Convert spool files to PDF (Jamie's Program)

[Prototype]

Hi Jamie/All,

I have been studying the code written to convert spool files to PDF. We already have a utility that we use which converts spool files to PDF documents but we do not have source code for the same, so I was intrested in knowing how you create a PDF file in AS400.

Well I looked at the API used QUSRSPLA and when I looked at the RPG where DS for this API was defined, found that some of the fields at the end of the DS for the format SPLA0100 were missing. Immediately I thought may be those are optional however IBM guide does't suggests as such.

Is it ok to exclude the fields in a fixed format DS provided by IBM for using API's? I am sorry it must be a foolish question considering the program works, but still I couldn't find anything about this concept on web.
Missing fields are as below, most of these are user defined, may be that explains why they were excluded?

1142	476	CHAR(2)	Reserved
1144	478	BINARY(4)	Offset to user-defined options
1148	47C	BINARY(4)	Number of user-defined options returned
1152	480	BINARY(4)	Length of each user-defined option entry
1156	484	CHAR(255)	User-defined data
1411	583	CHAR(10)	User-defined object name
1421	58D	CHAR(10)	User-defined object library name
1431	597	CHAR(10)	User object type
1441	5A1	CHAR(3)	Reserved
1444	5A4	PACKED(15,5)	Character set point size
1452	5AC	PACKED(15,5)	Coded font point size
1460	5B4	PACKED(15,5)	DBCS-coded font point size
1468	5BC	BINARY(4)	Auxiliary storage pool
1472	5C0	BINARY(4)	Spooled file size
1476	5C4	BINARY(4)	Spooled file size multiplier
1480	5C8	BINARY(4)	Internet print protocol job identifier
1484	5CC	CHAR(1)	Spooled file creation security method
1485	5CD	CHAR(1)	Spooled file creation authentication method
1486	5CE	CHAR(7)	Date writer began processing spooled file
1493	5D5	CHAR(6)	Time writer began processing spooled file
1499	5DB	CHAR(7)	Date writer completed processing spooled file
1506	5E2	CHAR(6)	Time writer completed processing spooled file
1512	5E8	CHAR(8)	Job system name
1520	5F0	CHAR(10)	Auxiliary storage pool device name

Thanks,
Proto.

[GLS400]

Re: Convert spool files to PDF (Jamie's Program)

Hi Proto:

If you are at V6R1 or greater use this:

CHGVAR     VAR(&DIRENTRY) VALUE('/tmp/usrfls/out/' *CAT &pdfname)
 OVRPRTF    FILE(QSYSPRT) DEVTYPE(*AFPDS) +
              TOSTMF(&DIRENTRY) WSCST(*PDF)

Best of Luck
GLS

[Prototype]

Re: Convert spool files to PDF (Jamie's Program)

Hi Proto:

If you are at V6R1 or greater use this:

CHGVAR     VAR(&DIRENTRY) VALUE('/tmp/usrfls/out/' *CAT &pdfname)
 OVRPRTF    FILE(QSYSPRT) DEVTYPE(*AFPDS) +
              TOSTMF(&DIRENTRY) WSCST(*PDF)

Best of Luck
GLS

Hi GLS,

nope V5R4M0. Plus i want to write a pdf myself to learn how it's done, just want to get closer to the system as much as I can and the code jamie has written is beautiful haha
This example from Jamie exposes me to two concepts -
1) Use of API's (I have done this previously but not extensively)
2) Use of writers and creating fixed format headers for a pre-defined format ( i hope i make sense but you know what i mean haha), in this case a PDF. I might move on to bitmaps, word docs after this who knows? Is it even possible?