Sending raw text to a printer

I'm trying to write a program which reads in a plain text file, adds a line to the top of it and then sends it to the printer. This line is a set of controls which the printer knows what to do with and it sets up the layout etc. of the paper.

First of all, the file is being produced no problems and comes out exactly right. I have already sucessfully completed a Java version which runs and works perfectly, and they create identical files so I know that that's not the problem... so it must be somewhere in the sending.

So, starting from scratch, how do you print in VB given that you have a filename "myFilename".

Incidentally, the line that I have to add is as follows (escape is char27):
escape + "E" + escape + "&l1H" + escape + "&l26a1O" + escape + "9" + escape + "&l0l6d12e36F" + escape + "(s0p10H" + escape + "&a3L"

VB Code:

Open "C:\PRN" For Output As #1
Print Chr(27) & "E" & Chr(27) & "&l1H" & Chr(27) '& ....and so on...

but you can not use a printer with usb port or network printer by using these codes...i dont know otherwise how to send these to the printer....
just give a try

VB Code:

Printer.Print Chr(27) & "E" & Chr(27) & "&l1H" & Chr(27) '& ....and so on....

basically to print from a file

VB Code:

FileNum = FreeFile
        Open myFileName For Input As #FileNum
        Do While Not EOF(FileNum)
            Line Input #FileNum, OneLine
            Printer.Print OneLine
        Loop
        Close (FileNum)

printer.print doesn't work. I'll probably shoot myself if I've just missed an import or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Insaneogram

printer.print doesn't work

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are you getting any error?

There's no printer class. I've looked through the object library. Is it a .net thing?

no, that is vb 6.0 only...and you can open the printer object without any reference or components...

Ok well what it's telling me is that Printer is not declared

unbelivable....just open a new project and in the code window write

VB Code:

Printer.Print "Hai"
Printer.EndDoc

and see what happens when you execute it...

Printer not declared...

could you find it in the object browser, by pressing F2 key you can get the object browser and type printer in the search box and hit enter, see if you find any class there in the name of printer....

No, not in the object browser. I'm using MS VB 2005 Express edition from a Microsoft Partner pack if that helps at all.

The other solution is to find a native compiler for Java that can handle printers, since my Java program worked fine on the virtual machine. This is my first time using VB.

sorry no idea, i never used vb 2005 express

Where can I get a version that will allow printer.print?

vb 2005 express is really vb dot net, so while someone here may know and be able to answer, you are really in the wrong forum and more likely to get an answer in the vb.net forum

i have no idea how to print in dot net

pete

Using a PRINTER object with an ESCAPE sequence is a losing battle. The print driver gets in the way of ESCAPE sequences.

You need to have that printer accessed as a file or maybe with some kind of "generic text" print driver (they are available - I've seen my customers use them).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by szlamany

You need to have that printer accessed as a file or maybe with some kind of "generic text" print driver (they are available - I've seen my customers use them).

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Windows has a Generic printer "manufacturer". One of those printers is a "Generic Text Only" printer. Just install a new printer, choosing Generic as the manufacturer and Generic Text Only as the model.

That's exactly what I meant - thanks!

Where do I get proper VB

you dont need to change the version of your vb, just post your query in vb.net forum to get the answer..

I did

This is seriously giving me the ****s now

please see the following thread:

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=401045


all is there.

all the best