Creating text file from SQL with adding counter in Filename.

Hi,
I have a requirement for creating the Tesxt files from Oracle DB which i can achieve by ODISQLUNLOAD.
But tricky part is that i want have a file name+ counter such that Counter should start with 1 for the first file of the day, then 2,... and reset to 1 for every new date.
e.g. file0001, file0002,file0003,file0004,.... file0100 and so on for one day.
But when i will create a file on next day it should be created as again file0001, file0002,file0003,file0004,.... file0100 and so on.
I may be able to achieve this using some variables but unable to think how could i achieve this.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks and Regards,
Mahesh

Hi Mahesh,
If the files are loaded as one batch process, for instance, by executing a single package, you could perform a looping function and store the counter as a variable. It would be very similar to the blog post here: https://blogs.oracle.com/dataintegration/entry/using_variables_in_odi_creatin - but you would be using the #counter variable in your filename. Each day that the package is run, the counter starts at 1.
Hope this will fit your needs.
Enjoy!
Michael R.

Similar Messages

Create XML file from ABAP with SOAP Details

Hi,
I am new to XML and I am not familiar with JAVA or Web Service. I have searched in SDN and googled for a sample program for creating XML document from ABAP with SOAP details. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything.
I have a requirement for creating an XML file from ABAP with SOAP details. I have the data in the internal table. There is a Schema which the client provided and the file generated from SAP should be validating against that Schema. Schema contains SOAP details like Envelope, Header & Body.
My question is can I generate the XML file using CALL TRANSFORMATION in SAP with the SOAP details?
I have tried to create Transformation (Transaction XSLT_TOOL) in SAP with below code. Also in CALL transformation I am not able to change the encoding to UTF-8. It's always show UTF-16.
<xsl:transform xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" xmlns:sap="http://www.sap.com/sapxsl" version="1.0">
<xsl:template match="/">
    <SOAP:Envelope xmlns:SOAP="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/">
      <SOAP:Header>
        <CUNS:HeaderInfo>
          <CUNS:InterfaceTypeId>10006</InterfaceTypeId>
          <CUNS:BusinessPartnerID>11223344</BusinessPartnerID>
          <CUNS:SchemaVersion>1.0</SchemaVersion>
          <CUNS:DateTime>sy-datum</DateTime>
        </CUNS:HeaderInfo>
      </SOAP:Header>
      <SOAP:Body>
        <xsl:copy-of select="*"/>
      </SOAP:Body>
    </SOAP:Envelope>
</xsl:template>
</xsl:transform>
In ABAP program, I have written below code for calling above Transformation.
call transformation ('Z_ID')
       source tab = im_t_output[]
       result xml xml_out.
call function 'SCMS_STRING_TO_FTEXT'
    exporting
      text      = xml_out
    tables
      ftext_tab = ex_t_xml_data.
Please help me how to generate XML file with SOAP details from ABAP. If anybody have a sample program, please share with me.
Is there any easy way to create the XML file in CALL Transformation. Please help.
Thanks

Try ABAP forum, as it seems not to be PI related.

Creating text file from table

Hi all
I have a table LFA1 with headers LIFNR, MANDT, NAME1, NAME2, ...., . That table contains data and I need to create text file that collects all headers with all data, where each field is separated by TAB.
thanks for your help.

