Define a printer file

You can find rules and examples for filling in positions 1 through 44 of the data description specifications form for printer files in this topic.

See Keyword entries for printer files (positions 45 through 80) to see the rules for specifying the DDS keywords for printer files.

Specify the entries in the following order to define a printer file:

  1. Optional--File-level entries
  2. Record-level entries
  3. Field-level entries
Specify at least one record format in each file. The maximum number of record formats in a printer file is 1024. The maximum number of fields in any one record format is 32 767. The maximum combined length of all named fields and indicators in a record format is 32 767 bytes.
Note: Specify the file name through the Create Printer File (CRTPRTF) command, not through DDS.
See DDS concepts for the following general information:
  • An explanation of file level, record level, and field level in the overview topic.
  • A complete printer file example in the examples topic.
  • Syntax rules for specifying DDS keywords.

Figure 1 shows a printer file coding example.

Figure 1. Printer file coding example
Note: By using the code examples, you agree to the terms of the Code license and disclaimer information.
|...+....1....+....2....+....3....+....4....+....5....+....6....+....7....+....8
00010A* PRINTER FILE CODING EXAMPLE
00020A*
00030A          R TITLER                    SKIPB(3)
00040A            FLD1          40        47SPACEA(2) UNDERLINE
00050A  30        FLD2          40        47SPACEA(2) UNDERLINE
00060A*
00070A          R AUTHORR
00080A                                    66'by'
00090A            FIELD1        40        47SPACEB(1)
00100A                                    50DFT('Task Force I')
00110A  31                                  SPACEA(1)
00120A  31                                65'and'
00130A  31        FIELD2        40        47
00140A*
00150A          R PUBR                      SKIPB(58)
00160A                                    47'Published by Department'
00170A            DEPT           3  0     +1
00180A                                    47DATE  EDTCDE(Y)
00190A                                      SPACEB(1)
00200A N15
00210AO 32 33 34                          47TIME
00220A                                      SPACEB(1)
     A
Parent topic: DDS for printer files
Related concepts
Rules for DDS keywords and parameter values
Related reference
DDS coding examples
Reference information related to printing