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How does everyone create pdfs out of the IBM ISeries? Is there a way with just native code to do pdfs, add logos to them, manipulate the datat where I want it etc? If not, is there a software tool that integrates with the IBMI that works well? Thanks for your help!!
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Re: PDF Creating????
Depends on the definition of manipulating data. It is pretty simple to use the above recommendations if all you want is to generate a spool file stamp a copy of a pdf on top and export it to the ifs. You can even code the overlays and page segments into the printer file to make it more dynamic.
I have done this and also used software. The advantage of the software is that is allows you to do more dynamic placement of elements or at least makes it simpler to do so and also lets you move data around on the spool file if for say you have a canned report from a software and need to reformat the whole thing. Lots of software available to do this.
I used drv technologies in the past but don't recommend them. If I had to do it again I would look at RJS offerings but off the top of my head RVI, Gumbo, TLA ashford has a form option.
Here is a past form post I had on form software http://www.code400.com/forum/showthr...V-TechnologiesComment
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Re: PDF Creating????
Creating spooled files and then transforming them to PDF is the most common method, but of course, that limits you to what can be done in a spooled file. (PDFs have FAR, FAR greater capabilities than spooled files on IBM i)
There are two other approaches I've seen that do not involve spooled files:
1) PDFLIB (www.pdflib.com) is a 3rd party commercial tool (but is inexpensive) that provides native ILE objects you can call to create PDFs. We use this where I work, and it's very fast and powerful, we can create a PDF with no limitations. It does require a learning curve of knowing which subprocedures to call in the right order (etc) to generate what you want.
2) iText (itextpdf.com) is a 3rd party Java package. It is similar to PDFLIB in many ways, but written in Java. It is open source, so you can get the source code and see how it all works. Since it is Java, it comes with the caveats of Java (requires more system resources, requires knowledge of the Java environment, easy to use for Java people, but harder for RPG/Cobol people, etc.)
Personally, I find that if a user is happy with their original spooled files (i.e. traditional RPG report type printouts) then they'll also be happy with creating a spooled file and converting it to PDF. That approach is easy, and makes it simple to e-mail the file, download it from a web page, etc. Eliminates the need for remote users to figure out how to configure their remote printers to work with IBM i.
On the other hand, if you want a modern graphical PDF that looks professional, etc, for example if generating invoices, statements, etc to send to customers, then I find the spooled file approach to be too limiting, and would recommend one of the above approaches. (PDFLIB is the one I prefer.)
Good luck!Comment
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Re: PDF Creating????
Thanks everyone. I am doing the last of these responses. I am creating statements, contracts, etc. I need to be able to "pretty them up", add logos, sometimes add text based on certain criteria on the last page. I need to be able to create barcodes too. Right now we use a 3rd party software called planet press and we are pretty happy with it, but the hardcore IBMI people keep saying we could do the same thing on the 400. I'm not sure I believe that, and after reading these responses, I'm still not convinced. Thanks for your answers!!Comment
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