Using the Print Spooler with Backup Media

A tape drive or floppy disk drive cannot be shared. Before any output can be directed to tape or floppy disk, the tape drive or floppy disk drive must be attached (T-ATT). While it is attached, other users cannot access the tape drive or floppy disk drive.

The SP-ASSIGN command with the T option specifies that a tape drive or floppy disk drive will service the output queue. This option also attaches the tape drive or floppy disk drive.

Output is sent to the tape wherever the tape is currently positioned. The tape unit does not automatically rewind, so print files can be sent to the tape one after another.

The following sets of options modify how the Spooler handles each subsequent print job:

T

Sends output to tape drive or floppy disk drive as well as the printer.

TS

Sends output to tape drive or floppy disk drive but does not send the job to printer.

THS

Sends output to tape drive or floppy disk drive and retains as a hold file but does not print the job.

The following example directs output directly to tape, bypassing the Spooler (the S option suppresses printing):

>SP-ASSIGN TS?

DEVICE ATTACHED BLOCK SIZE:  16896

PROCESS

STATUS

COPIES

FORM #

4

T

1

0

>

 

 

 

Sending a Hold File to Backup Media

You can also send hold files to tape or floppy disk using the SP-EDIT command with the T option. The SP-EDIT writes to tape drive or floppy disk drive using the default block size. Do not change the block size between requests without writing a new tape or floppy disk label.

The following SP-EDIT options can be used with the T option:

H

Suppresses tape or floppy disk label.

W

Waits for tape drive or floppy disk drive to become available. Without this option, the request will fail if the tape drive or floppy disk drive is not available.

MS

Sends selected hold files to tape drive or floppy disk drive without prompting individually for confirmation.

The next example sends all hold files between numbers 7 through 11 that were generated on the account which you are logged on to, to tape:

>SP-EDIT 7-11 TS

Copying a Print File from Tape or Floppy Disk

The SP-TAPEOUT command copies the contents of a print file from tape or floppy disk and places an entry in the print queue for it. The Spooler will handle the file according to the currently set SP-ASSIGNments.

The SP-TAPEOUT command copies the contents of a print file from backup medium to a print file on the Spooler. The Spooler processes the file according to the currently set SP-ASSIGNments.

Format

SP-TAPEOUT [options]

Parameter(s)

options

Can be any of the following:

A

Converts data in EBCDIC format on the backup medium to ASCII format, then transfers the data to the Spooler print file. The A option must precede the U option if both are specified.

L

Causes each backup medium record to be treated as a line. Print files are transferred from backup medium directly to the Spooler:

  • If they have been transmitted with one line per tape record, right-justified, and with no embedded carriage returns.

  • If the tape record length is less than or equal to 140 bytes.

Trailing right blanks are removed and a carriage return is inserted.

U

Converts alphabetic characters from lowercase to uppercase, then transfers the data to the Spooler print file. The A option must precede the U option if both are specified.

Options need not be enclosed in parentheses and can be entered in any order. They need not be separated by spaces or commas.

Description

SP-TAPEOUT executes T-ATT and then transfers the contents of a print file to the Spooler. It does this by first having the Spooler create a print file and then transferring the print file from backup medium to the print file on disk. The file is then printed according to the current SP-ASSIGNment.

To place all transferred files from backup medium into one print file on the Spooler, enter the SP-ASSIGN command with the O option before you use SP-TAPEOUT.

To prevent larger tape files from filling up space on the Spooler, enter the SP-ASSIGN command with the C and I options before you use SP-TAPEOUT.

CAUTION

Be sure that the tape drive is attached (T-ATT) and that the proper tape unit is selected (T-SELECT).

See Also

Using the Print Spooler

Starting the Print Spooler

Reinitializing the Print Spooler

Assigning Print Spooler Specifications

Assigning a Printer to a Form Queue with the ASSIGNFQ Command

Checking the Print Queue

Cancelling Print Jobs

Manipulating Hold Files

Using Procs for Printer, Tape and Floppy Disk Control

Scheduling the Windows Print Spooler