How to perform server-side tasks before starting printing in ASP.NET

Product WebClientPrint for ASP.NET Published 06/09/2017 Updated 10/15/2019 Author

Overview

When using WebClientPrint for ASP.NET solution, the printing process is initiated from Javascript code. In some cases, it might be necessary to perform some tasks at server side (like some kind of calculation, a query to a DB, save something on disk or DB, etc) just before starting the printing process. Because the printing process is initiated from Javascript, then those tasks must be started from Javascript as well.

In this article, we'll code a sample scenario where a txt file must be saved at server disk and the created file name will be returned back to the client so that file name can be also passed to the printing process as a parameter.

Requirements

Development/Server-side

  WebClientPrint 6.0 for ASP.NET (or greater)
  ASP.NET 4.6.1+ or ASP.NET Core 2.0+
  Visual Studio 2015+
  jQuery 1.4.1+

Client-side

  WebClientPrint Processor 6.0 for Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi & Mac

Follow up these steps

  • Open Visual Studio and create a new ASP.NET Website naming it PrintTXTSample
  • Add a NuGet reference to Neodynamic.SDK.WebClientPrint package to your project
  • Now follow up the instructions for each MVC/C#, MVC/VB, SPA/AngularJS+WebAPI, WebForms/CS or WebForms/VB:

    Creating/Editing Controllers

    Create a new Controller and name it WebClientPrintAPIController and then copy/paste the following code:

    
public class WebClientPrintAPIController : Controller
{
 
    //*********************************
    // IMPORTANT NOTE 
    // In this sample we store users related stuff (like
    // the list of printers and whether they have the WCPP 
    // client utility installed) in the Application cache
    // object part of ASP.NET BUT you can change it to 
    // another different storage (like a DB or file server)!
    // which will be required in Load Balacing scenarios
    //*********************************
 
    [AllowAnonymous]
    public void ProcessRequest()
    {
        //get session ID
        string sessionID = (HttpContext.Request["sid"] != null ? HttpContext.Request["sid"] : null);
 
        //get Query String
        string queryString = HttpContext.Request.Url.Query;
 
        try
        {
            //Determine and get the Type of Request 
            RequestType prType = WebClientPrint.GetProcessRequestType(queryString);
 
            if (prType == RequestType.GenPrintScript ||
                prType == RequestType.GenWcppDetectScript)
            {
                //Let WebClientPrint to generate the requested script
                byte[] script = WebClientPrint.GenerateScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", null, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), queryString);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/javascript";
                HttpContext.Response.BinaryWrite(script);
                HttpContext.Response.End();
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetWcppVersion)
            {
                //This request is a ping from the WCPP utility
                //so store the session ID indicating it has the WCPP installed
                //also store the WCPP Version if available
                string wcppVersion = HttpContext.Request["wcppVer"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(wcppVersion))
                    wcppVersion = "1.0.0.0";
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "wcppInstalled", wcppVersion);
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                string printers = HttpContext.Request["printers"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printers) == false)
                    printers = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printers));
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "printers", printers);
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the client installed printers with detailed info
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                //Printers Info is in JSON format
                string printersInfo = HttpContext.Request.Form["printersInfoContent"];
 
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printersInfo) == false)
                    printersInfo = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printersInfo));
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "printersInfo", printersInfo);
 
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetWcppVersion)
            {
                //return the WCPP version for the specified sid if any
                bool sidWcppVersion = (HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "wcppInstalled") != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write((sidWcppVersion ? HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "wcppInstalled") : ""));
                HttpContext.Response.End();
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //return the installed printers for the specified sid if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "printers") != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write((sidHasPrinters ? HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "printers") : ""));
                HttpContext.Response.End();
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //return the installed printers with detailed info for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (HttpContext.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write(sidHasPrinters ? HttpContext.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] : "");
 
            }
 
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            HttpContext.Response.StatusCode = 500;
            HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
            HttpContext.Response.Write(ex.Message + " - StackTrace: " + ex.StackTrace);
            HttpContext.Response.End();
        }
 
             
    }
}

    Edit the HomeController to the following code:

    
public class HomeController : Controller
{
    public ActionResult Index()
    {

        ViewBag.WCPPDetectionScript = Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateWcppDetectionScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", null, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), HttpContext.Session.SessionID);

        return View();
    }

    public ActionResult PrintTXT()
    {
        return View();
    }

}
    The idea is to dynamically create a TXT file at server side BEFORE staring the printing process. The name of the created TXT file will be passed as a param to the Controller where the ClientPrintJob is created.

    Add a new Controller and name it CreateTextFileController and paste the following code:

    
public class CreateTextFileController : Controller
{
	[AllowAnonymous]
	public void CreateFile()
	{
		
        //generate random file name
        string randFileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
        //save txt file on root website folder
        System.IO.File.WriteAllText(System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + randFileName + ".txt", "THIS IS A SAMPLE TEXT");
        //return file name back to client
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.Write(randFileName);
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End();

	}

}

    Add a new Controller and name it PrintTXTController and paste the following code:

    
using Neodynamic.SDK.Web;

public class PrintTXTController : Controller
{
	public ActionResult Index()
	{
		ViewBag.WCPScript = WebClientPrint.CreateScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", null, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), Url.Action("PrintFile", "PrintTXT", null, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), HttpContext.Session.SessionID);

		return View();
	}

	[AllowAnonymous]
	public void PrintFile(string useDefaultPrinter, string printerName, string txtFileName)
	{
		
        //full path of the txt file to be printed
        string txtFilePath = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + txtFileName + ".txt";
            
        //create a temp file name for our txt file...
        string fileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + System.IO.Path.GetExtension(txtFilePath);
            
        //Create a PrintFile object with the txt file
        PrintFileTXT file = new PrintFileTXT(txtFilePath, fileName);
        //Create a ClientPrintJob and send it back to the client!
        ClientPrintJob cpj = new ClientPrintJob();
        //set file to print...
        cpj.PrintFile = file;

		//set client printer...
		if (useDefaultPrinter || printerName == "null")
			cpj.ClientPrinter = new DefaultPrinter();
		else
			cpj.ClientPrinter = new InstalledPrinter(printerName);
		
		//send it...
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.BinaryWrite(cpj.GetContent());
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End();
		
	}

}

    Creating/Editing Views

    The default View is for detecting whether the client machine has the WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP) Utility installed. Edit the Views / Shared / _Layout.cshtml file and add the folowing section to the BODY:

    Be sure this View links to jQuery 1.4.1+ file!

    
<body>
    ...
	
