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1991-08-17
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PPPPP 44 44 PPPPP SSS
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"Print for PostScript"
Version 2.00 of August 1991
Robert K. Blaine / ECONO-SOFT
P.O. Box 181030
Austin, TX 78718-1030
512-832-1675, 800-367-7590
CompuServe [73267,1664]
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS
TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT SHALL ECONO-SOFT OR ROBERT K.
BLAINE BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFIT OR ANY OTHER
COMMERCIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR
OTHER DAMAGES.
BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO
WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK
OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED
EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.
Throughout this document, references are made to the following
trademarks and copyrights:
o Ami Pro and Lotus Manuscript are trademarks of Lotus
Development Corporation.
TM
o DX, DIRECTORY EXTENDED , and P4PS are trademarks of Robert
K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT.
o GEM is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
o IBM and PC-DOS are trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
o LaserZ is a copyright of DMP Software.
o MS-DOS, MicroSoft Windows, and MicroSoft Word are trademarks
of MicroSoft Corporation.
o PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
o Sprint is a trademark of Borland International, Inc.
o Ventura Publisher is a trademark of Ventura Software, Inc.
o WordStar is a trademark of MicroPro International
Corporation.
o WordPerfect is a trademark of WordPerfect Corporation.
C O N T E N T S
1.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Feature Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Printing the Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.4 The ShareWare Concept -- P4PS IS NOT FREE! . . . . . . 5
1.5 General Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.6 File Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.7 Switch Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.8 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.0 Handling PostScript Input Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1 P4PS and Ami Pro v1.2 and v2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2 P4PS and Lotus Manuscript R2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 P4PS and MicroSoft Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4 P4PS and MicroSoft Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.5 P4PS and Sprint v1.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.6 P4PS and Ventura Publisher v2.0 . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.7 P4PS and WordPerfect v5.0 and v5.1 . . . . . . . . . 12
2.8 P4PS and WordStar v5.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.0 File Handling Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.1 /Booklet -- Automatic Booklet Generation . . . . . . 13
3.2 /Copies -- Multiple Copies of Each File . . . . . . 14
3.3 /FOnt -- Specify Which Font to Use . . . . . . . . . 14
3.4 /Mode -- PostScript vs. ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.5 Moving the Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.6 /Pages -- Specify a Page Range . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.7 /UCopies -- Uncollated Copies of Each Page . . . . . 17
4.0 Output Control Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.1 /Feed -- Paper Handling Options . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.2 /Output -- Where to Send the Output . . . . . . . . 19
5.0 Formatting Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5.1 /ACross -- Layout Virtual Pages Across the Sheet . . 20
5.2 /BORder -- Selecting the Border Style . . . . . . . 20
5.3 /COlumns -- Specify Characters Per Line . . . . . . 20
5.4 Headings -- Displaying Page Headings . . . . . . . . 20
5.4.1 Header Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.4.2 /PHeader -- Physical Page Heading . . . . . . . 22
5.4.3 /VHeader -- Virtual Page Heading . . . . . . . 22
5.4.4 Date/Time -- Controlling the Date/Time Format . 23
5.5 /Npages -- Virtual Pages Per Page . . . . . . . . . 24
5.6 /NUmber -- Print Line Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.7 /ORient -- Landscape or Portrait . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.8 /PAPer -- Select Paper Style . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.9 /PMargins -- Specify the Physical Page Margins . . . 26
5.10 /SPread -- Specify Page Spread . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.11 /TAbsize -- Setting Tab Expansion Size . . . . . . 27
i
5.12 /Truncate -- Truncate or Wrap Long Lines . . . . . 27
6.0 Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
6.1 /CLone -- Cloning Options Into P4PS.EXE . . . . . . 28
6.2 DOS SET Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.0 Using P4PS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
TM
7.1 DIRECTORY EXTENDED and P4PS . . . . . . . . . . . 30
TM
7.1.1 DIRECTORY EXTENDED -- Feature Summary . . . . 31
7.2 /TImeout -- Setting Printer Timeouts . . . . . . . . 33
7.3 /NETaccess -- Handling Network Conflicts . . . . . . 34
7.4 Usage Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
7.5 Future Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Appendix A. Quick Reference 37
Appendix B. Registration Form 41
Index 43
ii
Version 2.00 P4PS
1.0 Introduction
Print for PostScript (P4PS) is a program designed to maximize the
use of your PostScript printer. Whether you print booklets,
manuals, spreadsheets, long program listings, or small text files,
P4PS will help you save money, expedite your task, and conserve
paper!
If you are a publisher or author who produces printed manuals,
manuscripts, booklets, or newsletters, P4PS can accommodate the
task with Automatic Booklet Generation! This task traditionally
involves laying out pages manually -- side-by-side -- so that the
last even page is next to the first odd page, the second odd page
is next to the second-to-last even page, etc.; then photo-reducing
them to produce the 2-up (side-by-side) copy master. P4PS saves
this costly, time-consuming, and error-prone step producing the
properly collated, copy master directly.
P4PS will save you paper (and money) when printing large amounts of
text by printing anywhere from one to 64 virtual pages on each side
of a physical sheet of paper -- in either Landscape or Portrait
orientation. Each page is printed with an attractive (optional)
drop shadow effect. Obviously, when you get up to 64 images per
sheet, the output is not very readable, but it does give you an
excellent preview of the page layout of a document. The output is
very readable up through 8 images per sheet.
P4PS can handle pure ASCII files and PostScript files generated by
many popular word processors and other applications. More
applications are being added constantly. If P4PS does not currently
work with PostScript generated by your word processor or
application, contact ECONO-SOFT.
When P4PS processes PostScript input files, the page image is an
exact reproduction of the PostScript input -- simply rotated,
scaled, and repositioned on the page. When handling ASCII input
files, P4PS selects an 11.7 point (a "point" is one 72nd of an
inch), fixed pitch Courier font which normally yields 66 lines per
page at 80 characters per line. Although a 12 point font is
normally thought of as standard, most PostScript printers are not
capable of printing right up to the edge of the page. Add P4PS's
(optional) drop shadow border and a 12 point font is too large.
1.1 Feature Summary
o Prints multiple pure ASCII or PostScript files to a
PostScript printer with an attractive (optional) drop
shadow.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 1
P4PS Version 2.00
o Automatic Booklet Generation! 2-up (side-by-side),
properly collated, 1 or 2 sided output ready to
staple/bind into booklets.
o Prints anywhere from one to 64 virtual pages per
physical sheet of paper in Landscape or Portrait
orientation.
o Handles up to 255 columns per line -- great for
spreadsheets.
o Control physical and virtual page headers using macros
to determine exactly what information is printed;
determine the exact format of date displays.
o Output to any DOS device or file specification.
o Print multiple copies of each file.
o Select a range of pages instead of the entire document.
o Select continuous or manual, one or two pass printing.
o Layout virtual pages across or down the physical page.
o Specify physical page margins and the spread between
virtual pages.
o Specify what to do when a file is interlocked on a
network -- including waiting for it to become
available.
o With ASCII files, you can truncate instead of wrap long
lines, print optional line numbers to the left of each
line, and select tab sizes.
o Self-cloning -- allows you to write default options
directly into P4PS.EXE -- creating any number of
customized versions.
Page 2 1.1 Feature Summary
Version 2.00 P4PS
1.2 Installation
The following files are part of the P4PS package:
P4PS.EXE => The program itself.
P4PS.DOC => This document in ASCII form.
P4PS_REG.EXE => A program to "register"
P4PS.EXE.
READ.ME => Last minute information.
ORDER.FRM => A convenient order form.
LICENSE.FRM => Information on site licenses
and sample form.
Installing the non-registered P4PS is simple: copy it to any
directory along your DOS PATH.
A non-registered P4PS.EXE will periodically display a reminder
message requesting registration. This message is driven off of
a random number generator and should appear approximately 5%
of the time (your mileage may vary). The message may be
cleared by hitting a key. After 60 seconds, P4PS will
automatically continue -- allowing unattended use during your
evaluation.