Here is program for KNA1.
*"Table declarations...................................................
tables:
kna1.                              " General Data in Customer Master
*"Selection screen elements............................................
select-options:
s_kunnr for kna1-kunnr.            " Customer Number 1
*" Type declarations...................................................
types:
begin of type_s_customer_details,
    name        like kna1-kunnr,
    address     like kna1-adrnr,
    title       like kna1-anred,
    createdon   like kna1-erdat,
    createdby   like kna1-ernam,
end of type_s_customer_details.
Internal table to hold General Data in Customer Master data         *
data:
t_customer_details type table
                       of type_s_customer_details
                     with header line.
                      START-OF-SELECTION EVENT                      *
start-of-selection.
perform select.
*&      Form select
This subroutine selects information from database and exports the    *
data into presentation layer                                         *
There are no interface parameters to be passed to this subroutine. *
form select .
select kunnr
          adrnr
          anred
          erdat
          ernam
     into table t_customer_details
     from kna1
    where kunnr in s_kunnr.
if sy-subrc ne 0.
    write : / 'DATABASE SELECTION FAILED'.
else.
    call function 'GUI_DOWNLOAD'
      exporting
BIN_FILESIZE                    =
       filename                        = 'd:\customer_details.txt'
       filetype                        = 'ASC'
APPEND                          = ' '
WRITE_FIELD_SEPARATOR           = ' '
HEADER                          = '00'
TRUNC_TRAILING_BLANKS           = ' '
WRITE_LF                        = 'X'
COL_SELECT                      = ' '
COL_SELECT_MASK                 = ' '
DAT_MODE                        = ' '
CONFIRM_OVERWRITE               = ' '
NO_AUTH_CHECK                   = ' '
CODEPAGE                        = ' '
IGNORE_CERR                     = ABAP_TRUE
REPLACEMENT                     = '#'
WRITE_BOM                       = ' '
TRUNC_TRAILING_BLANKS_EOL       = 'X'
IMPORTING
FILELENGTH                      =
      tables
        data_tab                        = t_customer_details
FIELDNAMES                      =
     exceptions
       file_write_error                = 1
       no_batch                        = 2
       gui_refuse_filetransfer         = 3
       invalid_type                    = 4
       no_authority                    = 5
       unknown_error                   = 6
       header_not_allowed              = 7
       separator_not_allowed           = 8
       filesize_not_allowed            = 9
       header_too_long                 = 10
       dp_error_create                 = 11
       dp_error_send                   = 12
       dp_error_write                  = 13
       unknown_dp_error                = 14
       access_denied                   = 15
       dp_out_of_memory                = 16
       disk_full                       = 17
       dp_timeout                      = 18
       file_not_found                  = 19
       dataprovider_exception          = 20
       control_flush_error             = 21
       others                          = 22
    if sy-subrc <> 0.
      write : / 'Upload Failed' , sy-subrc.
    else.
      write : / 'Upload Completed'.
    endif.
endif.
endform.                               " SELECT

Problem in creating text file from report file

Hello Everybody...
I have problem in creating text file.
I had set System Parameter as below
DESTYPE : File
MODE : Character
DESNAME : gayu.txt
And ruler setting
Units : Character Cells
Character Cell Size : Horiziontal = 7
Vertiacle =12
GridSpacing : 1
no of snap points per grid spacing : 1
but when i run report it will give error
"REP_1219 M_2 or R_2 has no size -- length or width zero"
so is there any solution of that
or another way to convert report into text file?....

Hi Folks,
Please don't go after that Error as its a very deceptive one. Please don't go for altering your design Or changing the size of items in your layout.
Similar errors I have come across in reports. I think its due to file transfer type. You might have transferred the file in Binary and your File Mode I am seeing it as CHAR.
This normally happens while making the Report Format as "Text". Either you change that format which I think is possible in your case as your basic requirement is making a report output of CHAR type.
Please check for this error in Metalink and proceed accordingly. I could fix similar errors when I changed Format type to PDF(from text).
Regards
Shibu

Seeking simple example pl/sql to create text file from table data

hello,
I am hoping someone can provide very simple example of creating a file on my local harddrive using a pl/sql program. The basic steps are as follows:
First, I store some text in a varchar2 variable like this:
1. select sometext into otextvar from mytable where recordid = 1;
Second, I want this text to become a file in my data directory:
2. c:\data\sometext.txt
The second step is where I need help.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Use this function
It will create for you a file in your /home/oracle directory with sysdate name and will insert all table names in it
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE my_proc AS
CURSOR cursor1 IS
SELECT table_name from all_tables;
CURSOR cursor2 IS
SELECT sysdate from dual;
rec1 cursor1%ROWTYPE;
rec2 cursor2%ROWTYPE;
created_file_name VARCHAR2(100);
file_name utl_file.file_type;
BEGIN
OPEN cursor2;
LOOP
FETCH cursor2 INTO rec2;
EXIT WHEN cursor2%NOTFOUND;
created_file_name:=rec2.sysdate;
file_name := utl_file.fopen('/home/oracle', created_file_name,'W');
OPEN cursor1;
LOOP
FETCH cursor1 INTO rec1;
EXIT WHEN cursor1%NOTFOUND;
utl_file.putf(file_name, '%s\n',rec1.TABLE_NAME);
END LOOP;
utl_file.fclose(file_name);
END LOOP;
END my_proc;
SQL>exec my_proc;

