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Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

Title:DECWINDOWS 26-JAN-89 to 29-NOV-90
Notice:See 1639.0 for VMS V5.3 kit; 2043.0 for 5.4 IFT kit
Moderator:STAR::VATNE
Created:Mon Oct 30 1989
Last Modified:Mon Dec 31 1990
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3726
Total number of notes:19516

2782.0. "Printer Format questions" by FRSTSC::ERLEMANN (Bedman strikes back) Thu May 17 1990 11:18

Hi,

I have a general question about the 'Printer Format' feature. It is gener-
ally described in the Upgrade and Installation Procedures Manual, pg 10-8
to 10-9.

A customer of us has no doubt about the functionality of the described
stuff but has general questions about the format names. He asks for a
closer description of them, respectively 1)the difference between 'ANSI'
and 'ANSI2' and 'TEXT'. 

2) What do print formats like 'Line Printer' and 'Terminal' corporate?

3) PostScript, ReGIS and Tektronix are self-explaining, but the final
question - wherefore stands 'DDIF' print format?


As I was asked this questions I was quite astonished; such easy questions
with no spontaneous chance for answering them - or not?

Is there any advice for a closer description of the mentioned stuff?
I have read/searched through the standard DECwindows documentation without
any hint.


Many thanks in advance

	Armin Erlemann
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2782.1Your customer has every right to be confused...XUI::VANNOYJake VanNoyThu May 17 1990 18:4923
I complained about this long and hard during V1, didn't get too far.

Below is a segment of a long memo (and reply) detailing my issues with the print
widget at the time.  The date is June, 1988.

-----------------

    Text, Line Printer, Terminal, ANSI, ANSI2.  I've been around VMS
    for 8 years, and was responsible for the terminal driver and dealing
    with text and terminals for 2 or 3 years of that time, and I have no
    idea what the difference in these is.

<I've been working with [people in VMS] on
<standardizing print formats:
<Text is printing characters only (any software can process)
<Line Printer is bolding (and underling) by overstriking
<Terminal is bolding and underlining using SGR (SELECT GRAPHIC RENDITION)
<ANSI is ANSI Level 3 (corresponding to the LN03 and LN04 and ANSI translator)
<ANSI2 is ANSI level 2 (corresponding to the LA75, LA100/LA210 mono-spaced)

----------------

This is the stuff good user interface is made of, eh?
2782.2Dumb looks are free...SCAM::DIALFri May 18 1990 10:412
    At least now, we can explain it when asked.
    Thanks!
2782.3Context-sensitive help helpsRTL::WWALKERMy name is Will W.Fri May 18 1990 16:55159
    The first part of this is what you will get if
    you try context sensitive help.
    
    The second part is from an early PW help file.
    
    Will
    
    -=-=-=-
    
3  print_formats_box
=TITLE Print Format
=KEYWORD Formatting
 Files contain different character sets and data types.
 Each data type has a unique format. The Print Format
 list box allows you to describe what kind of data is in
 the file. The Print Widget then interprets that data,
 formats the data, and prints the file.

 A highlighted format in the Print Format box is the
 default format unless you change it. The following
 formats are available in the Print Format box:

 Format Name    Data Type             Data Translation

 Text           ANSI Level 0          Text-only

 Line Printer   ANSI Level 1          Overstrike for
                                      emphasis

 Terminal       -                     -

 ANSI2          ANSI Level 2          ANSI data
                                      including select
                                      graphics rendition
                                      (SGR) converted
                                      by the ANSI
                                      translator.

 ANSI           ANSI Level 3          ANSI data
                                      including the
                                      LN03 and LN04
                                      ANSI translator
                                      for PostScript
                                      printers.

 PostScript(R)  PostScript(R)         PostScript program
                                      data processed by
                                      the PostScript
                                      interpreter
                                      without
                                      conversion.

 ReGIS          ReGIS                 ReGIS command data
                                      converted by the
                                      ReGIS translator.

 Tektronix      Tektronix             Tektronix graphics
                                      command data
                                      converted by
                                      the Tektronix
                                      translator.

 DDIF           DDIF                  Revisible-format
                                      images, generic

    
    -=-=-=-=-
    
3  Text
=TITLE Text
 Generally the default if we can't determine that it is
 one of the other formats.

 ISO Latin1 character set.

 Does not contain: underline/bold, escape sequences or
 <BS>.

 Control characters present: <CR>, <LF>,<HT>, and <FF>.

 Prints on all printers, except LP27 when non-ASCII
 (accented letters) used.

3  Line_printer
=TITLE Line_printer
 ASCII character set.

 Uses overstrike for underline/bold.

 Control characters present: <CR>, <LF>,<HT>, and <FF>.

 Intended for use on impact line printers to show
 emphasis. Bolding, but not underline, is lost on other
 printers.

3  Terminal
=TITLE Terminal
 ISO Latin1 character set.

 Uses SGR for underline/bold.

 Control characters present: <CR>, <LF>,<HT>, and <FF>.

 Intended for viewing on terminals, but works on all
 printers, except LN01 and LP27.

3  ANSI2
=TITLE ANSI2
 ISO Latin1 character set.

 Uses SGR for underline/bold.

 Has page positioning functions, mono-spaced text, and
 SIXEL graphics for LA75, LA100/210 series of printers.

 DEC Level 2 of ANSI ANS X3.64 standard.

 Prints on any ANSI Level 3 Printer and any
 Postscript(R) printer (using the ANSI Translator).

3  ANSI
=TITLE ANSI
 ISO Latin1 character set.

 Uses SGR for underline/bold.

 Has page positioning functions, proportional-spaced
 text and SIXEL graphics.

 Does NOT contain ReGIS or Tek4014.

 DEC Level 3 of ANSI ANS X3.64 standard.

 Prints on LN03 and any PostScript(R) printer.

3  PostScript
=TITLE PostScript
 PostScript(R) Page Description Language,registered by
 Adobe Systems, Inc.

 Contains string "%!PS-Adobe-"

3  ReGIS
=TITLE ReGIS
 ReGIS graphics protocol.

 Contains 'enter ReGIS mode escape sequence' consisting
 of "<ESC> P [0-3] p".

3  Tektronix
=TITLE Tektronix
 Tektronix graphics protocol for 4010/4014.

3  DDIF
=TITLE DDIF
 Digital Document Interchange Format (Revisible).

 You should format the document before printing it.

2782.4Last QuestionFRSTSC::ERLEMANNBedman strikes backTue May 22 1990 09:3112
    Thank you all so far,
    
    let me ask a last question: What about the Printer Format logical
    for PostScript printers?
    
    My customer accepted the replies but is still missing the syntax
    for the PostScript logical.
    
    
    Thanks
    
    	Armin
2782.5DECW$PRINTER_FORMAT_PSRTL::GRASSSteve GrassTue May 22 1990 10:310