    @RenderSection("scripts", required: false)

	...
</body>

    Edit the Views / Home / Index.cshtml file and copy/paste the folowing code:

    
@{
    ViewBag.Title = "Home Page";
}


<div id="msgInProgress">
    <div id="mySpinner" style="width:32px;height:32px"></div>
    <br />
    <h3>Detecting WCPP utility at client side...</h3>
    <h3>Please wait a few seconds...</h3>
    <br />
</div>
<div id="msgInstallWCPP" style="display:none;">
    <h3>#1 Install WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP)!</h3>
    <p>
        <strong>WCPP is a native app (without any dependencies!)</strong> that handles all print jobs
        generated by the <strong>WebClientPrint for ASP.NET component</strong> at the server side. The WCPP
        is in charge of the whole printing process and can be
        installed on <strong>Windows, Linux, Mac & Raspberry Pi!</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        <a href="//www.neodynamic.com/downloads/wcpp/" target="_blank" >Download and Install WCPP from Neodynamic website</a><br />
    </p>
    <h3>#2 After installing WCPP...</h3>
    <p>
        <a href="@Url.Action("Index", "PrintTXT")" >You can go and test the printing page...</a>
    </p>

</div>

@section scripts{
    
<script type="text/javascript">

    var wcppPingTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppPingTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec
                     
    function wcppDetectOnSuccess(){
        // WCPP utility is installed at the client side
        // redirect to WebClientPrint sample page
                
        // get WCPP version
        var wcppVer = arguments[0];
        if(wcppVer.substring(0, 1) == "6")
            window.location.href = '@Url.Action("Index", "PrintTXT")';
        else //force to install WCPP v6.0
            wcppDetectOnFailure();
    }

    function wcppDetectOnFailure() {
        // It seems WCPP is not installed at the client side
        // ask the user to install it
        $('#msgInProgress').hide();
        $('#msgInstallWCPP').show();
    }

</script>


@* WCPP detection script generated by HomeController *@

@Html.Raw(ViewBag.WCPPDetectionScript)


    }

    Add a new View with the following name and under such folders: Views / PrintTXT / Index.cshtml Then, copy/paste the folowing code:

    
<h3>Print TXT File</h3>

<div>
<label class="checkbox">
	<input type="checkbox" id="useDefaultPrinter" /> <strong>Print to Default printer</strong> or...
</label>
</div>

<div id="loadPrinters">
	Click to load and select one of the installed printers!
	<br />
	 <input type="button" onclick="javascript:jsWebClientPrint.getPrinters();" value="Load installed printers..." />
	<br /><br />
</div>

<div id="installedPrinters" style="visibility:hidden">
	<label for="installedPrinterName">Select an installed Printer:</label>
	<select name="installedPrinterName" id="installedPrinterName"></select>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
	var wcppGetPrintersTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppGetPrintersTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

    function wcpGetPrintersOnSuccess() {
		// Display client installed printers
		if (arguments[0].length > 0) {
			var p = arguments[0].split("|");
			var options = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < p.length; i++) {
				options += '<option>' + p[i] + '</option>';
			}
			$('#installedPrinters').css('visibility', 'visible');
			$('#installedPrinterName').html(options);
			$('#installedPrinterName').focus();
			$('#loadPrinters').hide();
		} else {
			alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
		}
	}
	function wcpGetPrintersOnFailure() {
		// Do something if printers cannot be got from the client
		alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
	}
</script>

<br />

<a id="printBtn" href="#">Print TXT...</a>

<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
    $("#printBtn").click(function () {
        //1. perform server side task
        $.ajax({url: '@Url.Action("CreateFile", "CreateTextFile")', success: function(txtFileName){
            alert("The text file: " + txtFileName + "was created at server side. Continue printing it...");
            
            //2. Print the created text file specifying the file name

            jsWebClientPrint.print('useDefaultPrinter=' + $('#useDefaultPrinter').attr('checked') + '&printerName=' + $('#installedPrinterName').val() + '&txtFileName=' + txtFileName);


        }});
    });
});
</script>


@section scripts{
    
@* Register the WebClientPrint script code generated by PrintTXTController. *@

@Html.Raw(ViewBag.WCPScript);

    }

    Creating/Editing Controllers

    Create a new Controller and name it WebClientPrintAPIController and then copy/paste the following code:

    
Imports Neodynamic.SDK.Web
 
Namespace Controllers
    Public Class WebClientPrintAPIController
        Inherits Controller
 
        ' GET: WebClientPrintAPI
        Function Index() As ActionResult
            Return View()
        End Function
 
        '*********************************
        ' IMPORTANT NOTE 
        ' In this sample we store users related stuff (like
        ' the list of printers and whether they have the WCPP 
        ' client utility installed) in the Application cache
        ' object part of ASP.NET BUT you can change it to 
        ' another different storage (like a DB or file server)!
        ' which will be required in Load Balacing scenarios
        '*********************************
 
        <allowanonymous>
        Public Sub ProcessRequest()
            'get session ID
            Dim sessionID As String = (If(HttpContext.Request("sid") IsNot Nothing, HttpContext.Request("sid"), Nothing))
 
            'get Query String
            Dim queryString As String = HttpContext.Request.Url.Query
 
            Try
                'Determine and get the Type of Request 
                Dim prType As RequestType = WebClientPrint.GetProcessRequestType(queryString)
 
                If prType = RequestType.GenPrintScript OrElse prType = RequestType.GenWcppDetectScript Then
                    'Let WebClientPrint to generate the requested script
                    Dim script As Byte() = WebClientPrint.GenerateScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", Nothing, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), queryString)
 
                    HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/javascript"
                    HttpContext.Response.BinaryWrite(script)
                    HttpContext.Response.End()
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetWcppVersion Then
                    'This request is a ping from the WCPP utility
                    'so store the session ID indicating it has the WCPP installed
                    'also store the WCPP Version if available
                    Dim wcppVersion As String = HttpContext.Request("wcppVer")
                    If String.IsNullOrEmpty(wcppVersion) Then
                        wcppVersion = "1.0.0.0"
                    End If
 
                    HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID & "wcppInstalled", wcppVersion)
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrinters Then
                    'WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                    'so store this info with the specified session ID
                    Dim printers As String = HttpContext.Request("printers")
                    If String.IsNullOrEmpty(printers) = False Then
                        printers = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printers))
                    End If
 
 
                    HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID & "printers", printers)
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrintersInfo Then
                    'WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                    'so store this info with the specified session ID
                    'Printers Info is in JSON format
                    Dim printersInfo As String = HttpContext.Request.Form("printersInfoContent")
                    If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(printersInfo) Then
                        printersInfo = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printersInfo))
                    End If
 
                    HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID & "printersInfo", printersInfo)
 
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetWcppVersion Then
                    'return the WCPP version for the specified sid if any
                    Dim sidWcppVersion As Boolean = (HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "wcppInstalled") IsNot Nothing)
 