As shipped from ECONO-SOFT, P4PS.EXE is not registered. This
is so you may pass copies around to your friends and
associates. The P4PS_REG.EXE program is used to copy P4PS.EXE
to another disk/directory and register the copied program. If
you received a disk from ECONO-SOFT, P4PS_REG.EXE will be
pre-registered with your name and will copy and insert your
name in P4PS.EXE. If you downloaded the P4PS package from a
bulletin board, P4PS_REG.EXE will not be pre-registered.
If you register with ECONO-SOFT by phone or through electronic
mail, you will receive your customer number and an encode
number directly. P4PS_REG.EXE will then be able to register
your copy using these numbers. Regardless of how you register,
once you've registered, a distribution disk and manual will be
mailed to you containing a pre-registered P4PS_REG.EXE.
See section 6 for complete information on customizing P4PS.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 3
P4PS Version 2.00
1.3 Printing the Documentation
The best way to get introduced to P4PS, is to see it in
action! To print this document as a booklet in 2 passes on
your PostScript printer, enter the command:
p4ps p4ps.doc /booklet /feed:2pass
or, if your printer is not on the Standard DOS Printer Device
(PRN), specify the device on the "/Output" switch. For
example, if your PostScript printer is on COM1, enter:
p4ps /o:com1 p4ps.doc /b /f:2p
When the first pass is complete, P4PS will prompt you to
reinsert the paper so that it can print the other side. On
most PostScript Laser printers -- where the output comes out
of the top bin upside down -- this involves rotating the paper
180 degrees (front edge to back) and not flipping them over as
you place the paper back in the paper tray. If your printer
has a flat paper path -- where the output probably comes out
of the back face up, use "/Feed:2PFlat" instead. In this case,
do not rotate the paper as you reinsert it; simply flip the
stack side-to-side:
p4ps /o:com1 p4ps.doc /b /f:2pf
Please make sure you've waited for all pages to complete
printing! P4PS indicates how many pages you should be
reloading in the prompt to reload. On many laser printers, a
light will double blink or a "wait" indicator will light to
tell you when the printer is awaiting more input. Sometimes,
with very complicated PostScript pages, it may take 30-60
seconds for that last page to come out. Also, it is not
uncommon with slower PostScript printers, to get Device Not
Ready errors -- just hit 'R' for retry.
Alternatively, If you'd like to save paper and not print this
document in booklet form, use the "/Npages" switch with a
value anywhere from one to 64 in powers of two (1, 2, 4, 8,
16, 32, or 64). For example, to print the document 8 pages per
sheet in a landscape mode, use:
p4ps /np:8 p4ps.doc
The default for "/NPages" is 4. If you'd like to print 4
images per sheet in 2 passes:
p4ps /f:2p p4ps.doc
Page 4 1.3 Printing the Documentation
Version 2.00 P4PS
Note that this document, as supplied on diskette, contains no
PostScript language elements. This is to allow you to print it
on any printer. The printed manual is generated from this same
document as a PostScript file and processed by P4PS. You may
print this document on any printer with:
print p4ps.doc
- or -
copy p4ps.doc prn
1.4 The ShareWare Concept -- P4PS IS NOT FREE!
P4PS is ShareWare and, as such, is dependent on user support
for ongoing development. Please support the ShareWare concept
by registering and paying for software that you find useful.
Please observe a two week evaluation period after which time
you should register or discontinue use of P4PS. Whether you
find use for P4PS or not, please pass it on to your friends
and associates.
The disk file, ORDER.FRM, or Appendix B of this manual may be
used for registration and ordering. A 15% discount is offered
when ordering two or more ECONO-SOFT products at the same
time. Please address all registrations and correspondence to:
ECONO-SOFT CompuServe [73267,1664]
P.O. Box 181030 InterNet: 73267.1664@CompuServe.COM
Austin, TX 78718-1030 512-832-1675, 800-367-7590
Registration: $49.95 (includes printed manual).
Postage: $10 on international orders (free in US).
Texas residents: Please add 8% sales tax.
MasterCard and Visa accepted; include expiration date.
ECONO-SOFT has a 30-day, no questions asked, return policy so
you may try a fully registered version at no risk.
See the file LICENSE.FRM for a sample site license agreement.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 5
P4PS Version 2.00
_______ ECONO-SOFT is a member of
____|__ | (tm) the Association of Shareware
--| | |------------------- Professionals (ASP). ASP
| ____|__ | Association of wants to make sure that the
| | |_| Shareware shareware principle works
|__| o | Professionals for you. If you are unable
-----| | |--------------------- to resolve a shareware-
|___|___| MEMBER related problem with an
ASP member by contacting
the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP
Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an
ASP member, but does not provide technical support for
members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O.
Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006 or send a CompuServe mail message
to ASP Ombudsman [70007,3536].
1.5 General Syntax
P4PS's command format complies with the original DOS standard
-- i.e. the standard that DOS was modeled after. The problem
in the PC community is that everyone has a better idea for
program syntax so there really are no standards. The P4PS
syntax conforms to that used by all DOS utilities. The format
is shown below and then explained. Items within square
brackets are optional, items within curly braces may be
repeated any number of times, and a vertical bar indicates
that you should pick one of the options separated by the bar:
P4PS [/switch {/switch}] [filespec {filespec}]
The syntax for a switch designation is as follows:
switch ::= /name[-|:[-]value[:value]|=[-]value[:value]]
Now what does that mean to the average user? There are three
major parts to the command line. The first is the name (and
possibly the drive and path) where DOS should load P4PS from.
The second part consists of option selections and the third
part consists of file specifications. Option selections are
done via switches.
Page 6 1.4 The ShareWare Concept -- P4PS IS NOT FREE!
Version 2.00 P4PS
1.6 File Specifications
The file specifications conform to normal DOS wildcard
conventions. There may be multiple file specifications. (See
section 7.1 for hints on using P4PS with ECONO-SOFT's popular
command-oriented directory and file manager, DIRECTORY
TM
EXTENDED ). For example, to print all "*.H" and all "*.C"
files:
p4ps *.h *.c
The special file name, "STDIN", may be used to cause P4PS to
read from DOS STDIN thus allowing piping another program's
output to P4PS as in:
myprog | p4ps stdin
If P4PS has to prescan your file, the file must be disk
resident -- this includes booklet and 2-pass processing, and
all PostScript input files.
Throughout this document, switch names are shown in mixed
upper/lower case. The portion in upper case represents the
minimum abbreviation. For example, the "/CLone" switch may be
given as "/CLONE", "/CLO", and "/CL", but not "/C" since that
is a valid abbreviation for the "/Copies" switch.
1.7 Switch Specifications
Switches may be specified either after the command name or
after the file specification. There may be spaces between
switches, after the command name, and between a switch and the
file specification. There may not be any spaces between the
'/' that starts the switch, the name of the switch, or any
values associated with that switch.
In general a switch is either on or off, and may have one or
two values associated with it. Let's use "SW" as the name of a
sample switch. The notation "/SW" will turn the switch on, and
"/SW-" will turn the switch off. "/SW:value" supplies a value
to the switch and "/SW:value:value" supplies two values. A
switch value may be a single character option, a string, a
number, a keyword, or a complete file specification. String
values are enclosed in either single or double quotes. For
each switch discussed in this documentation, the types of
values and their defaults are given. The '=' may be used
instead of ':' to assign values to a switch as in "/SW=value"
or "/SW=value:value" (this format is not possible on the DOS
SET Command -- see section 6).
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 7
P4PS Version 2.00
DOS limits the length of a command line to 127 characters. If
you need more room to enter your commands to P4PS, simply end
the current line with a comma (','); P4PS will then solicit
continuation lines. P4PS limits the total file specification
pattern and the total switch specification to 255 characters
each -- of course, they can be intermixed.
