DLSoft Application Note 03011


Starting dLabel-32/dIndex-32/dBarcode-2000 automatically 
when a database file is created.

Applies to dLabel-32 v 4.65, dIndex-32 v 4.65 and 
dBarcode-2000 v 1.25, all dated 29 March 2001, or later.

Some applications generate a text file containing 
data for printing on labels and it is convenient to 
have dLabel-32 (or dIndex or dBarcode-2000) start up 
automatically when the data file is created, print 
the labels, and then close down. This may be 
achieved by following the steps below. This example 
assumes that dLabel-32 is installed in C:\DLABEL

Method 1 - Using a Windows Schedule

1. create the label style in the normal way.

2. create a dummy text file containing a small amount of data 
(eg. test.txt) Make a backup copy of this file because you will 
need to replace the original if using the delete command in the 
batch files below.

3. On the dLabel Database menu choose File - Use - and select 
the text data file, ensure that the line, field and record separators 
you will use are also entered.

4. save the label style with a suitable name (eg. test.dlt)

5. create a Windows "Shortcut" with a command line which loads 
dLabel and the required style, eg. 
c:\dlabel\dlabel4.exe c:\dlabel\test.dlt 
Give it a name such as dlabeltext.lnk

6. Drag the shortcut from the desktop to c:\  Then double click on 
it to ensure that it does correctly open dLabel complete with the 
associated data.

7. create two batch files using a text editor such as Notepad. 
In this example the files are called RDL.BAT and RDL2.BAT.
RDL.BAT contains
if exist c:\dLabel\test3.txt call c:\rdl2.bat

RDL2.BAT contains
c:\dlabel\dlabel4.exe c:\dlabel\test.dlt /P
del c:\dlabel\test.txt

Note that the /P requires an uppercase P. This causes the data 
to be printed and the program to close. In the absence of the /P 
the program halts and displays the labels in normal view.

8. Check that running RDL.BAT from a command prompt does 
correctly open dLabel complete with the associated data.

7. create a scheduled task which runs c:\rdl.bat at regular intervals 
throughout the working day. Timing will vary according to your 
requirements, but could be for example every 5 minutes. 
On Win98 and Win2000 this is done using the task scheduler 
in the Control Panel. On Win NT is can be done using an AT 
command of the form
AT EVERY 5 MINS C:\RDL.BAT


Method 2 - Using dLabels Wait paratemeter.

1. create the label style in the normal way.

2. create a dummy text file containing a small amount of data 
(eg. test.txt) Make a backup copy of this file because you will 
need to replace the original if using the delete command in the 
batch files below.

3. On the dLabel Database menu choose File - Use - and select 
the text data file, ensure that the line, field and record separators 
you will use are also entered.

4. save the label style with a suitable name (eg. test.dlt)

5. create a Windows "Shortcut" with a command line which 
loads dLabel and the required style and includes the \Wtt 
parameter, eg. c:\dlabel\dlabel4.exe c:\dlabel\test.dlt \W60
The \W parameter causes dLabel to check every tt seconds to see 
whether the "Used" data file exists. If it does exist, it is loaded, 
printed and then deleted.

While this is a simpler approach it does require that dLabel is 
running and using memory continuously.


dLSoft
March 2001
updated Jan 2002