Name: jk109818 Date: 09/03/2003


A DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST :
Actually calling this method works well, but ONLY if printers are connected on the LAN... When disconnected, the program hangs for at least 3' before returning the PrinterJob.

The PrinterJob.lookUpPrintServices() call has the same problem, leading to the same symptoms.

I suggest:

    a) to create a new method, returning true if there is an active LAN connection.
or b) to enhance the PrinterJob.lookUpPrintServices() method, avoiding LAN scan when it isn't connected.


JUSTIFICATION :
I know print services can take time over the LAN when requesting flavors, but on the opposite side, a simple method could inform the client program when no LAN connection is available, thus permitting to avoid the long wait for the PrinterJob.
 


EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Typical use could be - for a) above:

   // Test LAN (avoid minutes!)
   if (PrinterJob.isLanAvailable()) {
      // Find services (can take seconds!)
      PrintServices[] services = PrinterJob.lookUpPrintServices(ANY_FORMAT);
      if (services.length > 0) {
         // Use the services and print...
      }
   }

Or - for b) above:

   // Find services (avoid minutes if LAN disconnected!)
   PrintServices[] services = PrinterJob.lookUpPrintServices(ANY_FORMAT);
   // (Perhaps should it be for compatibility)
   //PrintServices[] services = PrinterJob.lookUpPrintServices(ANY_FORMAT, SHORT_SCAN); // SHORT_SCAN is boolean for LAN scan
   if (services.length > 0) {
      // Use the services and print...
   }


ACTUAL -
Takes about 15-30" on normal context (connected),
but waits 3-4' when LAN disconnected!
(see source below)

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import java.awt.print.PrinterJob;
import javax.print.PrintService;
import javax.print.PrintServiceLookup;
import java.util.Date;

public class PrintHangTest {

   public PrintHangTest() {
         logMsg("------ get PRINTER JOB ------ START");
         PrinterJob printJob = PrinterJob.getPrinterJob();
         logMsg("------ get PRINTER JOB ------ END");

         logMsg("------ get PRINT SERVICES ------ START");
         PrintService[] services = PrintServiceLookup.lookupPrintServices(null, null);
// or PrintService[] services = PrinterJob.lookupPrintServices();

         logMsg("------ get PRINT SERVICES ------ END");
         System.exit(0);
   }
   
   public static void main(String[] args) {
      new PrintHangTest();
   }
   
   private void logMsg(String msg) {
      Date d = new Date();
      System.out.println(d.toString() + " > " + msg);
   }
}


---------- END SOURCE ----------
(Incident Review ID: 201517)
======================================================================