Visual ^e Local Printing

 

This function provides direct printing from a multivalue database system to any printeravailable to a PC running the Visual ^e Internet Client.

 

Typically, database systems have been allowed to control the way that reports were printed from a multivalue database.  Specifically, the SP-ASSIGN command (a Terminal Control Language, or “TCL,” command) was used to tell the database engine where to direct the printed output.  If a program was run from TCL with the parameters “(P” or “(LPT” following the program name—for instance, MAIL.LIST (P—all printed output was directed to the printer assigned by the database command “SP-ASSIGN.”  Internally, in data basic programs, the “PRINT ON” and “PRINT OFF” commands were used to initiate and conclude transmissions to the printer.  Moreover, the printer was, as a rule, connected through a network printer or hard-wired printer attached to the server parallel or serial ports.  For database systems running dumb terminals, an auxiliary port off the terminal could be used to attach a printer in a method known as “Aux Printing.” 

 

All these variations of controlling the printerworked fine—except when it came to providing the flexibility expected of today’s PCs.  For instance, users accessing multivalue databases remotely over the Internet or Local Area Network would often prefer to use the printer located closest to them.  But, in order to do this, the printer first has to be defined for use by the PC.  This proves impossible, however, since the client software that grants access to the database also controls the location of printing.  In a sense, then, the database’s hands have be tied.  Currently, only the Visual ^e Internet Client can provide this processing capability.