1.8 System Requirements
o Any IBM PC family or PS/2 or compatible.
o About 70k above that used by DOS and any resident
software.
o Any DOS compatible monitor.
o An Adobe PostScript compatible output device -- does
not have to be physically connected to the PC.
o MS/PC-DOS 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, or 5.x.
Page 8 1.8 System Requirements
Version 2.00 P4PS
2.0 Handling PostScript Input Files
P4PS is capable of handling any pure ASCII files and PostScript
input files generated by many popular word processors and
applications. A little explanation of PostScript is probably in
order. PostScript is a page definition language. Files sent to a
PostScript device are actually programs written in PostScript. The
language is very powerful and extremely flexible.
Adobe designed PostScript with the idea that other programs should
be able to manipulate a PostScript program to achieve specific
results. To this end, Adobe specified a commenting convention that
should be followed in design and layout of a PostScript program.
If all word processors and applications followed the commenting
convention, P4PS would probably work with all of them with no
modification. Alas, many applications outputing PostScript do not
follow the commenting conventions. Because of this, in many cases,
P4PS has to be customized to recognize the page boundaries in a
particular application's flavor of PostScript.
It is ECONO-SOFT's desire to support all major applications --
several are supported in this release. We will be adding more and
more constantly. If P4PS does not work with your applications's
PostScript output, please follow these steps:
1. In the case of a word processor, isolate a small (5-20 page)
document that contains nonsensitive data and, preferably,
contains a table of contents. With non-word processing
applications, a one or two page document may be more
appropriate.
2. Have your application print to a disk file in PostScript
format (consult your application's manual for information on
how to do this).
3. Send this file to ECONO-SOFT on a diskette or via CompuServe
(binary) electronic mail (see section 1.4 for our address).
ECONO-SOFT can handle 5.25''/360KB, 3.5''/720KB, and
3.5''/1.44KB diskettes. Be sure to include your name,
address, phone number, electronic mail address (if
applicable), and customer number (if known).
4. We will make P4PS work with your application and send you a
complimentary upgrade or, if not possible for some reason,
offer you a refund.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 9
P4PS Version 2.00
The following sections discuss the currently supported applications
and any special considerations. Check the READ.ME file for further
developments. (For complete information on booklet generation,
table of contents movement, and file recognition see sections 3.1,
3.5, and 3.4 respectively.)
2.1 P4PS and Ami Pro v1.2 and v2.0
Ami Pro uses MicroSoft Windows 3.0's PostScript Printer Driver
(PSCRIPT) v3.4 which conforms to the Adobe commenting
conventions. Use:
p4ps mydoc.prn /booklet
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" switch.
Ami Pro prints the table of contents (TOC) at the beginning of
the document. An option will be added to P4PS very shortly to
correctly move this TOC.
2.2 P4PS and Lotus Manuscript R2
Lotus Manuscript generates Adobe-conformant comments and
identifies the table of contents (TOC) with comments that
contain the word "Contents". To generate a booklet and move
the TOC to page 3 in the final document, output your document
to disk and use (see section 3.5 for complete information on
moving the TOC):
p4ps mydoc.prn /tocfr:contents /tocto:3 /booklet
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" and TOC
switches.
2.3 P4PS and MicroSoft Windows
Although not yet verified, P4PS should have no problems with
any documents generated by MicroSoft Windows v3.0's PostScript
Printer Driver (PSCRIPT) v3.4 -- this should include MicroSoft
Word for Windows.
Page 10 2.1 P4PS and Ami Pro v1.2 and v2.0
Version 2.00 P4PS
2.4 P4PS and MicroSoft Word
Although not yet verified, P4PS should have no problems with
MicroSoft Word for Windows and, if recent versions of
MicroSoft Word (non-windows) use a similar printer driver,
they should work as well. MicroSoft Word v3.0 definitely does
not conform to the Adobe commenting conventions and is not
currently supported.
2.5 P4PS and Sprint v1.0
Sprint generates comments that generally conform to Adobe's
convention. The only thing lacking is a good way to determine
the start of the table of contents (TOC). To move the Sprint-
generated TOC to page 3 in the final document, print
PostScript to disk and use:
p4ps /tocfr:1 /tocto:3 mydoc.prn /booklet
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" switch.
Sprint places the TOC at the end of the document and only
generates the exact number of pages needed to display the TOC
(see section 3.5 for complete TOC information). It is usually
desirable to force the TOC to be an even number of pages and
P4PS will generate a blank page if needed. However, if you
would prefer that blank page to have the appropriate headers
and footers, a simple change to Sprint's STANDARD.FMT file
will facilitate this. Locate and change the "TOC" macro to
contain the phrase:
beforeexit "@if(page&1,"@newpage")"
making the complete macro look something like:
@Define(TOC, before, justify no, margins .5in,
beforeexit "@if(page&1,"@newpage")", initialize "
@string(pfo="@=@ref(page,template'%i')", pfe=pfo,
pff=pfo)@string(pho="", phe=pho, phf=pho)
@string(sectiontitle="Contents",
chaptertitle=sectiontitle)
@BigCenteredHead(Contents)@TabSet(3,6,9,12)")
2.6 P4PS and Ventura Publisher v2.0
Ventura Publisher does not conform to Adobe's conventions, but
P4PS can handle its output. In some cases, the image size
within the virtual page is not correct and the /VPScale switch
may be used to adjust the output. Table of contents movement
is not currently supported:
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 11
P4PS Version 2.00
p4ps mydoc.prn /booklet
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" switch.
If you need to adjust the image area, specify the percentage
of shrinkage or growth as integral values on the /VPScale
switch. For instance, to increase the width (x) by 10% and
decrease the height (y) by 10%, use:
p4ps mydoc.prn /vps:110:90
Since Ventura uses the GEM PostScript driver, P4PS will
probably work with any GEM application.
2.7 P4PS and WordPerfect v5.0 and v5.1
WordPerfect's output is almost completely devoid of Adobe-
recommended comments. This posed quite a challenge for P4PS.
We are happy to report that we are able to support WordPerfect
v5.0 and 5.1 -- although P4PS will not automatically recognize
v5.0's output. Table of contents (TOC) movement is not
supported but is not necessary since WordPerfect places the
TOC where you indicate. For v5.0, use:
p4ps /booklet /mode:wp5 mydoc.prn
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" switch.
For v5.1, you can omit the "/Mode" switch (see section 3.4).
2.8 P4PS and WordStar v5.5
WordStar generates comments that differ slightly from the
Adobe convention. Table of contents movement has not been
verified. Versions other than 5.5 may work too, but have not
been tested. Print your document to disk and use:
p4ps /booklet mydoc.prn
For non-booklet processing, omit the "/Booklet" switch.
Page 12 2.6 P4PS and Ventura Publisher v2.0
Version 2.00 P4PS
3.0 File Handling Options
3.1 /Booklet -- Automatic Booklet Generation
One of P4PS's major features is the ability to automatically
generate booklets. This requires prescanning the input file to
determine the file's page boundaries. The input file may be
pure ASCII or PostScript generated by a supported application.
(See section 3.5 for information on moving a document's table
of contents.)
In order to print a booklet, 2 pages per side of a sheet of
paper, in the proper order so that they may be copied, folded,
and stapled or bound into a booklet, it is necessary to print
the last even page next to the first odd page, the second odd
page next to the second-to-last even page, the third-to-last
even page next to the third odd page, etc. For example, if
your document had 8 pages, P4PS would print them as:
8..............................1
2..............................7
6..............................3
4..............................5
If printing in one pass, the odd pages will come out oriented
180 degrees opposite the even pages. This is so they can be
copied back to back and page 1 will be opposite page 2, etc.
Single pass processing is probably preferable if you will be
taking the output to a copying business -- they will prefer it
that way.
Two-pass processing (see section 4.1) is more convenient when
outputing a proof booklet or just a few copies. This produces
a usable, finished product ready to be stapled.
