Using the "file" option with -PQ

[fp at casabellagallery.com]

Mike wondered:

> When I setup a *clerk or *report menu line with the -PQ option, on any
> version of filepro and any OS, what determines which subdirectory the file
> will end up in?  Is that stored if the config file someplace?  Is it
> controlled differently on DOS vs. Unix systems?
> 
>      Is there a PFxxx variable that I can use to change that subdir?

I believe the variable that determines that is PFTMP


1.0      PFTMP=directory         Identifies where to place temporary
                                 files. Make sure that the directory exists.

>      Can I control which options a user sees on the menu that -PQ displays?
> For example, if I don't want them to see the "file" option, can I suppress
> that?  

I guess you could but you will need to do a bit of work

1) Create multiple config files
2) Set PFCONFIG to point to the file with options accordingly

or

1) Write filePro file to load printers and drop them as needed
   and give list to choose from (I think Nancy has a utility for
   this).  Should not be difficult to do this!

>      Conversely, if I want to offer them a "fax" option off of the -PQ menu,
> is there a way to do that?

Yes, add fax as an option in you config file.

> 
>      I'm quite familiar with PFprinter, lpdest and so forth, but I haven't
> played with the -PQ option much, and I can't find any documentation about
> exactly how -PQ works.

Remember that

 Environment Variables: Path & Disk-location

4.8      PFCONFIG=path           Overrides default path for config where
                                 the default path is /fp/lib/config.
                                 (Need to use the full path)

-pq will extract list of defined printers from the default config file or
that which is pointed to by PFCONFIG and list them for user to choose 
output destination.


All that said, I have never used -pq.  Almost in every environment I've ever
worked, users were limited or were allowed to print to specific printers.  So,
I simply kept a filePro file profiling all output destination.  When a report
needed to be printed, if report was allowed to be sent to an optional printer,
I will then give user option list.  Otherwise, report will simply print where
configured to.

This approach has given me lots of power and flexibility on how I control
output devices or options, cross-profile users, departments, reports and devices.
Most of my filePro experience has been developing for companies with multiple
locations, multiple departments within each location and there for, output
destination needed to be kept on a short leach.

Hope this information points you in the right direction!

Regards,


Jose Lerebours
(954) 559-7186
http://www.fpgroups.com