How to create PDF files from word with non-selectable content

Hi folks,
I am creating a PDF from a newsletter in Word (using print to Adobe PDF).
I have checked the options available in the printer, but there are none that seem to allow this.
I want to prevent the recipent from being able to click on obvious graphic objects e.g. signatures, within the newsletter and copy them to clipboard. I appreciate you can do this still with a screen capture, but I want to make it difficult.
Is this possible?
TIA

That looks like it should work, but it doesn't.
I opened the PDF I had created from Word in Acrobat (X Pro). Went to File > Properties. Selected "Change Settings". I then enabled "Restrict editing...", set a password, set "Printing Allowed" to "none", "Changes Allowed" to "none", and ensured that "Enable copying of text..." was disabled.
I saved the PDF file, closed Acrobat, opened the PDF in Reader, and I was still able to select text and graphical objects.
I reopened the PDF in Acrobat, and the document summart still shows everything as allowed. When I click on "show details" (from File > Properties) it shows the correct settings.
Any ideas?

Create text file from form data

I need to create a form using dreamweaver and coldfusion. We
do not have coldfusion server. just Dreamweaver 8. Until we decide
what application server we will use, I need to create a text file
each time a user submits data from a form and put the data into a
text file. What would be the best way to handle this?

if you do not have an application server like CF or PHP or
ASP (or
other) to process your form submissions, you should look for
a perl/cgi
script that can do it for you. i remember from awhile ago a
script
called bnbform from bignosebird.com ... it is used for
emailing form
submissions to a designated email address, but if i remember
correctly
it also stored form data in a text file....
Azadi

Create XML file from SQL trigger

I have to create a XML file of a record when a certain column of table Absences is updated. I have the following bcp command in the (after update) trigger :
bcp "select absences.HID, absences.Amount,absences.Itemcode,absences.Itemcount, absences.[Description],absences.PRocessnumber, Cicmpy.ID from absences inner join cicmpy on cicmpy.cmp_wwn = absences.HID where absences.Type = 110 for
XML RAW (''Order''), ROOT (''Orders''), ELEMENTS XSINIL" QUERYOUT "c:\filename.xml" -T -SJR8512\sql2008 -c -d100'
When the trigger is fired, the table get's a lock, so the file isn't created. What am I missing?

As Russ says: Service Broker is exactly what you want. The trigger would put a message on the Service Broker queue. (And the message would be the XML document created from the inserted/deleted tables.) In the other application you would have an activation
procedure that processes the message.
If you have never worked with Service Broker, this book is an excellent start:
http://www.amazon.com/Rational-Server-Service-Broker-Guides/dp/1932577270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399411944&sr=8-1&keywords=wolter+service+broker
Also, bookmark Remus Rusanu's blog:
http://rusanu.com/blog/
Lot's of tips there.
Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, [email protected]

Producing text file from PL/SQL procedure (UTL_FILE)?

Hi,
I need to produce a text file from a PL/SQL procedure. My output should be a little over 38K records and my query has 70 fields. I'd like to separate the fields by pipe delimiters in the text file. I can either concatenate all 70 fields into one variable for each record or send all 70 fields over with a pipe, whichever is easier. It looks like I can't spool within PL/SQL but UTL_FILE might be an option from what I'm reading. Does anyone have any good, simple example(s) to produce a text file using this package in calling multiple fields from a LOOP? Our os is UNIX and db is Oracle 9i.
Also, I've read that UTL_FILE has a record output of 1,023 bytes. Is this for each record line or the whole file size? I belive the max # of characters for each line wouldn't exceed 500 characters. The 38K rows I have for the data set would be well over 1MB. If this is the case, is there a work around to produce a larger text file?
Any suggestions and/or examples would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Eric

Assuming the goal is to create a text file on the database server, you can use UTL_FILE here. Each line can be 1023 characters, but you can have as many lines as you'd like.
Tom Kyte has an example here
http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/ask/f?p=4950:8:::::F4950_P8_DISPLAYID:235814350980
Justin
Distributed Database Consulting, Inc.
http://www.ddbcinc.com/askDDBC

Generating Text files from PL/SQL

To generate Text files from PL/SQL on SERVER, i can use UTL_FILE
package, but how do i create text files on client ( i.e., on the
C: drive ) by executing anonymous PL/SQL blocks.
Thanks in advance.