                    HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                    If (sidWcppVersion) Then
                        HttpContext.Response.Write(HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "wcppInstalled").ToString())
                    End If
                    HttpContext.Response.End()
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrinters Then
                    'return the installed printers for the specified sid if any
                    Dim sidHasPrinters As Boolean = (HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "printers") IsNot Nothing)
 
                    HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                    If (sidHasPrinters) Then
                        HttpContext.Response.Write(HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "printers").ToString())
                    End If
                    HttpContext.Response.End()
 
                ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrintersInfo Then
                    'return the installed printers with detailed info for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                    Dim sidHasPrinters As Boolean = (HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "printersInfo") IsNot Nothing)
 
                    HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
 
                    If (sidHasPrinters) Then
                        HttpContext.Response.Write(HttpContext.Application(sessionID & "printersInfo").ToString())
                    End If
                    HttpContext.Response.End()
                End If
            Catch ex As Exception
                HttpContext.Response.StatusCode = 500
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                HttpContext.Response.Write(ex.Message + " - StackTrace: " + ex.StackTrace)
                HttpContext.Response.End()
            End Try
 
 
        End Sub
 
    End Class
End Namespace

    Edit the HomeController to the following code:

    
Public Class HomeController
    Inherits System.Web.Mvc.Controller

    Function Index() As ActionResult
        ViewData("WCPPDetectionScript") = Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateWcppDetectionScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", Nothing, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), HttpContext.Session.SessionID)

        Return View()
    End Function

    Function PrintTXT() As ActionResult

        Return View()
    End Function

End Class
    The idea is to dynamically create a TXT file at server side BEFORE staring the printing process. The name of the created TXT file will be passed as a param to the Controller where the ClientPrintJob is created.

    Add a new Controller and name it CreateTextFileController and paste the following code:

    
Namespace Controllers
    Public Class CreateTextFileController
        Inherits Controller

        <AllowAnonymous> Public Sub CreateFile()

            'generate random file name
            string randFileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString()
            'save txt file on root website folder
            System.IO.File.WriteAllText(System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + randFileName + ".txt", "THIS IS A SAMPLE TEXT")
            'return file name back to client
            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.Write(randFileName)
            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End()

        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace

    Add a new Controller and name it PrintTXTController and paste the following code:

    
Imports Neodynamic.SDK.Web

Namespace Controllers
    Public Class PrintTXTController
        Inherits Controller

        Function Index() As ActionResult

            ViewData("WCPScript") = Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", Nothing, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), Url.Action("PrintFile", "PrintTXT", Nothing, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), HttpContext.Session.SessionID)

            Return View()
        End Function

        <AllowAnonymous> Public Sub PrintFile(useDefaultPrinter As String, printerName As String, txtFileName as String)

            'full path of the txt file to be printed
            Dim txtFilePath As String = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + txtFileName + ".txt"

            'create a temp file name for our txt file...
            Dim fileName As String = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + System.IO.Path.GetExtension(txtFilePath)
            
            'Create a PrintFile object with the txt file
            Dim file As New PrintFileTXT(txtFilePath, fileName)
            'Create a ClientPrintJob and send it back to the client!
            Dim cpj As New ClientPrintJob()
            'set file to print...
            cpj.PrintFile = file

            If (useDefaultPrinter = "checked" OrElse printerName = "null") Then
                cpj.ClientPrinter = New DefaultPrinter()
            Else
                cpj.ClientPrinter = New InstalledPrinter(System.Web.HttpUtility.UrlDecode(printerName))
            End If

            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream"
            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.BinaryWrite(cpj.GetContent())
            System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End()

        End Sub
    End Class
End Namespace

    Creating/Editing Views

    The default View is for detecting whether the client machine has the WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP) Utility installed. Edit the Views / Shared / _Layout.vbhtml file and add the folowing section to the BODY:

    Be sure this View links to jQuery 1.4.1+ file!

    
<body>
    ...
	
    @RenderSection("scripts", required: False)

	...
</body>

    Edit the Views / Home / Index.vbhtml file and copy/paste the folowing code:

    
@Code
    ViewData("Title") = "Home Page"
End Code


<div id="msgInProgress">
    <div id="mySpinner" style="width:32px;height:32px"></div>
    <br />
    <h3>Detecting WCPP utility at client side...</h3>
    <h3>Please wait a few seconds...</h3>
    <br />
</div>
<div id="msgInstallWCPP" style="display:none;">
    <h3>#1 Install WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP)!</h3>
    <p>
        <strong>WCPP is a native app (without any dependencies!)</strong> that handles all print jobs
        generated by the <strong>WebClientPrint for ASP.NET component</strong> at the server side. The WCPP
        is in charge of the whole printing process and can be
        installed on <strong>Windows, Linux, Mac & Raspberry Pi!</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        <a href="//www.neodynamic.com/downloads/wcpp/" target="_blank" >Download and Install WCPP from Neodynamic website</a><br />
    </p>
    <h3>#2 After installing WCPP...</h3>
    <p>
        <a href="@Url.Action("Index", "PrintTXT")" >You can go and test the printing page...</a>
    </p>

</div>

@section scripts
    
<script type="text/javascript">

    var wcppPingTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppPingTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec
                     
    function wcppDetectOnSuccess(){
        // WCPP utility is installed at the client side
        // redirect to WebClientPrint sample page
                
        // get WCPP version
        var wcppVer = arguments[0];
        if(wcppVer.substring(0, 1) == "6")
            window.location.href = '@Url.Action("Index", "PrintTXT")';
        else //force to install WCPP v6.0
            wcppDetectOnFailure();
    }

    function wcppDetectOnFailure() {
        // It seems WCPP is not installed at the client side
        // ask the user to install it
        $('#msgInProgress').hide();
        $('#msgInstallWCPP').show();
    }

</script>


@* WCPP detection script generated by HomeController *@

@Html.Raw(ViewData("WCPPDetectionScript"))


    }

End Section

    Add a new View with the following name and under such folders: Views / PrintTXT / Index.vbhtml Then, copy/paste the folowing code:

    
<h3>Print TXT File</h3>

<div>
<label class="checkbox">
	<input type="checkbox" id="useDefaultPrinter" /> <strong>Print to Default printer</strong> or...
</label>
</div>

<div id="loadPrinters">
	Click to load and select one of the installed printers!
	<br />
	 <input type="button" onclick="javascript:jsWebClientPrint.getPrinters();" value="Load installed printers..." />
	<br /><br />
</div>

