MerPRN by JJO

     PURPOSE

     MerPRN may be invoked from the DOS prompt or from within a batch
     file (see below) to merge and print an unformatted text file pair: a
     base (target) file and its associated header. The header file
     typically contains descriptive text which complements the base and
     must have the same filename, with .Hdr as its extension.

     If no printer options are selected, MerPRN defaults to Epson and
     should be compatible with most printers.

     USAGE

     Syntax: MERPRN [?] <filespec> [options]

     Parameters: [] optional and <> required, where a parameter is a
     character or a string (no spaces). Parameter sets must be separated
     by one or more spaces where so shown above.

                              Parameter List

     ? means display this file (/? is also acceptable).

     Filespec is the target file (and its path); e. g: c:\Any\File.Ext.
        If a file with the same name and extension of .Hdr exists, it
        will be printed first as the header for the target file. If not
        present, the target file title is used as the header.

     Options, one or more of (any order and case);
        /B    forces black & white display.
        /C    centers header and date.
        /D    inserts date after the header.
        /H:c  sets header style (c = (S)tandard, (H)igh or (W)ide).
        /L:n  sets line spacing (n = 6, 4 or 8 lpi).
        /M:n  sets margin (n = 0..10).
        /N    causes pages to be numbered.
        /P:n  chooses printer port (n = 1..2).
        /Q:c  sets print quality (c = (D)raft, (E)mphasized or (L)etter).
        /T:c  sets type style (c = (P)ica, (E)lite or (C)ompressed).
        /U:c  selects printer (c = (E)pson, (D)ataproducts or (I)BM).
              The defaults are listed first.
              If H, L, Q or T are specified for other than an Epson (or
                 clone), then enter a printer code.

     NOTES

     If there are command line errors or the specified target file and/or
     printer is/are unavailable, MerPRN halts with an error message.
     Error messages are beeped and left on the screen when MerPRN
     terminates.

     If a header style is specified, it only affects printing of the
     header file or default header. If centering is specified, only the
     header and date are centered.

     This file may be printed with MerPRN or by typing at the DOS prompt
     TYPE MERPRN.TXT > PRN.


     BATCH FILE USAGE

     MerPRN is designed for execution from within a batch file. When so
     used, test for an error code returned by MerPRN and, if found, stop
     batch execution until the problem is cleared. This can be done by
     inserting a line like this after each call to MerPRN:

                          IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO Error

     where "Error" can be any line(s) which cause the batch process to
     terminate. See the sample batch file MerEx.Bat.

                                      ***