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1991-03-20
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CALIBRATE - Program to Create and Configure a BasePrinter Stream
----------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Sadowsky
TurboPower Software
1/90
Version 1.0
Released to the public domain
Overview
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The main purpose of CALIBRATE is to illustrate how to best choose a printer
test number for BiosPrinter instances. It is also useful for creating a stream
file that contains the calibrated BasePrinter (BiosPrinter or DosPrinter).
When configuring a BiosPrinter, CALIBRATE has the ability to determine the
appropriate printer test number to use with the given printer. This is a nice
feature, since printer tests are a touchy issue!
This program is intended as an example of how auto printer test selection can
be implemented. Since it is public domain, you may do with it what you wish,
but be warned - it is a sample program by design and may not be up to
production quality!
Running CALIBRATE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When CALIBRATE is run, you are first prompted for the stream file name. If you
specify a filename that already exists, you will be asked if it should be
overwritten.
After specifying a filename, you enter a data entry screen. The first question
is "Use Bios Services?" This is a True/False field. If True is specified (the
default), then CALIBRATE will create a BiosPrinter object. If False is
specified, then a DosPrinter will be created. Your answer to this question
will dictate which remaining fields on the entry screen are required.
Configuring DosPrinter's
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you specify False to the Use Bios Services field, then you will be asked
for a printer name. This name may be any valid DOS filename (optionally
including drive and path), or any DOS character device (PRN, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3,
NUL). This is all CALIBRATE needs to know about a DosPrinter.
Configuring BiosPrinter's
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If True is specified for Use Bios Services, then you will be asked for the LPT
number of the printer. Enter 1 for LPT1, 2 for LPT2, or 3 for LPT3. No other
numbers are valid choices. The proper selection of the port is especially
important if the "Auto Test Selection" feature is used (see below).
The final field prompts for a printer test number. The printer test number is
used by a BiosPrinter instance to determine if a printer is ready, and whether
a printer operation succeeded or failed. Valid printer test for Object
Professional 1.00 are in the range of 0..4 (see OPPRNLOW section of OPRO
manual for more information on the meaning of the printer test number). While
the cursor is on this printer test field, you may press F10 to have CALIBRATE
perform its "Auto Test Selection."
Auto Test Selection for BiosPrinter's
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determining a printer test that will work for a given hardware setup can be a
difficult chore. CALIBRATE can attempt to select an appropriate printer test
for you. In order to do so, it needs your help. You will be asked to create
certain conditions related to the printer, and press a key when those
conditions have been created. It is important that you do create the exact
condition asked for, or the automatic test selection may not work.
The first printer condition you are asked to create is "online and ready with
paper loaded." The next condition is "offline" (sometimes referred to as
"selected"). The offline state means that printer is powered on, but not
selected. The next condition prompted for is "out of paper." This means you
should place the printer online again (selected), and remove the paper. The
final condition is "powered off." This means the printer is turned off
completely.
The auto test selection works by applying each printer test while the printer
is in each of the conditions. It stores the results, and when the test is
complete they are analyzed. This is done by assigning a weight to each of the
conditions. For each printer test, the list of results is scanned, adding the
weight for each test that properly determined the state of the printer. The
printer test with the highest score is deemed to be the best test. There is a
minimum score that must be surpassed, or no test will be considered
acceptable. In this case, you will be informed of this condition (through a
"dialog window") and zero will be placed in the printer test field (zero
indicates not to use a printer test).
The reason why the printer conditions are given weights is to properly
evaluate the importance of each test. It is mandatory that the test be able to
determine when a printer is online and ready. In order to be acceptable, the
printer must also be able to detect whether the printer is offline or out of
paper. The powered off condition is given a very low weight since the results
of the Bios Printer Status function call are undefined for a powered off or
non-existent printer.