我可以在Raspberry PI上从Java打印到USB打印机吗？

Question

I am looking at creating a simple time clock. It will read barcoded id badges from an HID USB scanner. Most of it is simple to implement. Where I am stuck is when I consider writing the application in C# .net and using an old PC, or writing it for the Raspberry PI in Java. (I do not have any Java experience, but I am taking a semester class next month.)

I would prefer the Raspberry PI as the host for a number of reasons. The sticking point is, where on a Windows PC using .net there are printing facilities, I have had very little luck searching out the method where I could print the time sheets to a USB printer from the Raspberry PI using Java. (CUPS would be installed on a Raspbien OS.)

Now my question to the learned masses ... Have you successful printed from a Java application to a USB printer connected to a Raspberry PI? Do I study and use the same code on the Raspberry PI as I would use to print from Java on my Windows desktop, or does it need some other magic?

Answer 1

I have found through other sources that with CUPS properly installed, printing from Java is fully functional using the same methods as on a Windows platform; java.awt.print and javax.print.

That means I can use the Raspberry Pi for my barcode time clock project as soon as I learn enough Java.

KK

Answer 2

Sometimes, the JRE won't find the printer on a raspberry pi. Go to terminal on your raspberry pi with the printer connected and type lpstat -a and copy the printer's name that you are looking for. Then use this in your program:

String destination = "Your printer's name";
String path = "Your path to pdf";
String[] command = { "lp", "-d", destination, path};
Process proc = new ProcessBuilder(command).start();

The path to the pdf is relative to your current directory.

This program executes a command on your linux system to print your desired pdf through ProcessBuilder. It will only run on a linux system (raspberry pi).