Print Library

[donkey]

Hi All,

After looking around a bit I have found that there is a definite lack of library functions for printing. I am currently working on a project that needs to print reports and there are no good libs written in ASM for printing. Now I realize that ASM is not the platform for this, maybe C or even VB would be well suited as speed is definitely not an issue, but I was thinking that a report printer lib would be a good idea. After all, any serious business applications anyone is likely to do must be capable of printing at least a usage report.

So I am asking for volunteers, how about we write a report builder that is entirely written in ASM. Your particular assembler is not important as I would like to translate it for the "big 4", MASM, GoAsm, FASM and RosAsm. Yes, I have included RosAsm, even though Betov and I hate each other, I grudgingly agree that his assembler has the potential for greatness if he would only listen to his critics every once in a while.

So the first thing we have to do is work on a standard, that is what do we need for a great report and how do we define it in an application.

Even if you have no ideas, please voice your opinion (a "Hi there" will do) so I can at least judge how interesting the idea is...

[Bieb]

Hmm, I've never really worked with printers before.  If you post a sort of to-do list thing on the internet, I may occasionally have time to help out with some of the menial coding duties, and perhaps an occasional flash of inspiration.

[raymond]

Yes, I have included RosAsm

I have been under the impression that Betov was absolutely against the use of libraries!!! Has he changed his mind?

Anyway, count me in on your team. I have been doing some experimentation lately with printing although it is still only with Win98. I'll have the opportunity to check the code with ME2000 and WinXP (and other printers) only at the end of April.

Raymond

[donkey]

No, RosASM does not support libraries but since the source will be available I can't see any problem there.

I have begun a small report generator that I will post as soon as I get it working properly, I am hoping that the community can keep adding to it. For my current application it is about all I need but if we can generalize it enough it should make a nice start. Probably post it on Sunday night.

[Manos]

It is preferable to write this in MASM.

Manos.

[raymond]

No, RosASM does not support libraries but since the source will be available I can't see any problem there.

Does that mean that he doesn't support any of the Windows libraries either??
Or is it only static libraries which he doesn't know how to link???

Raymond

[donkey]

Hi Manos,

I am a GoAsm user, though I plan to translate what I have to MASM eventually. For now however I have to continue in GoAsm as my code is not easily portable to MASM. Lib functions can be in any language you like as long as it compiles to a MASM compatible OBJ file,that is that the assembler can output the decorated export names (ie _MyFunc@4) which GoAsm is capable of doing. Once in OBJ format, they can be linked by MS Link into a lib file, GoLink does not produce libs. In all likelyhood I will be submitting my stuff in GoAsm format with an attached MS compatible OBJ file.

Hi Raymond,

He does not support static libs, but I hope to have Beyond2000! translate the lib. I like Guga and he has previously expressed interest in this type of library. It is a shame that Betov is such a maroon and keeps the project firmly entrenched in the 1970's.

[Ghirai]

Sounds great guys :U

Though i'd like to participate in this, atm the amount of free time i have is close to zero :(

[Farabi]

Wow this will be great.

[Manos]

OK Donkey.

I agree with you.

Manos.

[00100b]

Although I haven't enough experience (or skill  :wink) with ASM at the moment, this would be something that I would be very interested in.  Both using and hopefully, eventually contributing to.

It may be addressed in later phases, but the ability to not only print reports, but to export them to some commonly used formats (ie, Excel, HTML, etc.) would be awesome.

[pbrennick]

Donkey,
There is a definite need in this area and I can help translating it to masm, though I fear I am not too dependable.

Paul

[AeroASM]

I don't really understand - what is a "usage report printer"?

[LeXTeRiTY_X]

Would be great Donkey...

...just a question though: Will it be Windows-based DC or one free of using them?
(CreateDC drives me up the wall sometimes.) :tdown

-X

[ipadilla]

Hi all,
What´s about  the evolution of this library?
Thank you.
ipadilla