I am in the process of migrating from Unix to Win2003 and have spent some
time in trying to find a way of displaying 80/132 characters in a screen
that will dynamically adjust the display to accommodate both widths of
screen. I can show 132 all the time but the font size makes this
impractical.
I do not think this is actually possible so have to be content with a 80char
DOS window and scroll across using control I when necessary to see the right
hand side of the screen.
I know it's a long shot but has anyone actually been able to do this please


Jim Marshall


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"Marshall, Jim I" <jim.marshall (AT) atkinsglobal (DOT) com> wrote


I don't think I fully understand what you are after. Are you hoping to find
a way to run (say) isql or qbf in a 132 character window, and have them use
forms that exploit the full 132 characters if you happen to be using a
display that is wide enough? Would you be doing this in a DOS window or
with some sort of terminal emulator?

There is no reason to be limited to an 80 character DOS window. I routinely
use 100 even on my laptop, and 130+ on my 21" desktop. I suspect I am not
understanding the problem here either, but just in case I am, all you have
to do is change the window size in on the layout tab of the DOS window
properties.

Roy

Sorry if I did not explain very well. On the Unix version there are 80
and 132 width forms in the same application and the screen dynamically
accommodates the different number of columns by varying the font size
etc. In Windows the DOS window is of a static size and font size and so
such dynamic sizing would appear impossible. I therefore have to have
either a 80 char DOS window and lose half the data in the normal
display, or use a 132 char DOS window with a small font that is not
very user friendly to see all the data. The last option also needs a
suitable setting in the Termcap file to work.
Is there any way to get a DOS window to emulate whay unix can do in
this respect.
I have also tried Telnet to try an accomplish this but I have need
advised that this will not work with Ingres
Jim

"Jim" <jim.marshall (AT) atkinsglobal (DOT) com> wrote

Sounds like the Unix version is assuming a terminal type (like VTx00) that
can switch modes when it receives the appropriate escape sequence, and you
have an emulation that actually does that. I've never bothered to prove
that the DOS window can't do that to, but I am virtually certain it can't.

You've intrigued me. Unless someone says it definitely can't be done, I
will have look tonight. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

It's not just Ingres. No Windows application that uses the alternate
console buffer can work over telnet. It is a limitation of the win32 API.
There is a third-party telnet server available from a company called Pragma
that not only claims to have a workaround, but also claims to be certified
CA Smart for use with Ingres. I have to tell you though, I've evaluated it
twice in the last few years, the last time as recently as December, and I
still couldn't get it to work well enough to use in anger. (I'd be
delighted to hear you've found the secret of making it work!)

Roy Hann (rhann at rationalcommerce dot com)
Rational Commerce Ltd
www.rationalcommerce.com
"Ingres development, tuning, and training experts"