Specifying /Booklet always sets the number of virtual pages
per page to 2 ("/Npage:2") and turns off the physical page
headings ("/PHeader-").
Booklet processing has three options. The most flexible is
"/Booklet:Custom" which makes no further assumptions and
allows you to customize P4PS's other options.
"/Booklet:Fullpage" (default) sets the physical margins and
spread to 0 ("/PMargins:0:0" and "/SPread:0:0"), and turns off
the border and virtual page heading ("/BORder:None" and
"/VHeader-"). This maximizes the use of the page and works
well with PostScript input files or ASCII input files that are
formatted with margins.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 13
P4PS Version 2.00
The third option, "/Booklet:Dropshadow", maintains the drop
shadow effect while increasing the spread between the two
images and decreasing the physical page margins
("/SPread:54:0" and "/PMargins:27:46"). This option works
better with ASCII input files -- especially if they are a full
80 columns per line or 66 lines per page..
3.2 /Copies -- Multiple Copies of Each File
Use the "/Copies" switch to specify multiple copies of each
file. The default is one copy of each file:
p4ps /cop:3 *.pas => print 3 copies of all "*.PAS"
files.
p4ps /c:10 announce.txt => print 10 copies of an
announcement.
Note: If you don't require the copies to be output collated,
the /UCopies switch will be much faster (see section 3.7).
3.3 /FOnt -- Specify Which Font to Use
P4PS selects a Courier fixed-pitch font when processing ASCII
input files. The /FOnt switch allows you to specify which font
to use. It is recommended that you select a fixed pitch font
so that tabs and line widths will appear correct. To use
Times-Roman:
p4ps myfile /fo:Times-Roman
Note: With most PostScript printers, the upper/lower case
capitalization of the font name must match the loaded name
exactly.
3.4 /Mode -- PostScript vs. ASCII
P4PS will usually make the correct assumption about whether a
file is PostScript or ASCII and this switch should rarely be
needed. Adobe PostScript files are supposed to begin with a
comment line identifying them as PostScript. For example, if
the file is compatible with PostScript v3.0, the first line
should be:
%!PS-Adobe-3.0
Page 14 3.2 /Copies -- Multiple Copies of Each File
Version 2.00 P4PS
P4PS automatically recognizes these files as PostScript. The
/Mode switch may be used to override P4PS's auto-recognition
if desired:
/Mode:AScii => treat the file as ASCII;
useful in printing the actual
PostScript program without
interpretation.
/Mode:Vp2 => file generated by Ventura
Publisher v2.0 -- may work for
any GEM document.
/Mode:Wp5 => file generated by WordPerfect
v5.0 or 5.1; required for
v5.0.
/Mode:Ps => file is PostScript.
/Mode:Automatic => automatic recognition
(default).
Note: P4PS determines that a file was generated by Ventura
Publisher if it finds the comment "%%Creator: GEM" within the
first 10 lines of the file. If this comment is missing, you'll
have to use "/Mode:Vp2". Similarly, WordPerfect v5.1's second
line is "/wpdict begin". If this is missing, P4PS will not
auto-recognize WordPerfect. (WordPerfect v5.0 doesn't even
have a "%!PS" comment at the beginning of the file -- which is
why the "/Mode:Wp5" is required for v5.0.)
3.5 Moving the Table of Contents
Many word processors that produce a table of contents (TOC)
output these tables at the end of the document. P4PS has
facilities to move the TOC to an appropriate location. In
order to move the TOC, P4PS must be able to identify the page
breaks in your application's PostScript output. TOC processing
is not implemented on ASCII input files.
Most applications that follow Adobe's commenting conventions
start the TOC with a specific comment. For example, Lotus
Manuscript R2, starts each page within its TOC with a comment
similar to:
%%Page: Contents-1 10
This would indicate the first page of the TOC and the 10th
page in the overall document. This is 100% conformant with
Adobe's conventions.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 15
P4PS Version 2.00
As another example, Borland's Sprint is not this slick. It
simply outputs single page numbers and these numbers start
over at 1 at the beginning of the TOC -- actually they can
start over at 1 a number of times:
%%Page: 1
P4PS has two switches to locate and move the TOC. The /TOCFrom
switch is used to indicate what text to look for. If the
argument to /TOCFrom is purely numeric, the last occurrence of
this argument is located. This accommodates Borland's Sprint
and allows you to locate the last occurrence of a specifically
numbered page:
p4ps ... /tocf:1
If the argument to /TOCFrom contains any alphanumeric
characters, the first occurrence of a page comment containing
that text is located (upper and lower case are not
significant). With Lotus Manuscript, you would use:
p4ps ... /tocf:contents
Enclose the text in quotes if spaces are significant:
p4ps ... /tocf:'the TOC starts here!'
The second TOC parameter, /TOCTo tells P4PS where to place the
TOC. If you would like the TOC placed after the first two
pages -- i.e. make it page 3 -- use:
p4ps ... /tocto:3
Both of these switches must be used if P4PS should move the
TOC.
Most publishers want every chapter or major section to start
on an odd page boundary. When P4PS moves the TOC, it will
insert a blank page, if necessary, to insure that the TOC
occupies an even number of pages. It is usually desirable that
all chapters or major sections start on an odd page boundary;
this should insure that that relationship is maintained.
Page 16 3.5 Moving the Table of Contents
Version 2.00 P4PS
3.6 /Pages -- Specify a Page Range
Normally, P4PS prints all pages in a file. Use the
"/Pages:n:m" to limit the output to pages between "n" and "m"
inclusive. If "m" has a value of 0, P4PS will continue until
the end of file:
p4ps /pages:4:10 myfile => print pages 4 through 10 only.
p4ps /p:20:0 myfile => print pages 20 through the end
of the file.
3.7 /UCopies -- Uncollated Copies of Each Page
Use the "/UCopies" switch to specify multiple, uncollated
copies of each page. This is significantly faster than /Copies
because the output is transmitted to your printer only once.
The default is one copy of each page:
p4ps /ucop:3 *.pas => print all "*.PAS" files, 3
pages at a time.
p4ps /uc:10 announce.txt => print 10 copies of an
announcement.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 17
P4PS Version 2.00
4.0 Output Control Options
4.1 /Feed -- Paper Handling Options
The /Feed switch is used to control paper handling. By
default, P4PS will continuously feed paper printing single
sides of each page.
/Feed:Continuous => continuous paper feeding
(default).
/Feed:Manual => totally manually operation;
P4PS will pause the printer
between each sheet -- no on-
screen pause is evident.
/Feed:2pass => P4PS prints the back sides of
all pages in reverse order;
pauses for you to reinsert the
paper; and then prints the
front sides in normal order
(see section 7.4 if your
printer has trouble printing
both sides). This option is
designed for top output bins.
/Feed:2PFlat => Similar to "2pass" except
designed for a flat paper
path.
/Feed:Both => pauses after every other sheet
to allow each page to be
turned over.
/Feed:BOTHFile => similar to "Both" except that
a physical page is started for
each new file.
2-Pass printing may take a little experimenting. Most laser
printers output sheets of paper in the top bin face down. When
P4PS pauses and says "reload paper and hit a key", you would
take printed output from the top bin, rotate it 180 degrees so
the front edge now points rearward, and place it in your paper
bin on top of the remaining blank sheets of paper. Do not flip
the paper as you insert it.
Page 18 4.0 Output Control Options
Version 2.00 P4PS
If your printer does not output top bin face down, you may
have another option (a rear door?) that does come out face
down. If your output comes out face up, use the "/Feed:2PFlat"
option and do not rotate the output when reinserting it;
instead flip the stack side-to-stack.
For example:
p4ps /f:2p myfile => print myfile using 2 passes to
a top bin where output comes
out upside down.
p4ps /f:2pf myfile => print myfile using 2 passes to
a back bin where output comes
out upside up.
