Equivalent of LPT1

[agibsonsw]

Hello. It should be possible to create a simple cross-platform print option, but I need a little assistance with Apple/Linux, etc..

In Windows I have to first share the printer, and note it's name, and the computer name. Then I can issue the commands:

Code: Select all

os.system('net use lpt1 \\\\ANDYCOMPAQ\\PrimoPDF /persistent:yes')
os.system('type system_ex.txt > LPT1')

Can someone advise me of equivalent commands in other Oses? [I should investigate Popen as well, so that the printing can happen in parallel.]

I'm hoping that I can just save the file to print (temporarily) with an '.txt' extension. Otherwise I'll have to investigate sending the lines of the file to the printer.

The output would be completely unformatted and there would be no preview option. As mentioned, it would just be a rough and ready print option. It would, however, be possible to just print the selection and perhaps to give an (approximate) page number or range.

Code: Select all

import sublime, sublime_plugin
import os

# DEF_COMPUTER = sublime.load_settings(PACKAGE_SETTINGS).get("comp_name", \
#     False)
# if not DEF_COMPUTER:
#     DEF_COMPUTER = os.environ['COMPUTERNAME']
# DEF_PRINTER = sublime.load_settings(PACKAGE_SETTINGS).get("default_printer", \
#     "PrimoPDF")
# Advanced, Print Processor.. Text (from RAW) for PrimoPDF
DEF_COMPUTER = "ANDYCOMPAQ"
DEF_PRINTER = "PrimoPDF"

try:
    init_printer = "net use lpt1 \\\\" + DEF_COMPUTER + "\\" + DEF_PRINTER + \
        " /persistent:yes"
    os.system(init_printer)
    init_printer = True
except Exception:
    sublime.status_message('Printer not configured correctly.')
    init_printer = False

class PrintDefault(sublime_plugin.WindowCommand):
    def run(self):
        if init_printer:
            vw = self.window.active_view()
            vw_str = vw.file_name()
            #os.system('type system_ex.txt > LPT1')
            os.system("type " + vw_str.replace('\\', '\\\\') + " > LPT1")
        else:
            sublime.status_message('Printer not configured correctly.')


Actually, print-preview would be kind-of possible using another view, but it wouldn't look anything like the printed (white) version.

Any advice, or suggestions, are welcome. Andy.

[agibsonsw]

If it helps, below is a version that works for Windows. You just need to:

Share your printer;
Edit the code below to reflect your computer and printers' names;
Assign 'print_default' to a key-binding. [This could be added to the File menu.]

It creates a file with extension '.txt' in your temporary folder, which is over-written if printed again.
If you are sending to a PDF generator you will need to modify its properties to accept text input and (if possible) set some margins.

I can easily modify it to print the selection or a range of line-numbers, and perhaps add a date-stamp, etc. But I still need some assistance with non-Windows OSes

Code: Select all

import sublime, sublime_plugin
import os, tempfile

# DEF_COMPUTER = sublime.load_settings(PACKAGE_SETTINGS).get("comp_name", \
#     False)
# if not DEF_COMPUTER:
#     DEF_COMPUTER = os.environ['COMPUTERNAME']
# DEF_PRINTER = sublime.load_settings(PACKAGE_SETTINGS).get("default_printer", \
#     "PrimoPDF")
# Advanced, Print Processor.. Text (from RAW) for PrimoPDF
DEF_COMPUTER = "ANDYCOMPAQ"
DEF_PRINTER = "PrimoPDF"

try:
    init_printer = "net use lpt1 \\\\" + DEF_COMPUTER + "\\" + DEF_PRINTER + \
        " /persistent:yes"
    os.system(init_printer)
    init_printer = True
except Exception:
    sublime.status_message('Printer not configured correctly.')
    init_printer = False

class PrintDefault(sublime_plugin.WindowCommand):
    def run(self):
        if init_printer:
            vw = self.window.active_view()
            vw_filename = vw.file_name()
            vw_base = os.path.basename(vw_filename)
            tempd = tempfile.gettempdir()
            vw_firstbase, vw_ext = os.path.splitext(vw_base)
            if not vw_ext or vw_ext != '.txt':
                vw_filename = vw_firstbase + '.txt'
            else:
                vw_filename = vw_base
            vw_filename = tempd + os.sep + vw_filename
            tempf = open(vw_filename, 'w')
            for line in vw.split_by_newlines(sublime.Region(0, vw.size())):
                tempf.write(vw.substr(line) + '\n')
            tempf.close()

            #os.system('type system_ex.txt > LPT1')
            os.system("type " + vw_filename.replace('\\', '\\\\') + " > LPT1")
        else:
            sublime.status_message('Printer not configured correctly.')