File2PRN

A Command Line Copy Files to Printer Utility

Procon Construction Systems

WHAT IS File2PRN?
File2PRN.EXE is a Windows' Console program designed to copy raw data files directly to a printer. (It is the Console mode equivalent of the Windows' utility WFil2PRN).

File2PRN is primarily for users who need to print text files, log files, and PCL files, etc.

File2PRN allows you to:-

use multiple wildcarded file pathnames,
send the output to any Windows' printer (USB, local, networked, etc.),
display a list of installed printers,
show the name of the Windows' default printer.

SYNTAX

File2PRN FileSpec(s) [PrinterName]

FileSpec = the target File(s) - (can contain wildcards).
PrinterName = the name Windows uses for the target printer.

Optional Switches: (use as single parameter)
/D (or /DEFAULT) = Show Default Printer
/P (or /PRINTERS) = List Installed Printers
/? (or /HELP) = a basic HELP screen

EXAMPLES

File2PRN *.TXT "HP Color LaserJet 8550-PS"
(names with embedded spaces must be "quoted")

File2PRN File1.c;2ndFile.c "Brother HL-1440"
(Filespec can contain multiple files)

File2PRN 20???.LOG
(uses the Windows' default printer)

File2PRN /DEFAULT (show default printer name)
File2PRN /PRINTERS (list all installed printers)
File2PRN /HELP (show a help screen)

PARAMETERS

File2PRN can accept up to TWO command line parameters:-

The FIRST parameter - the files to be printed

May be a single full path name or several pathnames separated by commas or semi-colons and may contain wildcards. It is usually a file specification. For example:-
  "F:\VS Projects\Utils\*.cpp"
  "*.h;*.cpp;*.txt"
  ""C:\LOGS\*.log, F:\Win Utils\*.txt""
  (Pathnames with embedded spaces must be quoted.)

The SECOND parameter - the Printer to be used (optional)

If specified, this must be one of the installed Windows' printers. Provide the full printer name - as listed in the Windows' Printers applet. These names usually contain embedded spaces, so the name must be enclosed in quotes to ensure the parameter is correctly passed.
For example, the parameter might look like:- "HP Color LaserJet 8550-PS"

If the parameter is not provided, the default printer is used.

DEPENDENCIES

This program uses several Windows' DLL files. If these are not present you will get an error message indicating which DLL is missing.

If this occurs, download the required DLLs from the links given in:- http://www.procon.com.au/UtilDLLs.htm

DISCLAIMER

Use this utility at your own risk! If you do not understand

Console and Command Line modes,
Command Line parameters,
Windows' printer and driver functions, etc.,

you can only cause yourself grief!

UPDATES

File2PRN /Help
shows a help screen and program version number.

Download the latest version of File2PRN from Procon's Website.