<div id="installedPrinters" style="visibility:hidden">
	<label for="installedPrinterName">Select an installed Printer:</label>
	<select name="installedPrinterName" id="installedPrinterName"></select>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
	var wcppGetPrintersTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppGetPrintersTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

	function wcpGetPrintersOnSuccess() {
		// Display client installed printers
		if (arguments[0].length > 0) {
			var p = arguments[0].split("|");
			var options = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < p.length; i++) {
				options += '<option>' + p[i] + '</option>';
			}
			$('#installedPrinters').css('visibility', 'visible');
			$('#installedPrinterName').html(options);
			$('#installedPrinterName').focus();
			$('#loadPrinters').hide();
		} else {
			alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
		}
	}
	function wcpGetPrintersOnFailure() {
		// Do something if printers cannot be got from the client
		alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
	}
</script>

<br />

<a id="printBtn" href="#">Print TXT...</a>

<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
    $("#printBtn").click(function () {
        //1. perform server side task
        $.ajax({url: '@Url.Action("CreateFile", "CreateTextFile")', success: function(txtFileName){
            alert("The text file: " + txtFileName + "was created at server side. Continue printing it...");
            
            //2. Print the created text file specifying the file name

            jsWebClientPrint.print('useDefaultPrinter=' + $('#useDefaultPrinter').attr('checked') + '&printerName=' + $('#installedPrinterName').val() + '&txtFileName=' + txtFileName);


        }});
    });
});
</script>

@section scripts
    
    @* Register the WebClientPrint script code generated by PrintTXTController. *@

    @Html.Raw(ViewData("WCPScript"))

@end section

    Creating/Editing Controllers

    Create a new Controller and name it WebClientPrintAPIController and then copy/paste the following code:

    
public class WebClientPrintAPIController : Controller
{
 
    //*********************************
    // IMPORTANT NOTE 
    // In this sample we store users related stuff (like
    // the list of printers and whether they have the WCPP 
    // client utility installed) in the Application cache
    // object part of ASP.NET BUT you can change it to 
    // another different storage (like a DB or file server)!
    // which will be required in Load Balacing scenarios
    //*********************************
 
    [AllowAnonymous]
    public void ProcessRequest()
    {
        //get session ID
        string sessionID = (HttpContext.Request["sid"] != null ? HttpContext.Request["sid"] : null);
 
        //get Query String
        string queryString = HttpContext.Request.Url.Query;
 
        try
        {
            //Determine and get the Type of Request 
            RequestType prType = WebClientPrint.GetProcessRequestType(queryString);
 
            if (prType == RequestType.GenPrintScript ||
                prType == RequestType.GenWcppDetectScript)
            {
                //Let WebClientPrint to generate the requested script
                byte[] script = WebClientPrint.GenerateScript(Url.Action("ProcessRequest", "WebClientPrintAPI", null, HttpContext.Request.Url.Scheme), queryString);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/javascript";
                HttpContext.Response.BinaryWrite(script);
                HttpContext.Response.End();
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetWcppVersion)
            {
                //This request is a ping from the WCPP utility
                //so store the session ID indicating it has the WCPP installed
                //also store the WCPP Version if available
                string wcppVersion = HttpContext.Request["wcppVer"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(wcppVersion))
                    wcppVersion = "1.0.0.0";
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "wcppInstalled", wcppVersion);
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                string printers = HttpContext.Request["printers"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printers) == false)
                    printers = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printers));
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "printers", printers);
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the client installed printers with detailed info
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                //Printers Info is in JSON format
                string printersInfo = HttpContext.Request.Form["printersInfoContent"];
 
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printersInfo) == false)
                    printersInfo = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printersInfo));
 
                HttpContext.Application.Set(sessionID + "printersInfo", printersInfo);
 
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetWcppVersion)
            {
                //return the WCPP version for the specified sid if any
                bool sidWcppVersion = (HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "wcppInstalled") != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write((sidWcppVersion ? HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "wcppInstalled") : ""));
                HttpContext.Response.End();
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //return the installed printers for the specified sid if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "printers") != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write((sidHasPrinters ? HttpContext.Application.Get(sessionID + "printers") : ""));
                HttpContext.Response.End();
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //return the installed printers with detailed info for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (HttpContext.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] != null);
 
                HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                HttpContext.Response.Write(sidHasPrinters ? HttpContext.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] : "");
 
            }
 
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            HttpContext.Response.StatusCode = 500;
            HttpContext.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
            HttpContext.Response.Write(ex.Message + " - StackTrace: " + ex.StackTrace);
            HttpContext.Response.End();
        }
 
             
    }
}
    The idea is to dynamically create a TXT file at server side BEFORE staring the printing process. The name of the created TXT file will be passed as a param to the Controller where the ClientPrintJob is created.

    Add a new Controller and name it CreateTextFileController and paste the following code:

    
public class CreateTextFileController : Controller
{
	[AllowAnonymous]
	public void CreateFile()
	{
		
        //generate random file name
        string randFileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
        //save txt file on root website folder
        System.IO.File.WriteAllText(System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + randFileName + ".txt", "THIS IS A SAMPLE TEXT");
        //return file name back to client
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.Write(randFileName);
        System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End();

	}

}

    Add a new Controller and name it PrintTXTController and paste the following code:

    
using Neodynamic.SDK.Web;

public class PrintTXTController : Controller
{
	public ActionResult Index()
	{
		return View();
	}

	[AllowAnonymous]
	public void PrintFile(string useDefaultPrinter, string printerName, string txtFileName)
	{
		
        //full path of the txt file to be printed
        string txtFilePath = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath("~/") + txtFileName + ".txt";
            
        //create a temp file name for our txt file...
        string fileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + System.IO.Path.GetExtension(txtFilePath);
            
        //Create a PrintFile object with the txt file
        PrintFileTXT file = new PrintFileTXT(txtFilePath, fileName);
        //Create a ClientPrintJob and send it back to the client!
        ClientPrintJob cpj = new ClientPrintJob();
        //set file to print...
        cpj.PrintFile = file;

		//set client printer...
		if (useDefaultPrinter || printerName == "null")
			cpj.ClientPrinter = new DefaultPrinter();
		else
			cpj.ClientPrinter = new InstalledPrinter(printerName);
		
		//send it...
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.BinaryWrite(cpj.GetContent());
		System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response.End();
		
	}

}

    Creating SPA by using AngularJS

    Create a new index.html file that will act as our view for detecting whether the client machine has the WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP) Utility installed as well as for listing client printers and to finally perform client side printing. This SPA features two parts or sections, one for "Detecting WCPP" and the other one for "Client side printing". The ClientPrintJob is generated by the controller created above from the Web API server side code. Copy/Paste the following markup:

    Be sure this html file links to jQuery 1.4.1+ and to AngularJS 1.6.4+ files!