4.2 /Output -- Where to Send the Output
Normally, P4PS outputs to PRN. The /Output switch is used to
specify an alternate output device or file specification.
Examples:
p4ps /output:lpt2 => output to printer on LPT2.
p4ps /out:com1 => output to printer on COM1.
p4ps /o:p4ps.txt => output to a disk file.
Note that if output is directed to a printer on a serial port
(COMx:), the port should have been previously initialized via
a DOS MODE command or a custom initialization program supplied
with your printer. See your printer's manual for proper port
setup. (See section 7.4 if you use a print spooler.)
This is an option that you'll probably want to set once and
/CLone into P4PS.EXE -- see section 6.1.
If your PostScript printer is not physically connected to your
PC, you can use this option to output to a file on a floppy,
take the floppy to another PC, and copy it to the PostScript
printer on that machine:
p4ps /o:a:p4ps.txt myfile
...
copy a:p4ps.txt prn
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 19
P4PS Version 2.00
5.0 Formatting Options
5.1 /ACross -- Layout Virtual Pages Across the Sheet
Normally P4PS lays out virtual pages down the physical page.
Use /ACross to layout the pages across instead.
5.2 /BORder -- Selecting the Border Style
Normally, P4PS prints a dropshadow border around each virtual
page of text. Use the /BORder switch to change this:
/BORder:None => do not print a border.
/BORder:Box => print a simple box only.
/BORder:Dropshadow => the default drop shadow
border.
5.3 /COlumns -- Specify Characters Per Line
The /COlumns switch may be used to change the number of
columns per line -- up to 255 (default is 80). Note that the
number of lines per page will change to fill the page.
To print a spreadsheet sideways in landscape mode, print your
spreadsheet to disk as an ASCII file and then issue:
p4ps /np:1 /orient:land /col:255 myspread.txt
-or-
p4ps /pm:20:30/np:1/ph-/vh-/b:n/or:l/col:255 spread.txt
This option only works with ASCII input files.
5.4 Headings -- Displaying Page Headings
P4PS supplies two switches to allow you to customize headings
to be printed across the top of each physical page (/PHeader)
and across the top of each virtual page (/VHeader). Virtual
page headings are printed in a Courier-Bold fixed-pitch font
(scaled down from 11.7 points in single-page mode) and
physical page headers are printed in a 14-point Courier-Bold
fixed-pitch font. The /FOnt switch does not affect the font
used in these headings.
Page 20 5.0 Formatting Options
Version 2.00 P4PS
Both of these switches use a macro language to describe what
should be printed. Most of the macro variables relate to the
current file being printed. Date/time macros have a powerful,
optional format specifier which is described in section 5.4.4.
5.4.1 Header Macros
The following macro variables are recognized in headings:
@FSpec@ => the entire file specification.
@FName@ => the file's name portion only.
@FExt@ => the file's extension only.
@FPath@ => the file's path only.
@FDate[:fmt]@ => the file's date/time of last
modification (see section
5.4.4 for a description of the
optional "fmt").
@PPage@ => the physical page number.
@PTotal@the total number of physical pages (requires
prescanning). =>
@VPage@ => the virtual page number.
@VTotal@the total number of virtual pages (requires
prescanning). =>
@Now[:fmt]@ => the current date/time (see
section 5.4.4).
@@ => actually prints an "@".
@_@ => inserts an "equal number of
spaces" to fill the line; may
be used multiple times to
center, space fill, or right
justify portions of the
headings.
The @PPage@ and @PTotal@ macros return zero (0) if /Booklet
processing is being performed; @PTotal@ and @VTotal@ require
prescanning to determine the totals -- prescanning is
performed on all PostScript files and ASCII files if booklet
or 2-pass processing is selected.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 21
P4PS Version 2.00
5.4.2 /PHeader -- Physical Page Heading
This option selects the format of the physical page header
printed in a 14-point Courier-Bold fixed-pitch font. The
default header is "@FSpec@@_@@FDate@" which prints the full
file specification on the left and the file's last modified
date/time on the right.
This results in a header that might look like:
"C:\PATH\MYFILE.EXT 90-Oct-14 14:00:33"
Examples:
p4ps /ph:'@_@@fname@@_@' myfile
=> prints the current file name
centered on the page.
p4ps /ph'Project X@_@@now@'myfile
=> prints "Project X" on the left
and the current date/time on
the right.
p4ps /ph- => do not print a physical page
header.
5.4.3 /VHeader -- Virtual Page Heading
This option selects the format of the virtual page header
printed in a Courier-Bold fixed-pitch font (scaled from 11.7
points in full-page mode). This header prints within the page
outline. The default header is "File: @FSpec@@_@Page: @VPage@"
which prints the full file specification on the left prefaced
by the word "File: " and the virtual page number on the right
prefaced by "Page: ".
This results in a header that might look like:
"File: C:\PATH\MYFILE.EXT Page: 3"
Examples:
p4ps /vh:'@fname@@_@@fdate@' myfile
=> print the file name on the
left and the file date on the
right.
p4ps /vh- myfile => do not print a virtual page
header.
Page 22 5.4 /PHeader -- Physical Page Heading
Version 2.00 P4PS
5.4.4 Date/Time -- Controlling the Date/Time Format
P4PS allows great flexibility in determining the format that
dates and times are printed in. Both the "@Now@" and "@FSpec@"
macros allow an optional parameter specifying the date/time
format. The following substitutions are made (assuming the
current date/time is February 5, 1991 at 23:14:10):
yy => 2 digit year (91).
yyyy => 4 digit year (1991).
mm => 2 digit month (02).
dd => 2 digit date (05).
hh => 2 digit hour (11 or 23 -- see
below).
mi => 2 digit minute (14).
ss => 2 digit seconds (10).
month => Full month name (february).
mon => 3 letter month name (feb).
doweek => Full name of the day of the
week (tuesday).
dow => 3 letter day of week (tue).
pm => Am/Pm indicator -- results in
"am" or "pm".
p => Am/Pm indicator -- results in
"a" or "p".
All two digit formats (except "yy") will suppress a leading
zero if the format is capitalized -- i.e. "mm" produces "02"
and "MM" produces " 2".
If "month", "mon", "doweek", or "dow" is fully capitalized,
the resultant name is fully capitalized; if only the first
letter is capitalized, the resultant first letter is
capitalized; if they are completely lower case, the result is
completely lower case.
If an AM/PM indicator is present, a 12-hour format is used for
"hh" and the AM/PM will be replaced with the appropriate
letters. The "a", "p", "am", or "pm" is capitalized to agree
with the indicator.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 23
P4PS Version 2.00
The default format is "yy-Mon-dd hh:mi" which produces "91-
Feb-05 23:14".
Format examples:
Doweek, Month Dd, yyyy => "Tuesday, February 5, 1991".
Mon Dd, yyyy Hh:mipm => "Feb 5, 1991 11:14pm".
Dow, Mm/dd/yy Hh:mi:ss => "Tue, 2/05/91 23:14:10".
Dd-mm-yy at hhmi => " 5-02-91 at 2314".
Example of use on /PHeader:
p4ps /ph:'@fspec@@_@@now:Mm/dd/yy:hhmi@' myfile
=> print the full file
specification on the left and
today's date (' 2/05/91:2314')
on the right.
5.5 /Npages -- Virtual Pages Per Page
Use the /Npages switch to specify the number of virtual pages
to print on each physical side of paper. The default value is
4, but this switch may be set to any power of two from 1
through 64. Values over 8 are not readable but are useful in
determining the general layout of a document:
p4ps /np:2 myfile => print 2 virtual pages per
sheet.
p4ps /np:64 mydoc => print 64 virtual pages per
sheet.
Page 24 5.4 Date/Time -- Controlling the Date/Time Format
Version 2.00 P4PS
5.6 /NUmber -- Print Line Numbers
Often it is convenient to number each line of a printed file.