You can use DBMS_OUTPUT to display stuff to the screen and the
SQL*Plus SPOOL command to write screen output to a file on your
local drive.
magic!
APC

I was given an assingment, but have no idea where to begin. The assingment is to create a text file using notepad with all of my digital inputs and some how make those imputs show up on my digital indicators on my control pannel

I was given an assingment, but have no idea where to begin. The assingment is to create a text file using notepad with all of my digital inputs and some how make those imputs show up on my digital indicators on my control pannel.
When it was explained to me it didn't sound to hard of a task, I have no LabVIEW experience and the tutortial sucks.

StevenD: FYI, I did NOT give you the one star rating. I would never do that!
StevenD wrote:
Ow. Someone is grumpy today.
Well, this is an assignment, so it is probably homework.
Why else would anyone give HIM such an assigment, after all he has no LabVIEW experience and the tutorials are too hard for him?
This would make no sense unless all of it was just covered in class!
This is not a free homework service with instant gratification.
OK! Let's do it step by step. I assume you already have a VI with the digital indicators.
"...but have no idea where to begin".
open notepad.
decide on a format, possibly one line per indicator.
type the document.
close notepad.
open LabVIEW.
Open the existing VI with all the indicators.
(are you still following?)
look at the diagram.
Who made the program?
Does the code make sense so far?
Is it a statemachine or just a bunch of crisscrossed wires?
Where do you want to add the file read?
How should the file be read (after pressing a read button, at the start of the program ,etc.)
See how far you get!
Message Edited by altenbach on 06-24-2008 11:23 AM
LabVIEW Champion . Do more with less code and in less time .

Can I create pdf files from Outlook 2003 messages with Acrobat XI Standard?

Can I create pdf files from Outlook 2003 messages with Acrobat XI Standard?

Yes, Outlook 2003 is compatible with Acrobat XI Standard and you can create PDFs from emails.
For reference: http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/compatible-web-browsers-pdfmaker-applications.html

Generating Text file from table using Shell script

I am using KSH for generating and FTPing a text file from a table.
While generating Text file I am not getting my Column names in orderly manner.
q2="select COLUMN1||' '||COLUMN2||' '||COLUMN3 from table1;"
set pagesize 0
set head off
set trimspool on
set trimout on
set colsep ' '
set linesize 1500
set trimspool on
spool /ss/app11/oastss/reports/$file2
select 'COLUMN1'||' '||'COLUMN2'||' '||'COLUMN3' from dual;
$q2
spool off;
EOF
I am getting the result some what like below in text file
COLUMN1 COLUMN2 COLUMN3
MALLIK_ACCT     17-SEP-11     908030482
MALLIK_ACCT     17-SEP-11     908266967
MALLIK_ACCT     17-SEP-11     909570766
I want the format like below
COLUMN1........ COLUMN2 .... COLUMN3
MALLIK_ACCT ...17-SEP-11 .... 908030482
MALLIK_ACCT ...17-SEP-11 .... 908266967
MALLIK_ACCT ...17-SEP-11 .... 909570766
I put dots(.) for illustration purpose.
column data length may icrease some times . it shoudl automatically adjust column and data so that they are in alignment. thanks in advance.

