Re: To print in PHP

Ben, I have a system with lots of different types of reports. Like you I decided I didn't want to use the browser to print. Looked at PDF, RTF. I liked the printer functions, but they only worked on M$. After looking at all the alternatives I ended up going back to the browser for several reasons: It works on all the browsers, It's code you already know, it's fast. But I looked into the printer problem, not as a report, but as a system. And I developed a printer file system. When a user prints a report, it is run on the server side, so it is very fast. The output is put into the printer DB file, and an entry is made in the users IN BASKET. When they bring up the printer system it list all the reports in the IN BASKET. I have the alphabet across the top so they can go to any folder beginning with that letter, or use a folder field to list all the reports in that folder. When someone deletes a report from a folder it is sent to the WASTE BASKET folder, and stays there for 10 days before disappearing. So they have 10 days to get it out of the WASTE BASKET and file it back into another folder. There is a drop-down list of users the person may send the report to. If the user sends the report to 10 people for example, then they all get it in their IN BASKET, but only one detail of the report is on file. A lot of other stuff is on the list, like the date printed, title, who sent it, and a comment. The user can create other folders, for example a folder for WEEKLY COST and file, or move the data from the IN BASKET. If they they want to see the detail they can bring up as many pages as they wish (default is 5). They can ask for specific pages and jump around. If they click the print button it is printed. For the most part, I have eliminated the need for printed reports, since they have them filed and can look at reports anytime they wish. The system also lets you set up reports to run at certain times, like every Monday morning at 8:00AM, and copy as many users as you want. The report then shows up in everyone's IN BASKET at 8:00AM Monday. So far the feedback has been great, and eliminated a lot of paper reports laying around, that they usually don't look at anyway. Every system is different and it may not fit your application. But I Hope this gives you some help or ideas. Have a great day.... Dan Benjamin Woen wrote:

Dear all, I am using PHP+MySQL to develop a database app, I want to include printing feature in this application that able to print to a standard format instead of using print function from the browser, anybody in this list that ever do something like this ? Appreciate if you can share with me the trick Thanks and best regards Ben Woen