You may specify the width of the line number field as a value
to the /NUmber switch. This value defaults to 3 if not
specified. If the line number field requires more width than
that specified by the width given, the field automatically
expands as needed:
/NUmber => print line numbers in a 3-
column width.
/NUmber:5 => print line numbers in a 5-
column width.
/NUmber- => turn line numbers off if
previously turned on or cloned
into P4PS.EXE.
This option only works with ASCII input files.
5.7 /ORient -- Landscape or Portrait
P4PS normally selects landscape or portrait orientation
automatically to best maintain the aspect ratio of the virtual
page. You can override this selection with the /ORient switch:
/ORient:Automatic => P4PS selects Portrait mode for
1, 4, 16, and 64 virtual pages
per sheet; and Landscape mode
for 2, 8, and 32. (This is the
default and is useful if the
setting has been changed via
DOS SET or /CLone.)
/ORient:Portrait => portrait (upright) printing.
/ORient:Landscape => landscape (sideways) printing.
For example:
p4ps /np:1 /orient:land => /np:1 would normally print in
portrait mode.
p4ps /np:2 /or:p => /np:2 would normally print in
landscape mode.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 25
P4PS Version 2.00
5.8 /PAPer -- Select Paper Style
Use the /PAPer switch to select the type of paper in your
printer. Valid options are:
/PAPer:Letter => 8.5'' x 11'' (default).
/PAPer:LEGal => 8.5'' x 14''.
/PAPer:Double => 11'' x 17''.
/PAPer:Half => 5.5'' x 8.5''.
/PAPer:A4 => 21 x 29.7 cm (8.3'' x 11.7'').
/PAPer:B4 => 17.6 x 25 cm (6.9'' x 9.8'').
This option will be fully implemented shortly.
5.9 /PMargins -- Specify the Physical Page Margins
You can specify the physical page margins, in points (72nds of
an inch) by use of the /PMargins switch. Note that increasing
these values too much may result in some text being lost. The
default values, 46 points in each dimension, provide about
2/3s of an inch all around the printed images. Note that most
PostScript printers will not allow you to print right to the
edge of the paper, so don't try to set these values to 0
unless your input already has margins. Borders and the
physical header may be partially or completely clipped off if
these margins are too small.
For example:
p4ps /pm:20:30/np:1/bord:none/ph-/vh-
=> maximum paper utilization.
p4ps /pmarg:108:108 => 1.5" borders all around.
5.10 /SPread -- Specify Page Spread
Normally, P4PS determines the amount of space to allow between
virtual page images by dividing 32 by the number of images
being printed. Use the /SPread switch to override and specify
the number of points (72nds of an inch) between page images:
p4ps /sp:12:24 => 1/6" laterally and 1/3"
horizontally.
Page 26 5.8 /PAPer -- Select Paper Style
Version 2.00 P4PS
5.11 /TAbsize -- Setting Tab Expansion Size
Use /TAbsize to set the column boundaries for tab expansion.
By default, P4PS expands tabs to 8-column boundaries:
p4ps /tab:4 myfile.c => expand tabs to 4-column
boundaries.
This option only works with ASCII input files.
5.12 /Truncate -- Truncate or Wrap Long Lines
By default, P4PS wraps long lines and prints a "+" in the left
margin to indicate a continuation line. Use the "/Truncate"
switch to truncate long lines instead -- in which case a "+"
is printed in the right margin. If "/Truncate" has been cloned
into P4PS.EXE (see section 6.1), you may revert to wrapping by
using "/Truncate-":
p4ps /t myfile => truncate long lines.
p4ps /t- myfile => wrap long lines (default).
This option only works with ASCII input files.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 27
P4PS Version 2.00
6.0 Customization
6.1 /CLone -- Cloning Options Into P4PS.EXE
You may decide there are certain options you want set all the
time. The most notable of these will be "/Output" if your
printer is not on the DOS PRN device.
Use the /CLone switch to write these options directly to
P4PS.EXE. You must be in the same directory as P4PS.EXE when
using the /CLone option. When P4PS is invoked with /CLone, it
will not process any files; it simply modifies itself and
exits.
The /CLone switch is only available after P4PS.EXE has been
registered:
p4ps /o:lpt2 /number /cl => write the output device and
line numbering options to
P4PS.EXE.
It is possible to create multiple, customized versions of
P4PS.EXE using /CLone. For example, to create a version,
called "FULLPS.EXE", that prints 1 virtual page/sheet with no
borders, no headers, and smaller margins than normal, execute
the following sequence on a copy of P4PS.EXE:
copy \other\copy\p4ps.exe .
p4ps /pmarg:20:30/npage:1/ph-/vh-/border:none /clone
rename p4ps.exe fullps.exe
Note that cloning is cumulative. The only way to start with a
default set of parameters, is to go back to the distribution
copy -- or reset everything manually. Once cloned, P4PS will
indicate that it has been customized.
6.2 DOS SET Command
Alternatively, P4PS will also read an environment variable
named P4PS to determine default settings. The same result as
the /CLone example above could be achieved by placing the
following command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT:
set p4ps=/o:lpt2 /number
Page 28 6.0 Customization
Version 2.00 P4PS
Options specified on the DOS SET Command may be temporarily
ignored by starting a switch with a double slash. The double
slash will not affect options cloned into P4PS.EXE:
p4ps //trunc myfile => ignore the DOS SET Command.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 29
P4PS Version 2.00
7.0 Using P4PS
TM
7.1 DIRECTORY EXTENDED and P4PS
P4PS works very well with ECONO-SOFT's powerful, command-
oriented, directory and file management utility, DIRECTORY
TM
EXTENDED .
DX allows you to perform a verified print, delete-after-print,
or print in a specified sorting order:
dx *.c /run:'p4ps $s'
=> call P4PS for each "*.c" file
in the current directory,
requesting verification first.
dx *.* /run:'p4ps $s'/v-
=> call P4PS for all files in the
current directory without
verification.
dx \proga\*.pas /sort:d-n /run:'p4ps $s /booklet' /del
=> call P4PS in booklet mode for
each "*.pas" file in the
"\proga" directory; the calls
to P4PS are sorted by
descending date and ascending
name; DX requests verification
first before calling P4PS and
then again to delete after
print.
DX has a very powerful file matching engine. You can specify
multiple inclusion patterns (separated by "+") and exclusion
patterns (separated by ";"). Each pattern looks similar to
DOS' wildcards but allows you to place characters before and
after the "*" and have multiple "*"s in each pattern. For
example, the following command will select all filenames
ending in "10" with an extension of ".h" or ".c" and all files
starting with an "n" and ending in "10" with an extension of
".txt". Files starting with "f" or having an "x" anywhere in
their names will be excluded. Files like "abc10.h",
"proj10.c", and "notes-10.txt" would match while "file10.c"
and "projx-10.h" would not match. DX will run P4PS repeatedly
passing each file one-by-one:
dx *10.h + *10.c + n*10.txt ; f* ; *x* /run:'p4ps $s'
Page 30 7.0 Using P4PS
Version 2.00 P4PS
You can further qualify files based on size or date/time
ranges. The following command will select all "proj*.*" files
modified between January 2, 1990 at 6pm and March 14 of the
current year as long as their file sizes fall between 100 and
10000 bytes, sort the list by name and extension ("/sort:ne"),
and call P4PS to print two copies of each file without
verification:
dx proj*.* /since:2-jan-90:1800 /before:14-mar
/size:100:10000 /sort:ne /v- /run:'p4ps $n /cop:2'
TM
7.1.1 DIRECTORY EXTENDED -- Feature Summary
o Full path and hard disk support including logical
drives.
o A very powerful and flexible file-matching engine
allowing multiple wildcards and additional characters
following and between the wildcard characters:
dx *test => matches files ending in "TEST"
like "FILETEST", "XTEST", and
"TEST".
dx a*b => files starting with "A" and ending
with "B".
