Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!im4u!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!edwards
From: edwards@bgsuvax.UUCP (Bruce Edwards)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.postscript
Subject: Re: input from files, postscript
Message-ID: <2042@bgsuvax.UUCP>
Date: 4 May 88 00:31:55 GMT
References: <1089@sask.UUCP>
Organization: Bowling Green State University B.G., Oh.
Lines: 49
Keywords: input, postscript

In article <1089@sask.UUCP>, ho@sask.UUCP (Wing Ho) writes:
> 
> 
> Does postscript have the ability to read input from files?
> I am trying to write a program so that it could plot
> some nice graphs.
> 
> Or is there such a program around already?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Wing Ho
> 
> uucp: ihnp4!sask!ho

Yes, PostScript does have the ability to input from files. It is a
fully functional language. Should you use the PS functions to get
your data? In my opinion no. You could attach your data to the
end of a PS file and have the script read from the end of itself
(if that makes sense ;-) but even that is going to greatly reduce
the speed at which your final product is generated. The best way
to go about it, I think, is the 'brute force' approach. Shove your
data directly into the PS file as the arguments to specific operators.
This has the effect of producing 'ugly' redundant code but only your
output device (like Clarol's hairdresser) will know. The advantage is
that the output device will eat your PS lickity split and give you
your graphs. I presume its graphic output and not elegantly refined
code you're after. ;-)

 
Disclaimer: I am participating as a guest of Bruce Edwards. My name
            is Ken Jenkins. Bruce is generally amused with my ramblings
            but does not necessarily agree with them.

            'These are only the shadowlands.' C.S. Lewis 
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            or

      U.S. Snail:  Ken Jenkins
                   c/o Century Marketing Corp.
                   12836 S. Dixie Hwy.
                   Bowling Green, OH 43402 
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