The following process summarizes how terminal printer groups are handled by TPS:
When TPS is initiated, it checks for the presence of the NGEN28TP/GROUPS file. If it is present, TPS loads a maximum of 50 valid entries from the file, and sorts by group name. Entries are ignored and ODT error messages are sent if any of the following problems occur:
An entry has invalid syntax.
A terminal printer name is not found in the COMS Configuration file.
The file has more than 50 valid entries.
At any time TPS is running, you may force a reload of the NGEN28TP/GROUPS file by using the LOADGROUPS command.
When Report output is received by TPS, the setting of GLB.TPGROUP is passed to TPS in a Report output header record (as are other System Data Item values). If the value of GLB.TPGROUP is not spaces, Report output is forced to a backup file.
If the NGEN28TP/GROUPS file is loaded into TPS, and the group name is valid, an index entry is created in NGEN28TP/LINCINDEX for each printer defined for that TPGROUP name in the NGEN28TP/GROUPS file. The process continues from Step 4.
If the NGEN28TP/GROUPS file is not visible to TPS, or the group name is invalid, one error entry is created in NGEN28TP/LINCINDEX . The output will not be printed until you explicitly send the TPS backup file to a named printer by using the ADD command. No further steps of this process apply.
The Report is printed on each available printer in the group.
When all printers in the group have received the Report output, the TPS backup file for the Report is deleted, subject to the following conditions:
The printer named in GLB.STN has received the Report output (see the following note).
GLB.BACKUP was set to R in Report logic (independent of the setting of REMOVE- or REMOVE+ in TPS).
REMOVE+ is currently set in TPS, and GLB.BACKUP was not set to Y in Report logic.
Note: Only one TPS backup file is created for the Report output. One entry is made in the NGEN28TP/LINCINDEX file for each printer in the group. If the station named in GLB.STN is not declared in the group, a separate NGEN28TP/LINCINDEX entry is created so that station will also receive the output from the Report.