Is it possible to re-direct the output of a print queue to be saved in a file instead of being printed on the printer? If so, how can I do this?

There is not a simple YES to the question.

To be able to give a correct answer, I need
to know what your problem is. What problem
does "print to file" solve ?

Hazem,

Hakan and I (if my memory serves correctly) had an extended discussion on this very subject just a short time ago (see "Creating a Queue" by JWulli, last entry 10/5/2004).

Rather than reproduce the entire discussion, I will start by suggesting that you take a look at that thread of postings. We can then take it from there.

I hope that the above is helpful.

- Bob Gezelter

Bob,

I don't fully agree with you on this one....

The problem is that Hazem doesn't explain WHY its necessary to print to file.

Is it a one time thing ?
What kind of files, TEXT...Postscript... ?

I use the TELNET-RELAY feature as "Print to File" when I troubleshoot formattingproblems. But that is on a one-time basis and includes manual intervention.

Hakan,

I fully agree. My reference to the earlier dialogue was to avoid retracing all of the issues covered in the earlier discussion.

To be sure, what Hazem is trying to accomplish needs to be further explained.

- Bob Gezelter

Dear all,

Thanks for your concern. The problem simply that one customer has an industrial application running under VMS, and there is a print queue that output some sort of alaram and notification messages continuously to a printer. The customer needs to save the printout of that printer, as the messages are not that important, and he needs to redirect such output to be saved in a file for fuure reference, while he may need to delete such file on periodical basis.
I hope that the image is clear now so that I can get an answer.
Regards.

Hazem

Hazem,

I start to see the sun behind the clouds, but not fully........ ;-)

I need some more information...

Is the specified printqueue used by other users or for other printjobs ?

Do you want the messages both to be printed and saved to file ?

Is TCPIP used in the specific VMSmachine ?

and please supply a SHOW QUEUE/FUll 'queue'

/Hakan

Hazam,

Are you totally sure that the output is being sent to a print queue?

If I understand your last posting correctly, data is being sent CONTINUOUSLY to a printer. This would seem to indicate that the output is being sent directly to a printer, not through a print queue.

If this is the case, there are some solutions. However, there is likely a need to still display information on an urgent basis, not just stored in a file.

Please let me know if this understanding is correct.

- Bob

youo probably want the print /nodelete option and save the file that was sent to the printer. the default is to delete what was printed. Be aware, that the same filename will get an increasing version # and the ods file system only allows for a max version # of 32766 or is it 32767. I would suggest a daily routine to archive the already printed files to, say, a directory named for the date the files were printed. this would keep the versions restarting at 1 each day. I would suspect it unlikely that this application prints over 32k alerts daily. if it does, schedule the archive say midnight and again at noon, more frequently if needed.

I hope this helps.

Larry