    
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title></title>
	<meta charset="utf-8" />
    <script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-1.12.4.min.js"></script>
    <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/angularjs/1.6.4/angular.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>

    <div ng-app="myApp" ng-controller="myCtrl">

        <div id="wcppDetection">
            <div id="msgInProgress">
                <div id="mySpinner" style="width:32px;height:32px"></div>
                <br />
                <h3>Detecting WCPP utility at client side...</h3>
                <h3>Please wait a few seconds...</h3>
                <br />
            </div>
            <div id="msgInstallWCPP" style="display:none;">
                <h3>#1 Install WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP)!</h3>
                <p>
                    <strong>WCPP is a native app (without any dependencies!)</strong> that handles all print jobs
                    generated by the <strong>WebClientPrint for ASP.NET component</strong> at the server side. The WCPP
                    is in charge of the whole printing process and can be
                    installed on <strong>Windows, Linux, Mac & Raspberry Pi!</strong>
                </p>
                <p>
                    <a href="//www.neodynamic.com/downloads/wcpp/" target="_blank">Download and Install WCPP from Neodynamic website</a><br />
                </p>
                <h3>#2 After installing WCPP...</h3>
                <p>
                    <a href="#" onclick="javascript:$('#wcppDetection').hide();$('#printSection').show();">You can go and test the printing page...</a>
                </p>

                <script type="text/javascript">

                    var wcppPingTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
                    var wcppPingTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

                    function wcppDetectOnSuccess() {
                        // WCPP utility is installed at the client side
                        // redirect to WebClientPrint sample page

                        // get WCPP version
                        var wcppVer = arguments[0];
                        if (wcppVer.substring(0, 1) == "6"){
                            $('#wcppDetection').hide();
                            $('#printSection').show();
                        }   
                        else //force to install WCPP v6.0
                            wcppDetectOnFailure();
                    }

                    function wcppDetectOnFailure() {
                        // It seems WCPP is not installed at the client side
                        // ask the user to install it
                        $('#msgInProgress').hide();
                        $('#msgInstallWCPP').show();
                    }

                </script>

            </div>
            
            <input type="hidden" id="sid" name="sid" ng-value="sid" />
            <script>
                $(function () {
                    //Gen script for WCPP detection
                    $.getScript('/WebClientPrintAPI/ProcessRequest?d=' + $('#sid').val());
                });
            </script>

        </div>

        <div id="printSection" style="display:none;">
            <h3>Print TXT File</h3>

            <div>
            <label class="checkbox">
	            <input type="checkbox" id="useDefaultPrinter" /> <strong>Print to Default printer</strong> or...
            </label>
            </div>

            <div id="loadPrinters">
	            Click to load and select one of the installed printers!
	            <br />
	             <input type="button" onclick="javascript:jsWebClientPrint.getPrinters();" value="Load installed printers..." />
	            <br /><br />
            </div>

            <div id="installedPrinters" style="visibility:hidden">
	            <label for="installedPrinterName">Select an installed Printer:</label>
	            <select name="installedPrinterName" id="installedPrinterName"></select>
            </div>

            <script type="text/javascript">
	            var wcppGetPrintersTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
                var wcppGetPrintersTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

                function wcpGetPrintersOnSuccess() {
		            // Display client installed printers
		            if (arguments[0].length > 0) {
			            var p = arguments[0].split("|");
			            var options = '';
			            for (var i = 0; i < p.length; i++) {
				            options += '<option>' + p[i] + '</option>';
			            }
			            $('#installedPrinters').css('visibility', 'visible');
			            $('#installedPrinterName').html(options);
			            $('#installedPrinterName').focus();
			            $('#loadPrinters').hide();
		            } else {
			            alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
		            }
	            }
	            function wcpGetPrintersOnFailure() {
		            // Do something if printers cannot be got from the client
		            alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
	            }
            </script>

            <br />

            <a id="printBtn" href="#">Print TXT...</a>

            <script>
            $(document).ready(function(){
                $("#printBtn").click(function () {
                    //1. perform server side task
                    $.ajax({url: '@Url.Action("CreateTextFile", "CreateFile")', success: function(txtFileName){
                        alert("The text file: " + txtFileName + "was created at server side. Continue printing it...");
            
                        //2. Print the created text file specifying the file name

                        jsWebClientPrint.print('useDefaultPrinter=' + $('#useDefaultPrinter').attr('checked') + '&printerName=' + $('#installedPrinterName').val() + '&txtFileName=' + txtFileName);


                    }});
                });
            });
            </script>


            <script>
                $(function () {
                    // Create Base64 Object
                    var Base64 = { _keyStr: "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+/=", encode: function (e) { var t = ""; var n, r, i, s, o, u, a; var f = 0; e = Base64._utf8_encode(e); while (f < e.length) { n = e.charCodeAt(f++); r = e.charCodeAt(f++); i = e.charCodeAt(f++); s = n >> 2; o = (n & 3) << 4 | r >> 4; u = (r & 15) << 2 | i >> 6; a = i & 63; if (isNaN(r)) { u = a = 64 } else if (isNaN(i)) { a = 64 } t = t + this._keyStr.charAt(s) + this._keyStr.charAt(o) + this._keyStr.charAt(u) + this._keyStr.charAt(a) } return t }, _utf8_encode: function (e) { e = e.replace(/\r\n/g, "\n"); var t = ""; for (var n = 0; n < e.length; n++) { var r = e.charCodeAt(n); if (r < 128) { t += String.fromCharCode(r) } else if (r > 127 && r < 2048) { t += String.fromCharCode(r >> 6 | 192); t += String.fromCharCode(r & 63 | 128) } else { t += String.fromCharCode(r >> 12 | 224); t += String.fromCharCode(r >> 6 & 63 | 128); t += String.fromCharCode(r & 63 | 128) } } return t } }

                    // Creat script for client side printing
                    var rootUrl = $(location).attr('protocol') + "//" + $(location).attr('host');
                    var ABSOLUTE_URL_TO_PRINT_JOB_CONTROLLER = rootUrl + '/PrintTXT/PrintFile';
                    $.getScript('/WebClientPrintAPI/ProcessRequest?v6.0.0.0&' + new Date().getTime() + '&sid=' + $('#sid').val() + '&u=' + Base64.encode(ABSOLUTE_URL_TO_PRINT_JOB_CONTROLLER));
                    
                });
            </script>


        </div>
    </div>

    <script>
        var app = angular.module('myApp', []);
        app.controller('myCtrl', function($scope) {
            $scope.sid = new Date().getTime();
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>

    Creating HTTP Handlers

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it WebClientPrintAPI and then copy/paste the following code:

    
public class WebClientPrintAPI : IHttpHandler {
 
    //*********************************
    // IMPORTANT NOTE 
    // In this sample we store users related stuff (like
    // the list of printers and whether they have the WCPP 
    // client utility installed) in the Application cache
    // object part of ASP.NET BUT you can change it to 
    // another different storage (like a DB or file server)!
    // which will be required in Load Balacing scenarios
    //*********************************
 
    public void ProcessRequest (HttpContext context) {
        //get session ID
        string sessionID = (context.Request["sid"] != null) ? context.Request["sid"].ToString() : null;
 
