(Minirint vs Miniprint2) vs hbPrinter

[Pete]

Hello everybody,

that's a question I always wanted to ask (is particularly addressed to Minigui team members, but anybody can express opinion/ideas):
1. What's the differences between Miniprint and Miniprint2
2. What is better and why, between Miniprint(s) and hbPrinter  printing libraries, in your opinion (please analyze a bit).

thanks!

regards,
Pete

[Clenilton Alencar]

Pete,

Quanto ao item 1, não sei dizer ao certo a diferença entre MiniPrint e MiniPrint2.

Quanto ao item 2, já utilizei muito a HBPrinter logo que comecei com HarbourMinigui. No entanto, hoje utilizo a Miniprint, porque a sintaxe dela é mais simplificada, especialmente no que se refere à definição das fontes. Na HBPrinter, você já deve definir e nomear previamente as fontes que irá utilizar; na MiniPrint você pode utilizar fontes e tamanhos diferentes a qualquer momento sem ter que defini-las previamente.  Não sei se hoje a MiniPrint(2) possui o recurso de definir o ângulo do texto, recurso que existe na HBPrinter há muito tempo.

Pete,

As for item 1, I can't say for sure the difference between MiniPrint and MiniPrint2.

As for item 2, I used HBPrinter a lot as soon as I started with HarbourMinigui. However, today I use Miniprint, because its syntax is simpler, especially when it comes to defining fonts. In HBPrinter, you must already define and name in advance the sources you will use; At MiniPrint you can use different fonts and sizes at any time without having to set them in advance. I don't know if MiniPrint (2) today has the ability to set text angle, a feature that has been around in HBPrinter for a long time.

[Pete]

On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 20:21:17 UTC+2, Clenilton Alencar wrote:

As for item 1, I can't say for sure the difference between MiniPrint and MiniPrint2.

As for item 2, I used HBPrinter a lot as soon as I started with HarbourMinigui. However, today I use Miniprint, because its syntax is simpler, especially when it comes to defining fonts. In HBPrinter, you must already define and name in advance the sources you will use; At MiniPrint you can use different fonts and sizes at any time without having to set them in advance. I don't know if MiniPrint (2) today has the ability to set text angle, a feature that has been around in HBPrinter for a long time.

Hi Clenilton 

I rarely these day make use of direct printing. I create all my printouts as PDFs,

which offers great flexibility compared to hard-printing on paper.

So, my interest about those printing libraries are rather limited, but there are times

they must be used, hence the questions.

In any case, thanks for your reply and for sharing your experience!

regards,

Pete

[John Ward]

Pete,

Can you share what your implementation preference is to generate PDF files.

You can just reference the \MiniGui\samples folder I should check out, if that makes it easier.

John 

[Pierpaolo Martinello]

Hi all,

i remember that in the folder \Minigui\Samples\Advanced\Report_Interpreter we can find one demo that use commands

from HbPrinter, Miniprint, HaruPdf with the same syntax.

If you watch the Unified.mod file, you will recognize the commands that you always use.

Personally Use HbPrinter as it is more comprehensive, but mostly does not miss the previews,

In fact Miniprint sometimes shows the preview as if what we print is wider than the paper,

but it does not correspond to reality, while Hbprinter preview is perfect.

The use of Report Interpreter may not be limited to the dependency of a script, and by a huge freedom of 

choice between Miniprint , Hbprinter, PdfPrint changing even just one line or command switch.

Test It and report me your valuations

Best Regards

Pierpaolo Martinello

[Pete]

Hi @John Ward,

I do use  `hbHPDF Library` which is a `contrib` library of Harbour.

In fact, this library is a wrapper for the Haru Free PDF Library.

Into \MiniGui\samples\advanced you can find some samples for it.

Also take a look into \Harbour\contrib\hbhpdf\tests\test.prg

I think they're enough to get started.

--------------------------------------------------------

@Pierpaolo Martinello,

Hello Pierpaolo,

how are you doing?

I was not aware that your report_interpreter is able to do PDFs.

I must definitely give it a try!

I mean "try it again", since I had done it years ago but my main difficulty

always is to "decipher" the syntax of any report generator (not only yours).

I think a report designer (something like HMGS-IDE form designer)

would of great help to let users start using it regularly.

regards,

Pete

[John Ward]

Thank you Pete and Pierpaolo for the tips!

John

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[Pierpaolo Martinello]

Il giorno venerdì 10 gennaio 2020 11:47:50 UTC+1, Pete ha scritto:

@Pierpaolo Martinello,

Hello Pierpaolo,

how are you doing?

Not Fine! 

I was not aware that your report_interpreter is able to do PDFs.

I must definitely give it a try!

I mean "try it again", since I had done it years ago but my main difficulty

always is to "decipher" the syntax of any report generator (not only yours).

Ok, Wireport alias Report Interpreter is Pdf capable since Harbour MiniGUI Extended Edition 2.2.0 - 2013.02.26 (See Changelog.txt) 

And i have created it with the intention of Simplifying and merging the commands of the various tools using xBase Syle.

I think a report designer (something like HMGS-IDE form designer)

would of great help to let users start using it regularly.

That's what I think.

Winreport is for me the first step and the intention is to equip it with an ide, 

but my skills are like the time available to me: limited

An attempt was made on the QbGen homes (\ MiniGUI \ UTILS \ QBGen)

but beware: I just found out a few bugs related to new modifications introduced in the release of MiniGUI.

I'll try to fix them for the new version scheduled for later this month.

Definitely Pete, you're better than me (and I'll write it because I can't deny it)

After 7 years you can retry again it and give me your ratings and/or suggestions.

Kind Regards

Pierpaolo Martinello 

IW1CUY Ham Radio From Biella Italy 
Linux User 177880 

 

[Pete]

On Sunday, 12 January 2020 11:52:31 UTC+2, pier.martinello wrote:

Il giorno venerdì 10 gennaio 2020 11:47:50 UTC+1, Pete ha scritto:

@Pierpaolo Martinello,

Hello Pierpaolo,

how are you doing?

Not Fine! 

I am not happy hearing that. and I hope that whatever the problem is,

eventually you will resolve it.

 

Winreport is for me the first step and the intention is to equip it with an ide, 

but my skills are like the time available to me: limited

Well, limited time is a universal problem haunting almost any people

and almost always for the wrong reasons! (but that's an other annoying story).

On the other hand, lack of skills usually is more easily to be treated

but I don't think you're in need of this, your work is enviable and certainly

have not been made by an un-skilled person.

 

but beware: I just found out a few bugs related to new modifications introduced in the release of MiniGUI.

I'll try to fix them for the new version scheduled for later this month.

 

Ok. take your time..

 

Definitely Pete, you're better than me (and I'll write it because I can't deny it)

 

Really? I think it's a joke but I would not probably hesitate to quote your flattering remark

in my CV even knowing it's not exactly true. ;-)

best regards,

Pete