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...
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.
QuoteYes, 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
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.
It is preferable to write this in MASM.
Manos.
QuoteNo, 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
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.
Sounds great guys :U
Though i'd like to participate in this, atm the amount of free time i have is close to zero :(
Wow this will be great.
OK Donkey.
I agree with you.
Manos.
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.
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
I don't really understand - what is a "usage report printer"?
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
Hi all,
What´s about the evolution of this library?
Thank you.
ipadilla
I do a lot of printing with most of my programs.
The problem that I have is the programs will work on printer manufacture A but not
on printer manufactures B thru Z.
Then there is the resolution problem. What fills a whole page on my printer
fills a 3rd of a page on printers B thru Z. Is it a problem of the cheap printers
or a programming problem or both?
Regards,
JPS
Hi shankle,
I would like to know what´s the metho you are using to get all the parameters (scape sequences). Are you using a Access database or something similar to collect the scape sequences for all the most important printers in the marker?. How do you select different printers?. I remember that I worked on this theme in VB some years ago.
ipadilla
Hi Ipadilla,
I write all my programs for an HP officejet printer. I don't do anything with scape
sequences. I don't use any database. I don't have any way of finding out about
different printers. I would guess from what you say that the lack thereof is
probably my problem. However I don't have the resources to rectify the problem.
JPS
<ESC> sequences were necessary in the "old days" under DOS when you had direct access to the hardware. Under more modern operating systems such as Windows, you have to rely on the system's APIs which then uses the installed printer drivers.
If the proper driver is available for the printer you want to use, it's "simply" a matter of advising the operating system of your choice and printing should then be the same for all installed printers. Unfortunately, I have not yet looked into that area and do not presently know how to do it. :( :(
This would be one of the many details to work on when the project gets under way. :clap:
Raymond
Hi Raymond,
Thank you for replying. I´m afraid I´m anchored in the past. If I understand you well, the best way for this programming is using API´s. I have searched on the web and there is not too much information about MASM32 printers programming. I have found some examples in C++.
ipadilla
The example program in \masm32\examples\exampl02\showdib\ is supposed to print bitmaps, but it does not work on my system.
Yeah, it doesn't work for me, either. Is any of this stuff tested before used?
Paul
; Get printer DC
; --------------
Invoke RtlZeroMemory, ADDR pd, SizeOf pd ;+ <===
MOV pd.lStructSize, SizeOf pd ;+ <===
MOV EAX,hInstance ;+ <===
MOV pd.hInstance,EAX ;+ <===
MOV pd.Flags,PD_RETURNDC or PD_SELECTION ;+ <===
mov eax,hWnd
mov pd.hWndOwner,eax
invoke PrintDlg, ADDR pd
;============================================
printed small
regards
six_L,
That is a very nice repair job. You mentioned that it prints small, it does, but if you stretch it to fit the window (Show -> Stretch to Window) it will fill the entire printed page! It probably is even more adjustable, just no time to play with it right now.
But thanks for the fix, just goes to show, structures are meant to be filled correctly.
Paul
I have developed my own Busines Basic run-time that has the logic to handle printing. It is written in MASM32, can handle multiple fonts, multiple pages, line drawing etc.
This runs in Console Mode, uses the Windows API calls, so as not to be printer dependent. The source is not HLA but is extremely well documented. I would gladly share any printing logic I have developed. I would gladly appreciate anyone who has an example of printing graphics (pictures) in MASM32.
Kenn
kennGough@gmail.com
I have never tried to print graphics. Howevere, based on my successful attempts to print text, here's what I would try:
- Get the DC where your graphic resides (srcDC)
- Create the printer DC (destDC)
- BitBlt (or StretchBlt) from the srcDC to the destDC
- Send it to the printer
Chib wrote a brilliant Rich Edit XXX LIB
implementation some years back - source and all
is public domain I think ............ ::)
http://www.chib.boom.ru/
Might help here and there for pinching an idea. :U
Draakie
This is an example how 2 print text and pictures to a printer
It's a stripped version from my other sources but it does the job
Have fun, Siekmanski