Printing in the local printer

Question

Hello all,
We are converting an SQLForms 3 application(SCO unix DB Server) to web application(10g AS Linux, 9i DB SUN Solaris,10g Forms).
We have to print a file stored in the AS/DB server in the local machine's printer.Searched a lot but in vain.
Can anyone suggest a solution..?
Thanks in advance..
Jeneesh

Answer 1

What i had tried, is just very simple,
1) create a java class, PrintWrapperjava.java as
package print;
import oracle.forms.ui.*;
import oracle.forms.properties.*;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
public class PrintWrapperjava extends VBean
     private static final ID FILECONTENTS = ID.registerProperty("FILECONTENTS");
     private static final ID PRINTER = ID.registerProperty("PRINTER");
     private static final ID PRINT = ID.registerProperty("PRINT");
     private StringBuffer fileContents= new StringBuffer();;
     private String printerName;
     public boolean setProperty(ID id, Object value)
try
{  if (id == FILECONTENTS)
fileContents.append(value.toString());
System.out.println("File Contents : " + value.toString());
return true;
else if(id==PRINTER)          {
     System.out.println(" PRINTER : " + value.toString());
     printerName = value.toString();
return true;     
return super.setProperty(id, value);
catch (Exception e)
{   e.printStackTrace();
return false;
public Object getProperty(ID id)     {
     if (id == PRINT) {
          try{
               FileOutputStream printerOutput = new FileOutputStream(printerName);
               byte[] toByteArray = fileContents.toString().getBytes();
               printerOutput.write(toByteArray);
               printerOutput.flush();
               printerOutput.close();
               fileContents = new StringBuffer();
               return (Object) "Printing Success";
               catch(Exception e)     {
               System.out.println("Exception has occured " + e.getMessage());
               return (Object) "Printing Failure due to : "+ e.getMessage();
return super.getProperty(id);
2) Create a jar, and then sign it.
3) From forms,
you need to supply, the fileContents and the printerName, and Print, event will trigger the action.
like
1) create a bean area, set its impl class as print.PrintWrapperjava
2)
set_custom_property('BN_PRINT',1,'FILECONTENTS',v_file_contents);     
set_custom_property('BN_PRINT',1,'PRINTER',v_share_printername_wrt_client);
v_msg := GET_CUSTOM_PROPERTY('BN_PRINT',1,'PRINT');
message(v_msg);
message('');
This has lots of limitations.. but could serve as just a starting point.
All the best !!
Regards
Deepz : )