BUG? dmoedef asks for Alignment Form Y/N even on non-forms

Jay R. Ashworth jra at baylink.com
Mon Jan 3 15:24:29 PST 2005


On Mon, Jan 03, 2005 at 03:40:29PM -0500, Nancy Palmquist wrote:
> Jay R. Ashworth wrote:
> > This one was spotted by the boss, on site, so I'm not 100% sure of the
> > details, but something to try:
> > 
> > SCO 4.8 on SCO 5.0.x.
> > 
> > If your report format is a standard report, filePro can't print an
> > alignment form for it, which is reasonably sensible.
> > 
> > But dmoedef *asks if you want one*.  At least dreport correctly fails
> > to prompt you.  Should not dmoedef *fail* to ask, in situations where
> > one cannot be printed anyway?
> 
> I would say that it should ask.  In the case where the output is 
> directed to a device, it is a resonable option even on Unix.  How would 
> dmoedef know how you intend to direct the output?

I believe you've missed my point.

> It is somewhat useless when the output is spooled but is you put it in a 
> report and the user understands that it will create a few trash pages 
> that will give them time to align the printer, it can still be useful.

Yep.

The issue is not "-P device" versus spooled output.

The issue is "Report type: Form" vs. "Report type: report".  If the
latter is true, then dreport *will not print the alignment pattern*.

Since dreport won't print it, and dmoedef *knows* that it's not a form,
then dmoedef should not be prompting for it; it's confusing.  "I know I
set it; there it is: why isn't it *printing*?"

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth                                                jra at baylink.com
Designer                          Baylink                             RFC 2100
Ashworth & Associates        The Things I Think                        '87 e24
St Petersburg FL USA      http://baylink.pitas.com             +1 727 647 1274

      If you can read this... thank a system adminstrator.  Or two.  --me


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