Printing forms and labels in Python

[jfabiani at yolo.com]

Monte Milanuk wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I'm still a relative newbie to python, so I apologize if this is covered
> in detail somewhere and I missed it.
> 
> I have a program or two that I want to work on once I get more
> proficient with python and sqlite and tkinter/wxpython.  One of the big
> 'features' of those programs I want to make is going to be printing out
> match results (scores) from a competition along with competitor names
> and other pertinent information.  Currently most people are doing this
> in Excel, though there is one (old) DOS program written in BASIC that
> not only prints the match results and the reports for the sanctioning
> body, but also prints labels via a Dymo Label maker.
> 
> I realized today that one thing I have never seen covered in any Python
> tutorial is how to format and print things to a physical printer.  I did
> a little bit of searching and didn't come up with much... either I'm
> really not using the right search terms, or physical printing is a black
> hole/art...?
> 
> TIA,
> 
> Monte
It's still possible to send esc char's to the printer (just like the dos
program).  So in days of DOS programs there were routines that matched
epsons, HP, and a few other printers that the dos programs used to print to
(http://webpages.charter.net/dperr/links/esc_p2.htm).  

Idea was simple send the printer the esc codes and the text you wanted
printed.  Just insure you have the right port (BTW not as easy as it used
to be). 

Johnf