[comp.lang.postscript] A filter to convert 8-bit codes to octal escape codes

jim@piggy.ucsb.edu (Oreo Cat) (09/08/90)

I recently had trouble printing out some postscript files which I had
received over the net.  I tracked it down the problem and discovered
that the computer and printer where only talking to each other in
7-bits, but the files had some 8-bit codes.  I had never noticed this
problem before because most software will send these codes as octal
escape sequences.  So I wrote up the below attached filter to convert
any stray 8-bit characters to their respective octal escape sequences.
Nothing all that special, but it could save someone a lot of work 
someday.  Also I strongly recommend anyone distributing postscript
documents to use this filter to save headaches.

(If anyone has a /etc/printcap that lets a Apple Laserwriter + and
Sun Sparcstation 1 talk 8-bits, please let me know!!)

                            Jim Lick		       
Work: University of California	| Home: 6657 El Colegio #24
      Santa Barbara		|       Isla Vista, CA 93117-4280
      Dept. of Mechanical Engr. |	(805) 968-0189 voice
      2311 Engr II Building     |	(805) 968-1239 data 1
      (805) 893-4113            |	(805) 968-2734 data 2
      jim@ferkel.ucsb.edu	|	bahamut!jim@ivucsb.sba.ca.us  

--- CUT HERE ---

/*
** Copyright (C) 1990 by Jim Lick
** jim@ferkel.ucsb.edu
** bahamut!jim@ivucsb.sba.ca.us
**
** ps8to7.c
**
** This program filters postscript code to convert any 8-bit characters
** to octal coding for printing or file transfer over 7-bit channels.
*/

#include <stdio.h>
main()
{
  unsigned char c;
	while(!feof(stdin))
	{
	  c=getchar();
	  
	  if(c<128)
	    putchar(c);
          else
	    printf("\\%o",c);
	}
}