HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
Viewing the output of a spool file
Input spool files are automatically labeled private and, ordinarily you
may not view them. You can easily view output spool files using any of
the following methods.
* using text editors except those with restricted file codes or
record types
* using either of the CI PRINT or FCOPY commands
* using one the following utilities: SPIFF or PRINTSPF (which are
part of the Fundamental Operating Software) or the HPBROWSE
utility, which you must purchase separately.
The following sections explain more about each of these options for view
output spool files.
Using a text editor
One way to look at the contents of your output spool file is to use a
text editor such as EDIT/3000. If you use another editor, you must
experiment with it to find out if it can display spool files. Some
editors are unuseable because they have restricted file codes or record
types.
For example, suppose that you created a text file using EDIT/3000 and
sent it to the printer. If you then want to use EDIT/3000 to view the
output spool file the spooler created, do the following:
1. Start EDIT/3000 and text in the output spool file. You may see
this warning:
***WARNING*** RECORD SIZE TRUNCATED TO 255 BYTES
By default, EDIT/3000 displays only the first 72 characters in a
record. Unless the largest record in your spool file exceeds 255
characters, you may ignore this warning. (To extend the line
length visible in EDIT/3000, refer to chapter 4.)
2. To view the entire spool file, enter the LIST ALL command.
3. If you use EDITOR to modify the file, you cannot save the modified
file with its original name in OUT.HPSPOOL. You may, however, save
it in your logon group and account.
4. When you finish viewing the file, exit the editor.
Using the PRINT command
You can also view output spool files with the PRINT command. When you
use PRINT, MPE/iX displays the spool file one screen at a time, without
the overhead in each record.
If you have not copied the spool file to your local group and account,
issue the PRINT command followed by the fully-qualified name of the spool
file. For example:
PRINT Onnnn.OUT.HPSPOOL
If you have copied the file to your local group and account, you may
enter the command followed by the file name (without specifying your
group and account), like this:
PRINT outspfile
Using the FCOPY command
You may also use FCOPY to display the contents of your output spool file
on the screen. To do so, specify the name of the spool file in the FROM=
parameter, and enter the TO= parameter without specifying a destination.
For example:
FCOPY FROM = spool file ;TO =
Using the SPIFF utility
SPIFF allows you to view only those output spool files to which you have
access and which are linked to the spooling subystem. You cannot view a
spool file that you have moved to your local group and account using
SPIFF. To use SPIFF to view a spool file, do the following:
1. Run the SPIFF utility by entering the command:
RUN SPIFF.PUB.SYS
2. After SPIFF displays its introductory banner, enter the following
two commands to view the file:
TEXT #Onnnn
LIST ALL
For example, if you want to view the output spool file identified
as O1234, enter:
TEXT #O1234
If you get an error message, make sure that you have entered the
correct output spool file number preceded by a capital O, and not
a zero. Chapter 5 has a complete description of the SPIFF utility
and its commands.
Using the PRINTSPF utility
The PRINTSPF utility allows viewing of both input spool files and output
spool files. The standard MPE/iX user may not view input spool files,
however, since you must have system manager (SM) capability to do so.
The advantage of using PRINTSPF is that it displays the spool file in a
formatted manner so that you can examine the contents of both the data
and the special overhead in each record.
To display one of your output spool files, enter:
PRINTSPF Onnnn
For example, if you want to view the output spool file identified as
O1234, enter:
PRINTSPF O1234
If you get an error message, make sure that you have entered the correct
output spool file number preceded by a capital O, and not a zero. Refer
to the "Viewing spool files using the PRINTSPF utility" in chapter 4 for
more information.
Using the HPBROWSE Utility
HPBROWSE is an optional utility that employs softkeys to enter commands.
It permits string searching and handles long lines by permitting you to
scroll left or right to view the text. If you have purchased the
HPBROWSE utility, you may use it to view spool files. To use HPBROWSE,
enter:
HPBROWSE filename
For more information, refer to HP Browse/XL User's Guide (36384-90001).