Re[2]: Preview of SQR reports -Reply

[gadiy@sun4.miti.com]

     Raymond,
     
     1. Yes, SPF is platform independent.
     2. Yes, you can create output in SPF format on the HP-UX.
     3. Yes, SQR3 is now available for HP-UX and Windows.
     
     The following text is taken from the SQR3 User's Guide:
     
     SQR allows you to create a printer-independent output file. Even if 
     your report has a variety of fonts and graphics, you can print the 
     report on a number of different printers.
     
     When you choose printer-independent output, SQR creates a file in SPF 
     (SQR Portable Output File) format. The default extension for this type 
     of file is .SPF instead of the usual .LIS extension.
     
     You gain a good deal of flexibility by using SPF files:
     You can run a report and postpone the decision of printer type until 
     print time. For example, you can distribute the SPF file 
     electronically without knowing the type of printer that each 
     recipient has. The recipients of the report can use the SQRP program 
     (described below) to print on their printers.
     
     You can use a PostScript viewer to preview the output of your report 
     even if the report is designed for an HP printer. You do this by 
     creating an SPF file, rendering PostScript for viewing, and rendering 
     HP LaserJet (PCL) for printing.
     
     You can view, search, or E-mail the text portions of a graphic output 
     by rendering a line-printer output.
     
     You can separate the printing from the report execution. For example, 
     you might want to run the report on the database server computer and 
     then print it on another computer (the print server computer). The 
     overhead associated with producing the graphics will be shifted to the 
     other computer.
     
     SPF Files and SQR for Windows
     
     Since SPF files can be produced by SQR on any platform, you can take 
     advantage of the Windows printing capabilities even though you created 
     the SQR report on another platform. 
     For example, you can run a report on a UNIX server and then print the 
     output on a PC using Windows.
     
     When you direct SQR for Windows to print using Windows printer 
     drivers, there is normally no output file created. The output goes 
     directly to the printer. If you use the -KEEP flag, SQR will save the 
     output as an SPF file. This allows you to view and re-print the 
     report on Windows.
     
     Requesting an SPF file
     
     To create an SPF file, use the -KEEP or -NOLIS command line flag. With 
     the -KEEP flag you can generate a printer-specific output file (a .LIS 
     file) and keep the SPF file as well. With -NOLIS you will create only 
     SPF files.
     
     If you do not care to have the SPF file, do not specify these command 
     line flags. SQR will create the printer-specific output directly.
     
     The SQR Print (SQRP) program
     
     Once you have created the SPF file you are ready to prepare it for 
     printing. The SQRP program renders the printer-specific language such 
     as PostScript or PCL. For line printers, 
     SQRP will filter out the graphics.
     
     Viewing SPF files
     
     To view the SPF file on UNIX you can use SQRP to create line-printer 
     or PostScript output. 
     The PostScript output may be viewed using a PostScript viewer.
     To view the SPF file on Windows, use the SQR Viewer. 
     
     
     Gadi Yedwab,
     MITI


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Preview of SQR reports -Reply
Author:  usa.net!sqr-users@netcomsv.netcom.com at Internet
Date:    5/19/95 8:44 AM


>>
Using SQR3, it is possible to create a .SPF file, which is a printer 
independent file.  Then, using SQRViewer, you can view the report file in 
almost WYSIWYG format.  I say almost, because there are a few items
that you cannot view under Windows.  I don't recall all of them, but 
barcodes are one, EPS files are another.
     
SQRPrint can be used to print the SPF file to the output device of your 
choice, including HPLaserJets (subject to font and memory requirements 
of course).
     
Under 2.x versions of SQR, I never could find a solution to view 
HPLaserJet output files in WYSIWYG.
<<
     
Matthew,
     
Thanks for your reply.  I want to know more about SQR3.  Is SPF file 
platform independent, i.e, if I can create it under HP-UX and view it under 
Windows?  Is SQR3 availbale now in HP-UX and Windows?
     
Raymond