        //get Query String
        string queryString = context.Request.Url.Query;
 
        try
        {
            //Determine and get the Type of Request 
            RequestType prType = WebClientPrint.GetProcessRequestType(queryString);
 
            if (prType == RequestType.GenPrintScript ||
                prType == RequestType.GenWcppDetectScript)
            {
                //Let WebClientPrint to generate the requested script
                byte[] script = WebClientPrint.GenerateScript(context.Request.Url.AbsoluteUri.Replace(queryString, ""), queryString);
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/javascript";
                context.Response.BinaryWrite(script);
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetWcppVersion)
            {
                //This request is a ping from the WCPP utility
                //so store the session ID indicating this user has the WCPP installed
                //also store the WCPP Version if available
                string wcppVersion = context.Request["wcppVer"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(wcppVersion))
                    wcppVersion = "1.0.0.0";
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID + "wcppInstalled", wcppVersion);
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                string printers = context.Request["printers"];
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printers) == false)
                    printers = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printers));
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID + "printers", printers);
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //WCPP Utility is sending the client installed printers with detailed info
                //so store this info with the specified session ID
                //Printers Info is in JSON format
                string printersInfo = context.Request.Form["printersInfoContent"];
 
                if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(printersInfo) == false)
                    printersInfo = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printersInfo));
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID + "printersInfo", printersInfo);
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetWcppVersion)
            {
                //return the WCPP version for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                bool sidWcppVersion = (context.Application[sessionID + "wcppInstalled"] != null);
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                context.Response.Write(sidWcppVersion ? context.Application[sessionID + "wcppInstalled"] : "");
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrinters)
            {
                //return the installed printers for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (context.Application[sessionID + "printers"] != null);
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                context.Response.Write(sidHasPrinters ? context.Application[sessionID + "printers"] : "");
 
            }
            else if (prType == RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrintersInfo)
            {
                //return the installed printers with detailed info for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                bool sidHasPrinters = (context.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] != null);
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
                context.Response.Write(sidHasPrinters ? context.Application[sessionID + "printersInfo"] : "");
 
            }
 
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            context.Response.StatusCode = 500;
            context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
            context.Response.Write(ex.Message + " - " + ex.StackTrace);
        }
 
 
 
    }
 
    public bool IsReusable {
        get {
            return false;
        }
    }
 
}
    The idea is to dynamically create a TXT file at server side BEFORE staring the printing process. The name of the created TXT file will be passed as a param to the HTTP Handler (*.ASHX) where the ClientPrintJob is created.

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it CreateTextFileHandler and then copy/paste the following code:

    
<%@ WebHandler Language="C#" Class="CreateTextFileHandler" %>

using System;
using System.Web;

public class CreateTextFileHandler : IHttpHandler {
    
        public void ProcessRequest(HttpContext context) {

            //generate random file name
            string randFileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
            //save txt file on root website folder
            System.IO.File.WriteAllText(context.Server.MapPath("~/") + randFileName + ".txt", "THIS IS A SAMPLE TEXT");
            //return file name back to client
            context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain";
            context.Response.Write(randFileName);

        }
        
    }
 
    public bool IsReusable {
        get {
            return false;
        }
    }

}

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it PrintTXTHandler and then copy/paste the following code:

    
<%@ WebHandler Language="C#" Class="PrintTXTHandler" %>

using System;
using System.Web;

using Neodynamic.SDK.Web;

public class PrintTXTHandler : IHttpHandler {
    
    /*############### IMPORTANT!!! ############
    If your website requires AUTHENTICATION, then you MUST configure THIS Handler file
    to be ANONYMOUS access allowed!!!
      ######################################### */

    public void ProcessRequest (HttpContext context) {

        if (WebClientPrint.ProcessPrintJob(context.Request.Url.Query))
        {
            bool useDefaultPrinter = (Request["useDefaultPrinter"] == "checked");
            string printerName = Server.UrlDecode(Request["printerName"]);
            string txtFileName = Request["txtFileName"];

            //full path of the txt file to be printed
            string txtFilePath = context.Server.MapPath("~/") + txtFileName + ".txt";
            
            //create a temp file name for our txt file...
            string fileName = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + System.IO.Path.GetExtension(txtFilePath);
            
            //Create a PrintFile object with the txt file
            PrintFileTXT file = new PrintFileTXT(txtFilePath, fileName);
            //Create a ClientPrintJob and send it back to the client!
            ClientPrintJob cpj = new ClientPrintJob();
            //set file to print...
            cpj.PrintFile = file;

		    //set client printer...
		    if (useDefaultPrinter || printerName == "null")
			    cpj.ClientPrinter = new DefaultPrinter();
		    else
			    cpj.ClientPrinter = new InstalledPrinter(printerName);
		
		    //send it...		    
            context.Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
            context.Response.BinaryWrite(cpj.GetContent());
            context.Response.End();
            
        }
        
    }
 
    public bool IsReusable {
        get {
            return false;
        }
    }

}

    Creating/Editing WebForm Pages

    Be sure ALL *.aspx link to jQuery 1.4.1+ file!

    The default page is for detecting whether the client machine has the WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP) Utility installed. Edit the Default.aspx file and copy/paste the following code inside the BODY:

    

<div id="msgInProgress">
    <div id="mySpinner" style="width:32px;height:32px"></div>
    <br />
    <h3>Detecting WCPP utility at client side...</h3>
    <h3>Please wait a few seconds...</h3>
    <br />
</div>
<div id="msgInstallWCPP" style="display:none;">
    <h3>#1 Install WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP)!</h3>
    <p>
        <strong>WCPP is a native app (without any dependencies!)</strong> that handles all print jobs
        generated by the <strong>WebClientPrint for ASP.NET component</strong> at the server side. The WCPP
        is in charge of the whole printing process and can be
        installed on <strong>Windows, Linux, Mac & Raspberry Pi!</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        <a href="//www.neodynamic.com/downloads/wcpp/" target="_blank" >Download and Install WCPP from Neodynamic website</a><br />
    </p>
    <h3>#2 After installing WCPP...</h3>
    <p>
        <a href="PrintTXT.aspx" >You can go and test the printing page...</a>
    </p>

</div>

    
<script type="text/javascript">

    var wcppPingTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppPingTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec
                     
    function wcppDetectOnSuccess(){
        // WCPP utility is installed at the client side
        // redirect to WebClientPrint sample page
                
        // get WCPP version
        var wcppVer = arguments[0];
        if(wcppVer.substring(0, 1) == "6")
            window.location.href = 'PrintTXT.aspx';
        else //force to install WCPP v6.0
            wcppDetectOnFailure();
    }

    function wcppDetectOnFailure() {
        // It seems WCPP is not installed at the client side
        // ask the user to install it
        $('#msgInProgress').hide();
        $('#msgInstallWCPP').show();
    }

