Using PrintPages in Programs

A feature of the Sunbelt PL/B Designer is the ability to create PL/B source files that can output information using the Visual PL/B advanced print instructions. These instructions (PRTOPEN, PRTPLAY, and PRTCLOSE) provide a page type of output as opposed to a line by line output that is done when using the PRINT instruction. Additionally, the advanced print instruction provide support for a number of new printing options and includes graphics support.

The Designer automates the task of generating the PRTPAGE instructions. The position of objects and various property settings are included in the generated file.

Once you have completed the design of a printpage with the Designer and have saved it to disk, you are ready to incorporate it in a PL/B program. To use the printpage source, simply include the file generated in your program. The logic in the printpage file defines options that set the page properties. Each object on the printpage is also printed as defined by the user.

Once the source has been included in the program, simply compile and execute the program.