Mallik wrote:
Hi my question is to format the headers so that they will be in alignment with column data and readable.So you want to output a query as a fixed width format data file? How about this (rather than using scripts)...
As sys user:
CREATE OR REPLACE DIRECTORY TEST_DIR AS '\tmp\myfiles'
GRANT READ, WRITE ON DIRECTORY TEST_DIR TO myuser
/As myuser:
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE run_query(p_sql IN VARCHAR2
                                     ,p_dir IN VARCHAR2
                                     ,p_header_file IN VARCHAR2
                                     ,p_data_file IN VARCHAR2 := NULL) IS
v_finaltxt VARCHAR2(4000);
v_v_val     VARCHAR2(4000);
v_n_val     NUMBER;
v_d_val     DATE;
v_ret       NUMBER;
c           NUMBER;
d           NUMBER;
col_cnt     INTEGER;
f           BOOLEAN;
rec_tab     DBMS_SQL.DESC_TAB;
col_num     NUMBER;
v_fh        UTL_FILE.FILE_TYPE;
v_samefile BOOLEAN := (NVL(p_data_file,p_header_file) = p_header_file);
BEGIN
c := DBMS_SQL.OPEN_CURSOR;
DBMS_SQL.PARSE(c, p_sql, DBMS_SQL.NATIVE);
d := DBMS_SQL.EXECUTE(c);
DBMS_SQL.DESCRIBE_COLUMNS(c, col_cnt, rec_tab);
FOR j in 1..col_cnt
LOOP
    CASE rec_tab(j).col_type
      WHEN 1 THEN DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN(c,j,v_v_val,2000);
      WHEN 2 THEN DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN(c,j,v_n_val);
      WHEN 12 THEN DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN(c,j,v_d_val);
    ELSE
      DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN(c,j,v_v_val,2000);
    END CASE;
END LOOP;
-- This part outputs the HEADER
v_fh := UTL_FILE.FOPEN(upper(p_dir),p_header_file,'w',32767);
FOR j in 1..col_cnt
LOOP
    CASE rec_tab(j).col_type
      WHEN 1 THEN v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(lower(rec_tab(j).col_name),rec_tab(j).col_max_len,' ');
      WHEN 2 THEN v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(lower(rec_tab(j).col_name),rec_tab(j).col_max_len,' ');
      WHEN 12 THEN v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(lower(rec_tab(j).col_name),greatest(19,length(rec_tab(j).col_name)),' ');
    END CASE;
END LOOP;
UTL_FILE.PUT_LINE(v_fh, v_finaltxt);
IF NOT v_samefile THEN
    UTL_FILE.FCLOSE(v_fh);
END IF;
-- This part outputs the DATA
IF NOT v_samefile THEN
    v_fh := UTL_FILE.FOPEN(upper(p_dir),p_data_file,'w',32767);
END IF;
LOOP
    v_ret := DBMS_SQL.FETCH_ROWS(c);
    EXIT WHEN v_ret = 0;
    v_finaltxt := NULL;
    FOR j in 1..col_cnt
    LOOP
      CASE rec_tab(j).col_type
        WHEN 1 THEN DBMS_SQL.COLUMN_VALUE(c,j,v_v_val);
                    v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(nvl(v_v_val,' '),rec_tab(j).col_max_len,' ');
        WHEN 2 THEN DBMS_SQL.COLUMN_VALUE(c,j,v_n_val);
                    v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(nvl(to_char(v_n_val,'fm99999999999999999999999999999999999999'),' '),rec_tab(j).col_max_len,' ');
        WHEN 12 THEN DBMS_SQL.COLUMN_VALUE(c,j,v_d_val);
                    v_finaltxt := v_finaltxt||rpad(nvl(to_char(v_d_val,'DD/MM/YYYY HH24:MI:SS'),' '),greatest(19,length(rec_tab(j).col_name)),' ');
      END CASE;
    END LOOP;
    UTL_FILE.PUT_LINE(v_fh, v_finaltxt);
END LOOP;
UTL_FILE.FCLOSE(v_fh);
DBMS_SQL.CLOSE_CURSOR(c);
END;This allows for the header row and the data to be written to seperate files if required.
e.g.
SQL> exec run_query('select * from emp','TEST_DIR','output.txt');
PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.Output.csv file contains:
empno                 ename     job      mgr                   hiredate           sal                   comm                  deptno
7369                  SMITH     CLERK    7902                  17/12/1980 00:00:00800                                         20
7499                  ALLEN     SALESMAN 7698                  20/02/1981 00:00:001600                  300                   30
7521                  WARD      SALESMAN 7698                  22/02/1981 00:00:001250                  500                   30
7566                  JONES     MANAGER 7839                  02/04/1981 00:00:002975                                        20
7654                  MARTIN    SALESMAN 7698                  28/09/1981 00:00:001250                  1400                  30
7698                  BLAKE     MANAGER 7839                  01/05/1981 00:00:002850                                        30
7782                  CLARK     MANAGER 7839                  09/06/1981 00:00:002450                                        10
7788                  SCOTT     ANALYST 7566                  19/04/1987 00:00:003000                                        20
7839                  KING      PRESIDENT                      17/11/1981 00:00:005000                                        10
7844                  TURNER    SALESMAN 7698                  08/09/1981 00:00:001500                  0                     30
7876                  ADAMS     CLERK    7788                  23/05/1987 00:00:001100                                        20
7900                  JAMES     CLERK    7698                  03/12/1981 00:00:00950                                         30
7902                  FORD      ANALYST 7566                  03/12/1981 00:00:003000                                        20
7934                  MILLER    CLERK    7782                  23/01/1982 00:00:001300                                        10
               The procedure allows for the header and data to go to seperate files if required. Just specifying the "header" filename will put the header and data in the one file.
Adapt to output different datatypes and styles are required (this is currently coded for VARCHAR2, NUMBER and DATE)