</script>


<%-- WCPP detection script code --%>

<%=Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateWcppDetectionScript(HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/WebClientPrintAPI.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Session.SessionID)%>

    Add a new page and name it PrintTXT.aspx. Copy/paste the following code inside the BODY:

    
<h3>Print TXT File</h3>

<div>
<label class="checkbox">
	<input type="checkbox" id="useDefaultPrinter" /> <strong>Print to Default printer</strong> or...
</label>
</div>

<div id="loadPrinters">
	Click to load and select one of the installed printers!
	<br />
	 <input type="button" onclick="javascript:jsWebClientPrint.getPrinters();" value="Load installed printers..." />
	<br /><br />
</div>

<div id="installedPrinters" style="visibility:hidden">
	<label for="installedPrinterName">Select an installed Printer:</label>
	<select name="installedPrinterName" id="installedPrinterName"></select>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
	var wcppGetPrintersTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppGetPrintersTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

    function wcpGetPrintersOnSuccess() {
		// Display client installed printers
		if (arguments[0].length > 0) {
			var p = arguments[0].split("|");
			var options = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < p.length; i++) {
				options += '<option>' + p[i] + '</option>';
			}
			$('#installedPrinters').css('visibility', 'visible');
			$('#installedPrinterName').html(options);
			$('#installedPrinterName').focus();
			$('#loadPrinters').hide();
		} else {
			alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
		}
	}
	function wcpGetPrintersOnFailure() {
		// Do something if printers cannot be got from the client
		alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
	}
</script>

<br />

<a id="printBtn" href="#">Print TXT...</a>

<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
    $("#printBtn").click(function () {
        //1. perform server side task
        $.ajax({url: "CreateTextFileHandler.ashx", success: function(txtFileName){
            alert("The text file: " + txtFileName + "was created at server side. Continue printing it...");
            
            //2. Print the created text file specifying the file name

            jsWebClientPrint.print('useDefaultPrinter=' + $('#useDefaultPrinter').attr('checked') + '&printerName=' + $('#installedPrinterName').val() + '&txtFileName=' + txtFileName);


        }});
    });
});
</script>


<%-- Register the WebClientPrint script code --%>

<%=Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateScript(HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/WebClientPrintAPI.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/PrintTXTHandler.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Session.SessionID)%>

    Creating HTTP Handlers

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it WebClientPrintAPI and then copy/paste the following code:

    
<%@ WebHandler Language="VB" Class="WebClientPrintAPI" %>
 
Imports System
Imports System.Web
 
Imports Neodynamic.SDK.Web
 
 
Public Class WebClientPrintAPI : Implements IHttpHandler
 
    '*********************************
    ' IMPORTANT NOTE 
    ' In this sample we store users related stuff (like
    ' the list of printers and whether they have the WCPP 
    ' client utility installed) in the Application cache
    ' object part of ASP.NET BUT you can change it to 
    ' another different storage (like a DB or file server)!
    ' which will be required in Load Balacing scenarios
    '*********************************
 
    Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest
        'get session ID
        Dim sessionID As String = ""
        If (context.Request("sid") IsNot Nothing) Then
            sessionID = context.Request("sid")
        End If
 
        'get Query String
        Dim queryString As String = context.Request.Url.Query
 
        Try
            'Determine and get the Type of Request 
            Dim prType As RequestType = WebClientPrint.GetProcessRequestType(queryString)
 
            If prType = RequestType.GenPrintScript OrElse prType = RequestType.GenWcppDetectScript Then
                'Let WebClientPrint to generate the requested script
                Dim script As Byte() = WebClientPrint.GenerateScript(context.Request.Url.AbsoluteUri.Replace(queryString, ""), queryString)
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/javascript"
                context.Response.BinaryWrite(script)
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetWcppVersion Then
                'This request is a ping from the WCPP utility
                'so store the session ID indicating this user has the WCPP installed
                'also store the WCPP Version if available
                Dim wcppVersion As String = context.Request("wcppVer")
                If String.IsNullOrEmpty(wcppVersion) Then
                    wcppVersion = "1.0.0.0"
                End If
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID & "wcppInstalled", wcppVersion)
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrinters Then
                'WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                'so store this info with the specified session ID
                Dim printers As String = context.Request("printers")
                If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(printers) Then
                    printers = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printers))
                End If
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID & "printers", printers)
 
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientSetInstalledPrintersInfo Then
                'WCPP Utility is sending the installed printers at client side
                'so store this info with the specified session ID
                'Printers Info is in JSON format
                Dim printersInfo As String = context.Request.Form("printersInfoContent")
                If Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(printersInfo) Then
                    printersInfo = System.Text.Encoding.UTF8.GetString(Convert.FromBase64String(printersInfo))
                End If
 
                context.Application.Set(sessionID & "printersInfo", printersInfo)
 
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetWcppVersion Then
                'return the WCPP version for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                Dim sidWcppVersion As Boolean = (context.Application(sessionID & "wcppInstalled") IsNot Nothing)
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
                If (sidWcppVersion) Then
                    context.Response.Write(context.Application(sessionID & "wcppInstalled").ToString())
                End If
 
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrinters Then
                'return the installed printers for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                Dim sidHasPrinters As Boolean = (context.Application(sessionID & "printers") IsNot Nothing)
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
 
                If (sidHasPrinters) Then
                    context.Response.Write(context.Application(sessionID & "printers").ToString())
                End If
 
            ElseIf prType = RequestType.ClientGetInstalledPrintersInfo Then
                'return the installed printers with detailed info for the specified Session ID (sid) if any
                Dim sidHasPrinters As Boolean = (context.Application(sessionID & "printersInfo") IsNot Nothing)
 
                context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
 
                If (sidHasPrinters) Then
                    context.Response.Write(context.Application(sessionID & "printersInfo").ToString())
                End If
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            context.Response.StatusCode = 500
            context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            context.Response.Write(ex.Message + " - " + ex.StackTrace)
        End Try
 
 
 
    End Sub
 
 
    Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
        Get
            Return False
        End Get
    End Property
 
End Class
    The idea is to dynamically create a TXT file at server side BEFORE staring the printing process. The name of the created TXT file will be passed as a param to the HTTP Handler (*.ASHX) where the ClientPrintJob is created.

