To Get List of network printer

Question

Hi
I am using forms 9i,and i want reports output directly to selected printer.
right now i have hard coded
desname='\\neeraj\epson';
and only one printer can be used for that report.
i want in forms to get all list of printers
from user end.
(if possible only that users all printer);
as in any other application when print command is given
it states to select printer.
Please suggest me.
thanks

Answer 1

Patrick,
its true that Jinitiator would have to support Java 1.4 if you wanted to use the new printing services. A list of printer names can be obtained in Java 1.2 by calling
java.awt.print.PrinterJob pjob = java.awt.print.PrinterJob.getPrinterJob()
The name of printers available on a client can be obtain from the pjob instance. This however doesn't give you the network address of the printer but only its name. However, mainatining a table of printer access paths in a database table should be easy. At least you know without user printer registratiom, which printer is configured for a user.
In Java 1.1, in case you have to use older APIs, the same information can be obtained from the Java Toolkit.
Another option, that is similar to hpw orarrp works, is to request the Reports from a Java Bean and to stream the Reports output file (say PDF) to a temporary file on teh client. Call the client host print command to print ethe file (or Acrobat Reader for PDF files). After printing the file, clean up the temporary files.
Frank