printing to parallel port?

[Michael Bush]

re: printing 4 line text labels that show the result of an inspection done
in labview...

I'm currently exporting data to a file, and then using the exec.vi to "copy
filename.txt" lpt1, which prints a label... This is pretty klugy (in that
it opens writes a file, opens a dos window, prints, closes the dos window,
etc), but it works...

what is the "right" way to do this...? I tried using the config & write
serial port vi's, but never got it to work..not quite sure why. Any
suggestions?

thanks...

--

[Johnner]

Michael Bush wrote:

> I'm currently exporting data to a file, and then using the exec.vi to "copy
> filename.txt" lpt1, which prints a label... This is pretty klugy (in that
> it opens writes a file, opens a dos window, prints, closes the dos window,
> etc), but it works...
>
> what is the "right" way to do this...? I tried using the config & write
> serial port vi's, but never got it to work..not quite sure why. Any
> suggestions?

There's always debate on what the right way to go is, but two methods that are
arguably cleaner are:

- use the Serial Write VI (paradoxically) to print to the parallel port by
specifying port 10 and checking your labview.ini file if you have problems.
Here's a KnowledgeBase entry with more info:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websear
ch/a5abd9d76665217b86256333005ac9a5

- In LabVIEW 5 or higher, use the new Report Generation VIs. On functions
palette, Report Generation >> Easy Text Report.vi, for example. For your
simple 4-line output, this could be the best solution.

Regards,
John Lum
National Instruments