Install fonts on a workstation

[sdocker]

We distribute an APP that is normaly installed on a server. We supply a barcode font that is used by the reports.

When the report is run from a workstation, the font that is in the server font folder, or possibly the workstation used to do the install, is not found and is substituted and just prints the number under area where the barcode should have been.

What is the best way to have the fonts installed on all workstations.

Also, a font named barcode39fh shows up in the font folder as barcode39fh_0. What does this mean and what is the significance of it?

Thanks
Sam

 

[JRB-Bldr]

A font is installed in the workstation's Windows and then can be accessed by any application running on that workstation.

You need to follow the instructions provided by the barcode font vendor on installing it into the workstations.

Sometimes the vendor supplies an EXE which does the installation for you. If so you need to run that EXE.

If not then you would typically follow the 'standard' Windows Font installation procedure. You can Google windows install font to find a number of installation procedure references.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[sdocker]

I tried the following and seem to have had some success. Any commenst are appreciated.

Sam

*====================================*

*-* Install the barcode font.
IF !FILE(GETENV('SYSTEMROOT')+'\FONTS' ;
+ '\barcode39fh.ttf') .AND. FILE('barcode39fh.ttf')
COPY FILE barcode39fh.ttf. TO GETENV('SYSTEMROOT') ;
+ '\FONTS' + '\barcode39fh.ttf'

*/* Adds font to font table
LOCAL FontReturnValue
IF FILE(GETENV("SYSTEMROOT")+"\FONTS" + '\barcode39fh.ttf')
DECLARE INTEGER AddFontResource IN gdi32.DLL STRING cFilename
FontReturnValue = AddFontResource('barcode39fh.ttf')
IF TYPE("FontReturnValue") = 'N'
* YAY
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDIF

 

[Dan Freeman]

That works, as long as the app is running with administrative rights (which it shouldn't be doing). Fonts are best handled in an installer, which will typically already have elevated privileges.

We (all of us) used to write stuff to the system folder all the time in the hurly-burly old days. The problem is that so did everyone else, including viruses and malware. That's why they're more restricted now and we probably ought to get used to it.

 

[sdocker]

danfreeman,

Is it my decision to run the APP with ADM priveleges, or the SYSOP ?

My code seems to be working. Is it enough if the user has enough rights on the workstation?

Also, can I add the font to ther font table even if the font is not in the font folder ?

Thanks

 

[Dan Freeman]

It is your user's decision whether to run as Admin. As I said, in an earlier era it was a default and it caused problems. It's something we should learn to live without.

To my knowledge, fonts must reside in the fonts folder.