Reading and writing to a text file from an Applet

I'm a novice java programming with very little formal programming training. I've pieced together enough knowledge to do what I've wanted to do so far...
However, I've been unable to figure out how to read and write to a text file from an Applet (I can do it from a normal java program just fine). Here is a simple example of what I'd like to do (you can also look at it on my website: www.stat.colostate.edu/~leach/test02/test02.html). I know that there is some problem with permission/security but I'm not smart enough to understand what the error messages are telling or understand the few books I have. If anyone can tell me how to get this applet to work, or direct me to some referrences that would help me out I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Andy
import java.applet.Applet;
import java.net.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.util.*;
import java.io.*;
public class test02 extends Applet {
public Button B_go;
public GridBagConstraints c;
public void init() {
this.setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
c = new GridBagConstraints();
c.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
B_go = new Button("GO");
c.gridx=1; c.gridy=0; c.gridwidth=1; c.gridheight=1;
c.weightx = c.weighty = 0.0;
B_go.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
setCursor(Cursor.getPredefinedCursor(Cursor.WAIT_CURSOR));
print_stuff();
setCursor(Cursor.getPredefinedCursor(Cursor.DEFAULT_CURSOR));
this.add(B_go,c);
public static void print_stuff() {
try{
File f = new File("test02.txt");
PrintWriter out = new PrintWriter(new FileWriter(f));
out.print("This is test02.txt");
out.close();
}catch(IOException e){**/}
}

I have almost the exact same problem, and I am in the same situation as you are with respects to the language.
I am simply trying to create a file and output some garbage to it but my applet always spits back a security violation. I've tried eliminating the restrictions on the applet runner I use but I still get the error.
My method:
debug = new Label() ;
debug.setLocation( 20, 20 ) ;
debug.setSize( 500, 15 ) ;
add( debug ) ;
// output
try
     OutputStream file = new FileOutputStream( new File( "" + getCodeBase() + "output.txt" ) ) ;
     byte[] buffer = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 } ;
     file.write( buffer ) ;
     file.close() ;
} catch( Exception e )
     debug.setText( e.toString() ) ;
     Can anyone tell why this isnt working?

FAQ: Creating PDF Files from FrameMaker v.6 & earlier Documents -- Why you should not use "save as PDF"! -- Windows & MacOS Only!

