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We had a little program that would let any user create one specific type
of mailing label, with one dictionary item (field) of their choice per
line. I generalized this to any kind of label, multiple dictionary
items or constant literals per line. Since it takes a form, plus a
format, and generates stuff, I called the program
“FORMATION.” (Also the platform was Prime INFORMATION.)
Here’s part of the documentation that I wrote for it:
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EXAMPLES OF FORMATION
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Here are some examples of how you might use FORMATION.
:FORMATION PERSONNEL LINE 1 NAME LINE 2 ADDRESS LINE 3 CITY LINE 4 ST FORM LABEL3 LPTR
This is a basic, simple example of printing dictionary items. It prints
the name, address, city, and state for each person that was selected.
The form used will be three-across labels. (The "FORMS LABEL3" is
actually redundant, as LABEL3 is the default form.) Results might look
like:
Wanda Wilson Walter Wondrous Willy Wonka
123 Abracadabra Lane 456 Mistletoe St. 789 Ziploc Blvd.
Walla Walla Walla Walla Kalamazoo
WA WA WA
:FORMATION CUSTOMERS LINE 1 "Worldwide Widgets Welcomes" LINE 2
"WonderDemo: Dec 31 1999" LINE 4 NAME FORM 3X5 LPTR
This example also prints two lines with "constant text". It also shows
how you can print a blank line just by ignoring that line. It prints a
3x5 card for each selected custmer. The first line on every card will
say "Worldwide Widgets Welcomes". The second line will say "WonderDemo:
Dec 31 1999". The third line will be blank, and the fourth line will
have the name of the customer:
Worldwide Widgets Welcomes
WonderDemo: Dec 31 1999
Sam Smythe
(and blank lines for the rest of the 3x5.)
:FORMATION NOFILE LINE 1 "Return this form to:" LINE 2 "Wanda Wilson"
LINE 3 "Customer Support" LINE 4 "Worldwide Widgets Inc" LINE 5 "Walla
Walla WA 98765" FORM LABEL1 LPTR COPIES 200
This example shows how to use "NOFILE" to print 200 return address
labels, each with just the constants inside the quote marks. The
"NOFILE" means that, since these labels do not use any dictionary items,
the program doesn't need to use a file. You do NOT need an active
select list if you use "NOFILE". The labels will look like:
Return this form to:
Wanda Wilson
Customer Support
Worldwide Widgets Inc
Walla Walla WA 98765
:FORMATION PERSONNEL LINE 1 "Id number ":ID.NO LINE 2 "Name: ": NAME:
"x": EXTENSION
This example shows how to print multiple items on a line: in this case,
constant text mixed with dictionary items. It prints labels such as:
Id number 1234567
Name: Wanda Wilson x3333
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