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 |
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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:
Start EDIT/3000 and text in the output spool file. You may see this warning:
***WARNING*** RECORD SIZE TRUNCATED TO 255 BYTES
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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.)
To view the entire spool file, enter the LIST ALL command.
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.
When you finish viewing the file, exit the editor.
Using the PRINT command |
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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:
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:
Using the FCOPY command |
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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 =
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Using the SPIFF utility |
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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:
Run the SPIFF utility by entering the command:
After SPIFF displays its introductory banner, enter the following two commands to view the file:
For example, if you want to view the output spool file identified as O1234, enter:
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 |
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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:
For example, if you want to view the output spool file identified as O1234, enter:
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 |
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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:
For more information, refer to HP Browse/XL User's Guide (36384-90001).
