[net.micro.pc] Need help with printer I/O redirection

dukelow@noscvax.UUCP (Robert A. Dukelow) (04/12/85)

I'm looking for help with a problem.  I have a commercial program (i.e.
don't have sources) which outputs to the printer. Does anyone have any
suggestions as to how I might be able to redirect the output to a file?
I am running DOS 2.0 on an IBM-PC/XT.  The obvious solution is to write
a shell which traps the DOS calls and run the program under that.
Problem is that covers a lot of unfamiliar ground for me. Maybe there
are simpler solutions? I know you can redirect standard input and output
but don't see any indication in the DOS manuals that this can be done
for the printer.

If nobody has any direct solutions, then how about some pointers as to
how to execute arbitrary programs from TURBO Pascal. I would especially
appreciate any code that can be used as an example, but any suggestions
would also help. I'm not anxious to reinvent the wheel and I suspect
there are some pitfalls along the way.

				Thanks in advance,
				Bob Dukelow (dukelow@nosc)

dad@aluxz.UUCP (DAPKUS) (04/16/85)

[Munch a bunch, eat a bunch]

> I'm looking for help with a problem.  I have a commercial program (i.e.
> don't have sources) which outputs to the printer. Does anyone have any
> suggestions as to how I might be able to redirect the output to a file?
> I am running DOS 2.0 on an IBM-PC/XT.  The obvious solution is to write
> a shell which traps the DOS calls and run the program under that.
> 
> 
> 				Thanks in advance,
> 				Bob Dukelow (dukelow@nosc)

I noticed such a program on the local RCP/M board in the PC section.
It took all parallel output and redirected it to a file.  As I don't
have a true IBM (Zenith Z-100), I didn't look past the .DOC file.
Check for this before you go to any amount of work.  The number for
the Allentown [PA] RCP/M is (215) 398-3937.

				Donald Dapkus
				{ihnp4, allegra} aluxz!dad