An issue that has come up over and over again on several FrameMaker and Acrobat/PDF email lists as well on the corresponding Adobe User-to-User forums is that of creation of PDF files. FrameMaker 5.5.6 and 6 have what looks like a convenient feature that is supposed to allow you to create PDF files via simply saving the document as a PDF file. I have gone on record as advising end-users not to use this approach for reliable creation of PDF files from FrameMaker documents under Windows and MacOS with FrameMaker 6 and earlier. Why do I most vociferously offer this advice and why doesn't the problem get fixed? And how SHOULD you create PDF files from FrameMaker?
GOOD NEWS
I will start with the good news. The "next major version" of FrameMaker will indeed have "save as PDF" re-implemented in a manner that it will be as reliable as printing to the "Acrobat Distiller" printer instance under Windows or the "Create Adobe PDF" desktop printer under MacOS. I am personally working with the FrameMaker development organization to make sure this really happens and is fully and properly tested and debugged! Furthermore, this next major revision of FrameMaker, unlike FrameMaker 6, will come with a Distiller installer that will properly install the "Acrobat Distiller" printer instance under Windows and the "Create Adobe PDF" desktop printer on the Macintosh (of course assuring that the latest PostScript driver is also automatically and correctly installed).
DON'T USE "SAVE AS PDF"
But what's wrong with "save as PDF" as currently implemented?
The following are some of the SYMPTOMS reported over the last few years by FrameMaker users that were traced back to use of "save as PDF" under FrameMaker:
(1) No PDF file is produced at all, possibly with a log file showing not-readily apparent PostScript errors during distillation.
(2) The PDF file "loses" color in images. All or some images (raster, bitmap images, NOT vector artwork) appear in the PDF file in grayscale.
(3) The resultant PDF file is on the wrong paper size, i.e., the document's logical page size does not match the output page size as seen in Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
(4) Some or all text in the resultant PDF file is blotchy looking or overly bold.
(5) Some or all text in the resultant PDF file cannot be searched or indexed.
(6) Some or all text in the resultant PDF file appears in Courier or in some other substitution font.
(7) Interword or intercharacter spacing is a bit irregular in the resultant PDF file.
(8) Content is missing in the margin areas of the page, i.e. you cannot do full-page bleeds.
(9) Some or all page content is missing (other than margin areas).
(10) Relatively inefficient PDF is generated.
If this list by itself isn't enough for you, please note that some of these symptoms are very subtle and may escape attention when the PDF is first viewed or printed. Oftimes, it is when one attempts to manipulate the PDF file in Acrobat or repurpose its content or even view or print on a system other than the one on which the PDF file was created, that some of these symptoms make themselves obnoxiously visible (or invisible in some cases I won't make any bad jokes here about graphic examples!).
It is important to understand that FrameMaker does NOT have its own native ability to create PDF. Any and all PDF created from FrameMaker documents is actually done by creating PostScript via the PostScript driver and having the Acrobat Distiller create PDF from that PostScript. The only exception to this is creation of PDF via the Acrobat PDFWriter driver, which is likewise not recommended (see below).
In order for "save as PDF" to work correctly, FrameMaker must do the equivalent of calling Printer Setup and selecting the "Acrobat Distiller" printer instance under Windows or the "Create Adobe PDF" desktop printer under MacOS followed by setting the driver's options correctly for paper size, page range, etc., followed by sending the proper commands to the driver to create PostScript.
Contrary to popular belief, PostScript as generated by the Windows and MacOS PostScript drivers is VERY device-dependent. The information in the PPD file associated with a printer driver instance provides critical parameters for generation of PostScript including:
Whether the printer supports color (Acrobat Distiller does)
What PostScript language level is supported (Acrobat Distiller 4.x and Acrobat Distiller 5.x are both PostScript language level 3)
Whether native TrueType support is available (Acrobat supports native TrueType as Type 42 fonts)
Available binary communications (Acrobat Distiller supports pure binary and ASCII, but NOT TCP, TBCP, or PJL)
Resident fonts (Acrobat Distiller doesn't really have resident fonts)
Available paper sizes and custom paper size availability (Acrobat Distiller supports a wide range of predefined sizes and continually variable "custom" sizes up to 200" by 200")
Margins / printable areas (for PDF and the Acrobat Distiller, there are no margins in which imaging is not permitted)
Device resolution (Acrobat Distiller can be set to any value from 72 to 4000 dpi; as a convenience, the Acrobat Distiller PPD provides a series of values for use by the driver. Since there is no inherent "resolution" of a PDF file, this parameter is used only for purposes of allowing PostScript programs that query for such a value to be satisfied and for the driver to be able to communicate this value to the operating system and/or application as required.)
