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-
- PRINT.LBR is a substantial extension to ENCOL.LBR, contained in SIG/M
- volume 206. ENCOL contained programs which would fold a file onto itself,
- so that it could be listed in two (TWCOL), three (THCOL) or four (FOCOL)
- columns. Many files, particularly assembly listings or tables of data,
- occupy only a few lefthand columns on each page, which means that a two-,
- three-, or four-fold saving of paper would result from a multiple column
- listing. Additionally, more compact listings are easier to consult for
- reference or cross checking.
-
- ENCOL also contained a program for listing on both sides of the paper,
- resulting is a further saving in paper, and convenience for consulting
- bound listings. Basically it counted out the number of lines per page as
- it sent them to the printer, withholding the even-numbered pages for a
- second run after the paper had been turned over.
-
- All of these programs were presented in two versions, one for the Intel
- 8080 and one for the Intel 8086, using the corresponding CP/M operating
- systems. PRINT also contains two versions, one for each of these CPU's.
-
- PRINT introduces a new type of listing, in which multiple files may be
- listed side by side for purposes of comparison. Two (TWFIL), three (THFIL),
- or four (FOFIL) files may be shown as parallel strips on the same sheet
- of paper.
-
- Experience has shown that assembly listings can be doubled up, and still
- retain a significant portion of their comments, if the compressed mode
- of 16.5 characters per inch which is available on many printers is used.
- This is particularly convenient when the listings are prepared for archival
- purposes. If the comments can be sacrificed, Intel 8086 assembly listings
- can be reproduced in three columns, while Intel 8080 assembly listings
- are still intelligible in the four column format.
-
- Further space saving is possible - 25% more - if the listings are prepared
- at eight lines per inch rather than the customary six lines per inch. For
- the programs TWFIL, THFIL, or FOFIL this does not matter, but TWCOL, THCOL,
- and FOCOL must take account of the number of lines which will be printed
- on each page in order to do their folding correctly. Consequently a switch
- has been incorporated in this new version of these programs to choose
- between the two different line densities.
-
- Finally, the page printing program, formerly PRINTDO, has been thoroughly
- reorganized. It, too, admits a switch to choose between six or eight lines
- per inch, so that either format can be handled by the same program. It is
- now called simply PRINT, and through another switch setting can be made to
- handle either single sided printing or double sided printing. Many times
- a two-sided printing was ruined when an interruption occurred when the job
- was half done, so another switch has been included which allows printing
- only front sides, or only back sides.
-
- With the advent of squeezed programs and libraries of programs whose
- members might plausibly also be squeezed, there is a tendency to endow
- programs with the capability to work directly with these alternative
- formats. In common with some other contributions to SIG/M, we have used
- parentheses to indicate indirect references, and as a sort of "area code"
- when referring to libraries. Thus, if a somewhat intricate print job is
- contemplated, a Command Line File (extension CLF) may be built up, and
- then executed by indirect reference.
-
- Let us suppose that some assembly listings are present, both squeezed
- and unsqueezed, with some of them in a library X.LBR, and some of them
- regular files on the disk. Suppose also that the file Y.CLF contains
- the following two lines:
-
- A.ASM,B.ASM,C.ASM
- ((X) G.AQM),((X) H.AQM)
-
- Then, the following lines give some examples of the use of PRINT:
-
- PRINT A.ASM - A.ASM at 6 lines, 2 sides
- PRINT A.AQM - supposing A was squeezed
- PRINT [8] *.ASM - all ASM files at 8 lines, 2 sides
- PRINT [8S] A.ASM,B.ASM - A.ASM and B.ASM, 8 lines, 1 side
- PRINT [B] ((X) *.AQM) - backsides of all squeezed ASM's
- in the library X.LBR, 8 lines/inch
- PRINT [B] ((B:X) *.AQM) - but library is on disk B
- PRINT [8] (Y) - assemblies A,B,C, and squeezed
- A and B in X.LBR [see Y.CLF]
- PRINT (X),D.ASM - as above, plus D.ASM, at 6 lines
- PRINT (B:Y) - command line file is on disk B
- PRINT B:*.* - everthing <except> .COM, .CMD,
- or .LBR on disk B at 6 lines/inch
- [hopefully no other binary files]
- PRINT - print a tutorial message
-
- Further information about the programs comprising PRINT.LBR can be found
- in the assembly programs comprising the individual members. Generally
- speaking, each program will present sufficient information for its use
- by giving it a null command line. This feature is particularly useful if
- one is not just sure about the form of the correct command line, or if one
- has forgotten the switches.