dx f*1*x.*x => files starting with "F", having
"1" anywhere in their names,
ending with "X", and having an
extension ending in "X" like
"F1AX.X" or "FILL1_XX.AXX".
dx *te?? => any file ending in four characters
of which "TE" is the fourth-to-
last and third-to-last characters
like "TEST" and "FILETEMP".
o Multiple file specifications can be given -- both as
inclusion and exclusion patterns:
dx .bas+.pas;*t
=> will match files with extensions of ".BAS"
and ".PAS" only if their names do not end
with a "T".
dx *t*+my*e;.pas
=> all files that have a "t" anywhere in
their names; AND all files that start with
"my" and end with "e"; UNLESS they have an
extension of ".PAS" -- "MYFILE.EXT",
"TEST", and "XTY.C" would match while
"TEST.PAS" would not match.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 31
P4PS Version 2.00
o DX can search all directories, list all directory
names, and test whether a set of files can fit on a
different disk.
o DX can search any and all Compressed Files (CFs) --
ARC, LBRs, LZHs, PAKs, PKAs, ZIPs and ZOOs -- using
full pattern matching; compare files within one CF to
normal DOS files or files in another CF; rename and
change the date/time of files within some CFs.
o MOVE, COPY, COMPARE, DELETE, and RENAME files across
disks and directories. APPEND files to pre-existing
files. Change file attributes and date/time stamp.
Automatically "Go Bak" to a previous .BAK file. Move or
copy entire directory trees and subtrees maintaining
the directory structure.
o Security conscience? DX can wipe the data in a file
before deleting it... no unerase/undelete program can
recover data that has been wiped. (DX has multiple
wiping options including the Department of Defense's
DoD 5220.22-M specification.) DX can also produce
either a 16-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), a 32-bit
CRC, or a simple checksum of your files for data
integrity checking -- useful in detecting Trojan horses
or verifying files transferred electronically!
o FULL NETWORK SUPPORT! Including the ability to report,
set, and clear the "Network Share" file attribute. DX
has the option to wait for a file that's interlocked on
another network node.
o You can specify exactly which file attributes to
display. See any hidden or system files or hidden
directories.
o You can select files within (or outside of) a specified
range of file sizes and/or dates/times.
o Have you ever received a new disk and wanted to know
immediately what commands are available? An option
displays all ".COM", ".EXE", and ".BAT" files.
o DX can sort files by any combination of filename,
extension, size, date/time, or file attributes --
ascending or descending. Sort files within Compressed
Files (ARC, ZIP, etc.). The sorted output may be across
the screen (or printer) or columnar.
o All of DX's special processing may be verified on a
file-by-file basis (default) or performed
automatically.
TM
Page 32 7.1 DIRECTORY EXTENDED -- Feature Summary
Version 2.00 P4PS
o You can carry all of the extensive pattern and file
matching capabilities into ANY TASK you need to
perform. DX can RUN an external utility or command
synonym against all files selected or generate (and,
optionally, internally execute) DOS batch files for
you. Couple this with the ability to search all
Compressed Files and you can build batch files to
process your entire hard disk. (DX can swap itself out
to give your applications maximum available memory.)
o DX has an extensive set of output formatting options --
including colors, printer formatting, "UPPER", "lower"
or "Initial Caps" cases, 12 or 24 hour time formats,
and screen width, height, and screen-handling options.
o DX is fully customizable -- set your favorite options
once and they will always be used.
o Make decisions in batch files based on the ERRORLEVEL
set by DX -- i.e. if files or disks exist or don't
exist; if files compare; if a copy, move, rename,
delete, etc. was successful or not.
7.2 /TImeout -- Setting Printer Timeouts
Most PostScript output devices support three timeouts --
jobtimeout, waittimeout, and manualfeedtimeout. The job
timeout is of no concern to P4PS -- it determines how long a
single job may execute. The default value, 0, is infinite. The
wait timeout specifies how long the printer should wait for
input if input is delayed for any reason. On slower PCs, P4PS
may spend some time prescanning your file and may exceed this
timeout value. In addition, when using "/Feed:2pass" or
"/Feed:2PFlat" printing, you must reinsert the paper and hit a
key within this wait timeout value. The manual feed timeout is
used when selecting "/Feed:Both" or "/Feed:BOTHFile". The
normal PostScript default is 60 and 30 seconds respectively.
P4PS changes the default timeout to 180 and 60 seconds (3 and
1 minute respectively) and is probably sufficient for most
uses. You can change these timeouts -- or turn them off
altogether -- by using the /TImeout switch:
/timeout:240:240 => set both values to 4 minutes.
/time:0:60 => turn the wait timeout off; set
the manual feed timeout to 1
minute.
/ti:0:0 => turn both timeouts off.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 33
P4PS Version 2.00
7.3 /NETaccess -- Handling Network Conflicts
The /NETaccess switch may be used to determine how P4PS will
handle a Local Area Network conflict ("Sharing Violation" or
"Lock Violation"):
o The default (/NET:Criterr) puts the standard flashing
critical error message at the top of the screen and
allows you to select 'A'bort, 'R'etry, 'I'gnore, or
'F'ail. In addition, selecting 'W'ait switches to the
/NET:Wait mode.
o Selecting /NET:Fail will not give a flashing message at
all, the critical error handler will automatically
return a fail to P4PS resulting in an appropriate error
message.
o Selecting /NET:Wait, you'll get a flashing message that
includes "waiting for network access". In a couple of
seconds, the message will disappear and P4PS will
automatically initiate a retry. If the file is still
not available, the flashing message returns. When the
message is blinking on-screen, you can answer 'A'bort,
'I'gnore, or 'F'ail yourself (if you get tired of
waiting).
/NETaccess:Criterr => default error handler.
/NETacc:Fail => automatic fail.
/NET:Wait => wait for file.
7.4 Usage Tips
o If you use a print spooler, like DMP Software's LaserZ,
please consult the spooler's manual for information on
initializing the printer port. If you use LazerZ, you
should temporarily disable it prior to running P4PS by
issuing the command "LZ /PS-" and reenable it with "LZ
/PS" after running P4PS."
o Some PostScript printers have difficulty printing both
sides of a page -- occasionally crinkling the page when
the second side is printed. To avoid this problem, use
a heavier paper. Strathmore's Legacy 24 pound paper has
a smooth finish on both sides and works very well for
printing both sides.
Page 34 7.3 /NETaccess -- Handling Network Conflicts
Version 2.00 P4PS
7.5 Future Enhancements
Features under future consideration include:
o 4-fold pamphlet processing -- like a greeting card.
o EPSON emulation and support for extended IBM Graphics
characters (would allow line drawing).
o Signature processing -- to allow printing a portion of
a booklet.
o Paper selection options to handle other paper sizes --
A4, Legal, etc.
You can influence the development of P4PS by:
1. Registering and supporting P4PS.
2. Sending in your suggestions and feature requests.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 35
P4PS Version 2.00
Page 36 7.5 Future Enhancements
Version 2.00 P4PS
Appendix A. Quick Reference
Options:
/ACross => layout virtual pages across instead
of down the page.
/Booklet:keyword => turns on booklet processing;
select: "Custom", "Fullpage"
(default), or "Dropshadow".
/BORder:keyword => specify the border: "None", "Box",
or "Dropshadow" (default).
/CLone => clone current options into P4PS.EXE
(must be registered).
/COlumns => specify number of columns per line
(default is 80).
/Copies:n => number of collated copies of each
file.
/Feed:keyword => paper handling: "Continuous"
(default), "Manual", "2pass",
"2PFlat", "Both", or "BOTHFile".
/FOnt:Name => specify a font other than Courier.
/Help => display help screens.
/Mode:keyword => select file processing mode:
"Automatic" (default), "AScii",
"Ps", "Wp5", or "Vp2".
/NETaccess:keyword => network conflict handling:
"Criterr", "Wait", or "Fail".
/Npages:n => specify the number of virtual pages
per physical page to be printed.