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it CreateTextFileHandler and then copy/paste the following code:

    
<%@ WebHandler Language="VB" Class="CreateTextFileHandler" %>

Imports System
Imports System.Web

Imports Neodynamic.SDK.Web

Public Class PrintTXTHandler : Implements IHttpHandler

    Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest

            'generate random file name
            Dim randFileName As String = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString()
            'save txt file on root website folder
            System.IO.File.WriteAllText(context.Server.MapPath("~/") + randFileName + ".txt", "THIS IS A SAMPLE TEXT")
            'return file name back to client
            context.Response.ContentType = "text/plain"
            context.Response.Write(randFileName)

        End If

    End Sub


    Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
        Get
            Return False
        End Get
    End Property

End Class

    Create a new Generic Handler and name it PrintTXTHandler and then copy/paste the following code:

    
<%@ WebHandler Language="VB" Class="PrintTXTHandler" %>

Imports System
Imports System.Web

Imports Neodynamic.SDK.Web

Public Class PrintTXTHandler : Implements IHttpHandler


    '############### IMPORTANT!!! ############
    ' If your website requires AUTHENTICATION, then you MUST configure THIS Handler file
    ' to be ANONYMOUS access allowed!!!
    '######################################### 


    Public Sub ProcessRequest(ByVal context As HttpContext) Implements IHttpHandler.ProcessRequest

        If WebClientPrint.ProcessPrintJob(context.Request.Url.Query) Then
            
            Dim useDefaultPrinter As Boolean = (Request("useDefaultPrinter") = "checked")
            Dim printerName As String = Server.UrlDecode(Request("printerName"))
            Dim txtFileName As String = Request("txtFileName")

            'full path of the txt file to be printed
            Dim txtFilePath As String = context.Server.MapPath("~/") + txtFileName + ".txt"

            'create a temp file name for our txt file...
            Dim fileName As String = "MyFile-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + System.IO.Path.GetExtension(txtFilePath)
            
            'Create a PrintFile object with the txt file
            Dim file As New PrintFileTXT(txtFilePath, fileName)
            'Create a ClientPrintJob and send it back to the client!
            Dim cpj As New ClientPrintJob()
            'set file to print...
            cpj.PrintFile = file

            Dim cpj As New ClientPrintJob()
            cpj.PrintFile = file
            If useDefaultPrinter OrElse printerName = "null" Then
                cpj.ClientPrinter = New DefaultPrinter()
            Else
                cpj.ClientPrinter = New InstalledPrinter(printerName)
            End If

            context.Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream"
            context.Response.BinaryWrite(cpj.GetContent())
            context.Response.End()
            
        End If

    End Sub


    Public ReadOnly Property IsReusable() As Boolean Implements IHttpHandler.IsReusable
        Get
            Return False
        End Get
    End Property

End Class

    Creating/Editing WebForm Pages

    Be sure ALL *.aspx link to jQuery 1.4.1+ file!

    The default page is for detecting whether the client machine has the WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP) Utility installed. Edit the Default.aspx file and copy/paste the following code inside the BODY:

    

<div id="msgInProgress">
    <div id="mySpinner" style="width:32px;height:32px"></div>
    <br />
    <h3>Detecting WCPP utility at client side...</h3>
    <h3>Please wait a few seconds...</h3>
    <br />
</div>
<div id="msgInstallWCPP" style="display:none;">
    <h3>#1 Install WebClientPrint Processor (WCPP)!</h3>
    <p>
        <strong>WCPP is a native app (without any dependencies!)</strong> that handles all print jobs
        generated by the <strong>WebClientPrint for ASP.NET component</strong> at the server side. The WCPP
        is in charge of the whole printing process and can be
        installed on <strong>Windows, Linux, Mac & Raspberry Pi!</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        <a href="//www.neodynamic.com/downloads/wcpp/" target="_blank" >Download and Install WCPP from Neodynamic website</a><br />
    </p>
    <h3>#2 After installing WCPP...</h3>
    <p>
        <a href="PrintTXT.aspx" >You can go and test the printing page...</a>
    </p>

</div>

    
<script type="text/javascript">

    var wcppPingTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppPingTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec
                 
    function wcppDetectOnSuccess(){
        // WCPP utility is installed at the client side
        // redirect to WebClientPrint sample page
                
        // get WCPP version
        var wcppVer = arguments[0];
        if(wcppVer.substring(0, 1) == "6")
            window.location.href = 'PrintTXT.aspx';
        else //force to install WCPP v6.0
            wcppDetectOnFailure();
    }

    function wcppDetectOnFailure() {
        // It seems WCPP is not installed at the client side
        // ask the user to install it
        $('#msgInProgress').hide();
        $('#msgInstallWCPP').show();
    }

</script>


<%-- WCPP detection script code --%>

<%=Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateWcppDetectionScript(HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/WebClientPrintAPI.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Session.SessionID)%>

    Add a new page and name it PrintTXT.aspx. Copy/paste the following code inside the BODY:

    
<h3>Print TXT File</h3>

<div>
<label class="checkbox">
	<input type="checkbox" id="useDefaultPrinter" /> <strong>Print to Default printer</strong> or...
</label>
</div>

<div id="loadPrinters">
	Click to load and select one of the installed printers!
	<br />
	randFileName
	<br /><br />
</div>

<div id="installedPrinters" style="visibility:hidden">
	<label for="installedPrinterName">Select an installed Printer:</label>
	<select name="installedPrinterName" id="installedPrinterName"></select>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
	var wcppGetPrintersTimeout_ms = 60000; //60 sec
    var wcppGetPrintersTimeoutStep_ms = 500; //0.5 sec

    function wcpGetPrintersOnSuccess() {
		// Display client installed printers
		if (arguments[0].length > 0) {
			var p = arguments[0].split("|");
			var options = '';
			for (var i = 0; i < p.length; i++) {
				options += '<option>' + p[i] + '</option>';
			}
			$('#installedPrinters').css('visibility', 'visible');
			$('#installedPrinterName').html(options);
			$('#installedPrinterName').focus();
			$('#loadPrinters').hide();
		} else {
			alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
		}
	}
	function wcpGetPrintersOnFailure() {
		// Do something if printers cannot be got from the client
		alert("No printers are installed in your system.");
	}
</script>

<br />

<a id="printBtn" href="#">Print TXT...</a>

<script>
$(document).ready(function(){
    $("#printBtn").click(function () {
        //1. perform server side task
        $.ajax({url: "CreateTextFileHandler.ashx", success: function(txtFileName){
            alert("The text file: " + txtFileName + "was created at server side. Continue printing it...");
            
            //2. Print the created text file specifying the file name

            jsWebClientPrint.print('useDefaultPrinter=' + $('#useDefaultPrinter').attr('checked') + '&printerName=' + $('#installedPrinterName').val() + '&txtFileName=' + txtFileName);


        }});
    });
});
</script>

<%-- Register the WebClientPrint script code --%>

<%=Neodynamic.SDK.Web.WebClientPrint.CreateScript(HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/WebClientPrintAPI.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Scheme + "://" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Host + ":" + HttpContext.Current.Request.Url.Port + "/PrintTXTHandler.ashx", HttpContext.Current.Session.SessionID)%>
  • That's it! Run your website and test it.


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