-out it is necessary to insure

     something is printed on the last available line of the page.  I

     normally use the date issued for this purpose.  For "Normal" printsize

     this is line 48, or multiples there of, while the other two are line

     85.

  2) There is no provision for I/O errors so be careful to use valid file,

     path, and drive descriptions.


If you have any problems, improvements, or  suggestions, I'd appreciate

hearing from you.