Paper handling (totally irrelevant to Acrobat Distiller if input or output tray selection via "setpagedevice" is found in the PostScript stream, it is ignored by Acrobat Distiller)
Thus, if the wrong printer driver instance is selected (i.e., it isn't associated with the Acrobat Distiller PPD file) or that driver instance is improperly configured, improper PostScript will result and one or more of the symptoms described above can occur. As currently implemented, FrameMaker depending upon version will not necessarily choose the correct printer driver instance and/or correctly parameterize the print job via driver setup options. In fact, FrameMaker 5,5,6 might even try to generate PDF via calling a PCL driver, FAX driver, or even a non-PostScript inkjet printer!
DON'T USE PDFWRITER
The Acrobat PDFWriter is a relic of older versions of Acrobat. In fact, it is no longer installed by default in the "easy install" or the "typical install" of Acrobat 5. It hasn't really be updated since Acrobat 3 and only supports PDF 1.2. It is a GDI (Windows) / QuickDraw (MacOS) driver that directly generates PDF without any intermediary PostScript. Since it is not a PostScript printer driver, applications cannot pass through EPS graphics and/or PDFMark information (used for a wide variety of purposes by FrameMaker). For EPS graphics, most applications will send the low resolution TIFF (or PICT) EPS header in lieu of the PostScript text, if they send anything at all, to the driver. Forget about links, structure, or any other PDF "goodies." Expect that PDFWriter will fully "bite the dust" in the next major version of Acrobat.
SO HOW DO I GENERATE PDF FILES FROM FRAMEMAKER 6 & EARLIER?
The ONLY method that is really reliable for producing PDF files with FrameMaker 6 and earlier requires the generation of PostScript via a properly set printer driver instance associated with the Acrobat Distiller PPD and distillation of the resultant PostScript by Acrobat Distiller.
Case 1: FrameMaker and the Full Acrobat 4.05 or Acrobat 5.0x Products
PDF file from a "chapter" -- print directly to the Acrobat Distiller printer instance (Windows) or the Create Adobe PDF desktop printer (MacOS) already installed by Acrobat. If you check the "Acrobat data" option, then make sure to UNcheck the "print to file" option that gets set at the same time. As a result, the driver will automatically send the generated PostScript to the Distiller for you and delete the intermediate PostScript when done.
PDF file from a "book" -- print directly to the Acrobat Distiller printer instance with the "print to file" option checked (Windows) or the Virtual Printer desktop printer (MacOS) associated with the Distiller PPD (see details below under Case 2/MacOS). You will need to manually process the resultant PostScript file through the Distiller (or use a "watched folder" arrangement).
In both the above sub-cases, the default driver options generally will be OK, but check on paper size and communication protocol (Use pure binary, not ASCII, for optimal performance AND no CTRL-D characters under Windows. Make sure to set Level 3 only and Binary under MacOS. Font inclusion "All" for Acrobat 4.05 and "None" for Acrobat 5 under MacOS.). With Acrobat 4.05, make sure you preset the Distiller to use the joboptions you want. With Acrobat 5, you can set this on a job-by-job basis via the driver printer setup interface (or print dialog on MacOS).
Case 2: FrameMaker 6 and the Bundled Acrobat 4.05 Distiller
Windows -- Create a new printer driver instance using the latest version of the Adobe Universal PostScript Driver Installer, downloadable from Adobe's web site AND the Acrobat Distiller PPD file (located in the XTRAS subdirectory of the Distiller directory). This driver instance should be set to print to the local port named "FILE:". Name this driver instance as "Acrobat Distiller". The default driver options generally will be OK, but check on paper size and communication protocol (use pure binary, not ASCII, for optimal performance AND no CTRL-D characters). Make sure you preset the Distiller to use the joboptions you want. Print directly to this Acrobat Distiller printer instance. Make sure that the "print to file" option is checked. You will need to manually process the resultant PostScript file through the Distiller (or use a "watched folder" arrangement).
MacOS -- Install the latest version of AdobePS 8.7.x, downloadable from Adobe's web site. In FrameMaker, go to Page Setup and select the "Virtual Printer" and go to the "Virtual Printer" window pane. Select the Acrobat Distiller PPD file (located in the XTRAS subfolder of the Distiller folder). Print directly to the "Virtual Printer" (Make sure to set Level 3 only, Binary, and font inclusion "All".). Make sure you preset the Distiller to use the joboptions you want. You will need to manually process the resultant PostScript file through the Distiller (or use a "watched folder" arrangement).
Case 3: Acrobat 3
Acrobat 3 is not officially supported for the latest OS versions and I personally would no longer recommend its use for generation of PDF files given that Acrobat 5.0.5 is the current version of Acrobat.
- Dov

You're asking a lot of ancient Acrobat to work with an Office that never existed when it was made. "Just updated my office suite" is a massive change, and Window 8 didn't exist at that time either...

Creating text file from SQL with adding counter in Filename.

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