PDF Support Overview

9.6A

PDF support has been seamlessly implemented into the Advanced Print operations in existing PLB programs. The intent is that existing PLB programs using the Advanced Print instructions can have the print {device} name specified as 'pdf:' or '!pdf:' for a PRTOPEN instruction. In addition, the {jobname} specifies the file name for the PDF output. These are the minimal changes required for existing PLB programs to generate a PDF file output.

The Sunbelt PDF support is implemented based on the guidelines as defined by the PDF 1.4 specifications. By default, PDF compression is turned on for PDF output. Also, encryption, embedded fonts and attachments are implemented.

Sunbelt PDF Features

1. Implemented to PDF support based on a PDF 1.4 specification. This means that a PDF reader that supports the 1.4 level can read the Sunbelt PDF output.

2. Embedded fonts optionally supported. Only TrueType fonts are supported. Embedded fonts are not on by default.

3. Encryption is optionally supported. Encryption is not on by default.

4. Compression is supported. Compression is on by default.

5. Attachments are supported.

6. All PRTPAGE controls are supported for PDF output.

7. PDF support implemented for Windows runtimes, Linux runtimes, Application Server runtimes (Windows\Linux), and Windows clients.

8. Advanced Print PDF output is supported local to the Application Server system.

9. Advanced Print PDF output is supported for Windows CE runtimes and clients. (PLBWCENE and CLIWCENE).

10. Attachments, Fonts, and PDF output can be used in conjunction with a Data Manager.

11. The number of pages in a PDF is limited to 10,000,000 pages.

12. Page index support is used for quick page access by PDF readers.

13. The maximum size for PDF output is 4GB.

Note the following:

1. The PDF output can be invoked using one of the following methods when using direct PRINT or SPLOPEN instructions:

 

1. Direct PRINT operations using screen definition file specified by the 'PLB_TERM' keyword in the runtime INI file.

 

In this case, the 'makedef' utility can set the screen definition 'Default Printer Device' to be one of the following:

 

:f:filename.pdf

or

pdf:

 

2. Direct PRINT operations using a default printer device specified using the 'SETMODE *DEFPRT' keyword.

 

In this case, the 'SETMODE *DEFPRT' keyword sets the default printer device to be one of the following:

 

:f:filename.pdf

or

pdf:

 

3. Use SPLOPEN with a new mode 'F' option that causes PDF output to the {name} specified for the output file.

 

In this case, use the 'F' option in the SPLOPEN instruction as follows:

 

SPLOPEN "filename.pdf", "F"

or

SPLOPEN PFILE; "filename.pdf", "F"

 

4. SPLOPEN using the 'pdf:' printer device.

 

In this case, use the 'pdf:' device name for the {name} specified in the SPLOPEN instruction. When this SPLOPEN is executed, a Windows standard file prep dialog appears to allow an end-user to select a PDF file to be used for PDF output. The following shows an example of SPLOPEN with 'pdf:' being used:

 

SPLOPEN "pdf:"

or

SPLOPEN PFILE; "pdf:"

See Also: PDF Support, Printer Instructions