-
- To prepare the lines that follow, this much of PRINT.DOC has been subjected
- to each of the six programs TWCOL, THCOL, FOCOL, TWFIL, THFIL, FOFIL. Of
- course, the last three programs would normally be used on distinct files
- and not on the same repeated file. In each case a few lines of the composite
- file is shown to illustrate the corresponding program.
-
- TWCOL PRINT.DOC -8
-
- PRINT.LBR is a substantial extension to ENCOL.LBR, conta- With the advent of squeezed programs and libraries of pr-
- volume 206. ENCOL contained programs which would fold a - members might plausibly also be squeezed, there is a ten-
- so that it could be listed in two (TWCOL), three (THCOL)- programs with the capability to work directly with these-
- columns. Many files, particularly assembly listings or t- formats. In common with some other contributions to SIG/-
- occupy only a few lefthand columns on each page, which m- parentheses to indicate indirect references, and as a so-
-
- THCOL PRINT.DOC -8
-
- Further space saving is possible-
- PRINT.LBR is a substantial exten- at eight lines per inch rather t- Then, the following lines give s-
- volume 206. ENCOL contained prog- the programs TWFIL, THFIL, or FO-
- so that it could be listed in tw- and FOCOL must take account of t- PRINT A.ASM -
- columns. Many files, particularl- on each page in order to do thei- PRINT A.AQM -
-
-
- FOCOL PRINT.DOC -8
-
- Experience has shown tha- With the advent of squee- PRINT [B] ((B:X)-
- PRINT.LBR is a substanti- retain a significant por- members might plausibly - PRINT [8] (Y) -
- volume 206. ENCOL contai- of 16.5 characters per i- programs with the capabi- -
- so that it could be list- This is particularly con- formats. In common with - PRINT (X),D.ASM -
- columns. Many files, par- purposes. If the comment- parentheses to indicate - PRINT (B:Y) -
-
- TWFIL 4.LIB=PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC
-
- PRINT.LBR is a substantial extension to ENCOL.LBR, conta- PRINT.LBR is a substantial extension to ENCOL.LBR, conta-
- volume 206. ENCOL contained programs which would fold a - volume 206. ENCOL contained programs which would fold a -
- so that it could be listed in two (TWCOL), three (THCOL)- so that it could be listed in two (TWCOL), three (THCOL)-
- columns. Many files, particularly assembly listings or t- columns. Many files, particularly assembly listings or t-
- occupy only a few lefthand columns on each page, which m- occupy only a few lefthand columns on each page, which m-
-
- THFIL 5.LIB=PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC
-
- PRINT.LBR is a substantial exten- PRINT.LBR is a substantial exten- PRINT.LBR is a substantial exten-
- volume 206. ENCOL contained prog- volume 206. ENCOL contained prog- volume 206. ENCOL contained prog-
- so that it could be listed in tw- so that it could be listed in tw- so that it could be listed in tw-
- columns. Many files, particularl- columns. Many files, particularl- columns. Many files, particularl-
- occupy only a few lefthand colum- occupy only a few lefthand colum- occupy only a few lefthand colum-
-
- FOFIL 6.LIB=PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC,PRINT.DOC
-
- PRINT.LBR is a substanti- PRINT.LBR is a substanti- PRINT.LBR is a substanti- PRINT.LBR is a substanti-
- volume 206. ENCOL contai- volume 206. ENCOL contai- volume 206. ENCOL contai- volume 206. ENCOL contai-
- so that it could be list- so that it could be list- so that it could be list- so that it could be list-
- columns. Many files, par- columns. Many files, par- columns. Many files, par- columns. Many files, par-
- occupy only a few leftha- occupy only a few leftha- occupy only a few leftha- occupy only a few leftha-
-
- -------------------------------------------
-
- PRINT.COM and PRINT.CMD <are> specialized for ports 0FAH and 0FBH, of the
- Godbout System Support, or equivalent ports on an Interfacer card. The
- port assignments are assembly parameters - <data> and <status>. The
- subroutine <lpw> in each program can be replaced by a BDOS call in a system
- for which a satisfactory printer BIOS is installed.
-
- -------------------------------------------
-
-
- [end]
- [Harold V. McIntosh, 27 December 1985]
-