/NUmber:n => print line numbers using a field
width of "n" ("n" defaults to 3).
/ORient:keyword => specify "Landscape", "Portrait", or
"Automatic" (default).
/Output:spec => output to device or filespec.
/Pages:n:m => limit output to pages "n" through
"m".
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 37
P4PS Version 2.00
/PAPer:type => select paper type: "Letter"
(default), "LEGal", "Double",
"Half", "A4", "B5".
/PHeader:'header' => specify the physical page header.
/PMargins:x:y => specify the physical page margins
in 1/72nds of an inch
(default=46:46).
/SPread:x:y => specify the space in 1/72nds of an
inch between pages (default is
based on /Pages).
/TAbsize:n => specify the tab size (default=8).
/TImeout:w:m => specify the "wait" and "manualfeed"
timeouts (default=180:60).
/TOCFrom:text => specify "text" to locate the
beginning of the Table of Contents.
/TOCTo:n => specify the page number for
placement of the TOC.
/Truncate => truncate long lines.
/UCopies:n => number of uncollated copies.
/VHeader:'header' => specify the virtual page header.
/VPScale:x:y => allows scaling a Ventura Publisher
image.
Page 38 Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT
Version 2.00 P4PS
Header Macro Variables (for use with /PHeader and /VHeader):
@FSpec@ => the entire file specification.
@FName@ => the file's name portion only.
@FExt@ => the file's extension only.
@FPath@ => the file's path only.
@FDate[:fmt]@ => the file's date/time of last
modification (see section 5.4.4 for
a description of "fmt").
@PPage@ => the physical page number.
@PTotal@ => the total number of physical pages
(requires prescanning).
@VPage@ => the virtual page number.
@VTotal@ => the total number of virtual pages
(requires prescanning).
@Now[:fmt]@ => the current date/time (see section
5.4.4).
@@ => actually prints an "@".
@_@ => inserts an "equal number of spaces"
to fill the line; may be used
multiple times to center or space
fill headings.
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 39
P4PS Version 2.00
Date/Time Format (for use on @FDate@ and @Now@ Header Macros):
yy => 2 digit year (91).
yyyy => 4 digit year (1991).
mm => 2 digit month (02).
dd => 2 digit date (05).
hh => 2 digit hour (23).
mi => 2 digit minute (14).
ss => 2 digit seconds (10).
month => Full month name (february).
mon => 3 letter month name (feb).
doweek => Full name of the day of the week
(tuesday).
dow => 3 letter day of week (tue).
pm => Am/Pm indicator -- results in "am"
or "pm".
p => Am/Pm indicator -- results in "a"
or "p".
All two digit formats (except "yy") will suppress a leading zero if
the format is capitalized -- i.e. "mm" produces "02" and "MM"
produces " 2".
If "month", "mon", "doweek", or "dow" is fully capitalized, the
resultant name is fully capitalized; if only the first letter is
capitalized, the resultant first letter is capitalized.
If an AM/PM indicator is present, a 12-hour format is used for "hh"
and the AM/PM will be replaced with the appropriate letters. The
"a", "p", "am", or "pm" is capitalized to agree with the indicator.
Page 40 Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT
Version 2.00 P4PS
Appendix B. Registration Form
If you find P4PS useful, please send your registration fee. This
payment is the only incentive to continue to produce quality
software at affordable prices. Please support the ShareWare concept
and send a registration fee of $49.95 (includes a printed manual).
Also, whether you use P4PS or not, please pass P4PS.EXE and
P4PS.DOC on to as many people or bulletin boards as possible.
Dealer inquiries welcome. See the file ORDER.FRM for a 15% discount
when ordering two or more ECONO-SOFT products at the same time.
Corporate licenses available -- see the file LICENSE.FRM. ECONO-
SOFT offers a 30 day, no questions asked, money-back guarantee.
Name: __________________________________ Date: ____/____/____
Address: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________________ State: _____
Country: ___________________________ Zip/Postal Code: __________
Phone: _______________________ E-Mail: _______________________
Version: ________ My Copy From: ________________________________
I am enclosing $______ ($49.95 minimum -- includes a printed
manual) to help support P4PS. Texas residents please add 8% sales
tax. International orders, please add $10 in US funds.
Please charge my credit card as indicated:
Master Card or Visa # _____________________________ Exp ___/___/___
Signature ________________________________________________________
Please address all orders and correspondence to:
ECONO-SOFT CompuServe [73267,1664]
P.O. Box 181030 InterNet: 73267.1664@CompuServe.COM
Austin, TX 78718-1030 512-832-1675, 800-367-7590
Please give any comments you can think of about P4PS. What are its
best features? Do you have any suggestions for future development?
(use the back if necessary)
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 41
P4PS Version 2.00
Page 42 Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT
Version 2.00 P4PS
Index
/ACross 20 border selection 20
/Booklet 13 Both 18
/BORder 20 both sides 34
/CLone 28 BOTHFile 18
/COlumns 20 bound 13
/Copies 14 box 20
/Feed 18
/FOnt 14 C
/Mode 15 cloning 28
/NETaccess 34 columns 20
/Npage 13 command format 6
/Npages 24 CompuServe 5
/NUmber 25 configuration See:
/ORient 25 customization
/Output 19 Continuous 18
/Pages 17 Courier 1, 14
/PAPer 26 crinkling 34
2pass 18 Criterr 34
2PFlat 18 critical error 34
/PHeader 13, 20, 22 Custom 13
/PMargins 13, 14, 26 customizing 28
/SPread 13, 14, 26
/TAbsize 27 D
/TImeout 33 dates 23
/TOCFrom 16 defaults See:
/TOCTo 16 customization
/Truncate 27 Directory eXtended 31
/UCopies 17 TM
/VHeader 13, 20, 22 DIRECTORY EXTENDED 30
/VPScale 11 DOS MODE command 19
DOS SET Command 7, 29
A Double 26
A4 26 drop shadow 20
Ami Pro 10 Dropshadow 14
ASCII 9, 14, 15 DX 30, 31
ASP 6
Association of Shareware E
Professionals 6 environment variable 28
Automatic 15
F
B Fail 34
B4 26 FDate 21
booklet 4, 13 feature summary 1
BORder 13 Feature Summary - DX 31
border 20 FExt 21
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 43
P4PS Version 2.00
fixed pitch 1 P
fixed-pitch 14 P4PS_REG.EXE 3
FName 21 page headings 20
font 1, 14 page range 17
FPath 21 paper 34
FSpec 21 paper handling 18
Fullpage 13 piping 7
point 1
G points 26
GEM 12 portrait 25
PostScript 9, 14
H PPage 21
Half 26 prescanning 13
headings 20 print spooler 34
PRN 19, 28
I Ps 15
installation 3 PSCRIPT 10
InterNet 5 PTotal 21
J R
jobtimeout 33 READ.ME 3
registering 5
L
landscape 25 S
LaserZ 34 serial port 19
LEGal 26 ShareWare 5
Letter 26 sharing violation 34
LICENSE.FRM 3 site licenses 3
line numbers 25 smooth finish 34
line width 20 Sprint 11
lock violation 34 STANDARD.FMT 11
Lotus Manuscript 10 stapled 13
M T
macro language 21 table of contents 15
Manual 18 timeout 33
manualfeedtimeout 33 times 23
margins 26 TOC 15
MicroSoft Windows 10 truncate 27
MicroSoft Word 11
MicroSoft Word for U
Windows 10, 11 uncollated copies 17
multiple copies 14
V
N Ventura Publisher 11
network conflicts 34 Vp2 15
Now 21 VPage 21
VTotal 21
O
ORDER.FRM 3 W
orientation 25 Wait 34
output device 19 waittimeout 33
wildcard 7
WordPerfect 12
Page 44 Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT
Version 2.00 P4PS
WordStar 12 wrap 27
Wp5 15
Copyright (C) 1991, Robert K. Blaine/ECONO-SOFT Page 45