# Printer Event Handler
A cross-platform Rust library for monitoring printer status and events on Windows and Linux systems.
[](https://crates.io/crates/printer_event_handler)
[](https://docs.rs/printer_event_handler)
[](LICENSE)
## Features
- **Cross-platform support** - Works on Windows (WMI) and Linux (CUPS)
- **Real-time monitoring** - Monitor printer status changes with customizable intervals (millisecond precision)
- **Printer discovery** - List and find printers on your system
- **Async/await support** - Built on Tokio for efficient asynchronous operations
- **Type-safe** - Strongly typed printer status and error states
- **Library + CLI** - Use as a library in your projects or as a standalone CLI tool
## Quick Start
### As a Library
Add this to your `Cargo.toml`:
```toml
[dependencies]
printer_event_handler = "1.4.0"
tokio = { version = "1.0", features = ["full"] }
```
### Basic Usage
```rust
use printer_event_handler::{PrinterMonitor, PrinterError};
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), PrinterError> {
// Create a printer monitor
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
// List all printers
let printers = monitor.list_printers().await?;
for printer in &printers {
println!("📄 {}: {}", printer.name(), printer.status_description());
if printer.has_error() {
println!(" ⚠️ Error: {}", printer.error_description());
}
}
Ok(())
}
```
### Monitor Printer Status Changes
```rust
use printer_event_handler::PrinterMonitor;
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
// Monitor a specific printer every 30 seconds (interval in milliseconds)
monitor.monitor_printer("HP LaserJet Pro", 30000, |current, previous| {
if let Some(prev) = previous {
if prev != current {
println!("🔄 Status changed: {} → {}",
prev.status_description(),
current.status_description());
if current.has_error() {
println!("❌ Error detected: {}", current.error_description());
}
}
} else {
println!("📊 Initial status: {}", current.status_description());
}
}).await?;
Ok(())
}
```
### Find Specific Printer
```rust
use printer_event_handler::PrinterMonitor;
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
match monitor.find_printer("Microsoft Print to PDF").await? {
Some(printer) => {
println!("Found printer: {}", printer.name());
println!("Status: {}", printer.status_description());
println!("Is default: {}", printer.is_default());
println!("Is offline: {}", printer.is_offline());
}
None => println!("Printer not found"),
}
Ok(())
}
```
### Check for Changes
```rust
use printer_event_handler::PrinterMonitor;
use tokio::time::{sleep, Duration};
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
// Get initial status
let initial = monitor.find_printer("Your Printer").await?;
// Wait and check again
sleep(Duration::from_secs(5)).await;
let current = monitor.find_printer("Your Printer").await?;
// Compare states
match (initial, current) {
(Some(before), Some(after)) if before != after => {
println!("Change detected!");
println!("Before: {}", before.status_description());
println!("After: {}", after.status_description());
}
(Some(_), Some(_)) => println!("No changes detected"),
_ => println!("Printer not found"),
}
Ok(())
}
```
### Advanced Property Monitoring
The library supports detailed property-level monitoring to detect specific changes:
```rust
use printer_event_handler::PrinterMonitor;
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
// Monitor all property changes with detailed tracking
monitor.monitor_printer_changes("HP LaserJet", 30000, |changes| {
if changes.has_changes() {
println!("🔄 {} changes detected in '{}':",
changes.change_count(), changes.printer_name);
for change in &changes.changes {
println!(" - {}", change.description());
}
}
}).await?;
Ok(())
}
```
#### Monitor Specific Properties
The library provides type-safe property monitoring using the `MonitorableProperty` enum:
```rust
use printer_event_handler::{PrinterMonitor, MonitorableProperty};
#[tokio::main]
async fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let monitor = PrinterMonitor::new().await?;
// Monitor only offline status changes using type-safe enum
monitor.monitor_property("HP LaserJet", MonitorableProperty::IsOffline, 60000, |change| {
println!("📶 Offline status: {}", change.description());
}).await?;
// Monitor printer status changes
monitor.monitor_property("HP LaserJet", MonitorableProperty::Status, 30000, |change| {
println!("🔄 Status changed: {}", change.description());
}).await?;
Ok(())
}
```
##### Available Properties to Monitor
The `MonitorableProperty` enum provides type-safe access to all monitorable printer properties:
```rust
pub enum MonitorableProperty {
Name, // Printer name changes
Status, // PrinterStatus enum changes (recommended)
State, // PrinterState enum changes (legacy Windows)
ErrorState, // ErrorState enum changes
IsOffline, // Online/offline status changes
IsDefault, // Default printer designation changes
PrinterStatusCode, // Raw PrinterStatus code changes (1-7)
PrinterStateCode, // Raw PrinterState code changes (.NET flags)
DetectedErrorStateCode, // Raw DetectedErrorState code changes (0-11)
ExtendedDetectedErrorStateCode, // Raw ExtendedDetectedErrorState code changes
ExtendedPrinterStatusCode, // Raw ExtendedPrinterStatus code changes
WmiStatus, // WMI Status property changes
}
```
##### Multiple Printer Monitoring
```rust
// Monitor multiple printers concurrently
let printer_names = vec!["HP LaserJet".to_string(), "Canon Printer".to_string()];
monitor.monitor_multiple_printers(printer_names, 30000, |changes| {
println!("🖨️ Multi-printer change: {} - {}",
changes.printer_name, changes.summary());
}).await?;
```
### Millisecond Precision Intervals
All monitoring functions accept intervals in **milliseconds**, providing precise control over monitoring frequency:
```rust
// High-frequency monitoring (every 100ms)
monitor.monitor_printer("Fast Printer", 100, |current, previous| {
// Handle rapid changes
}).await?;
// Standard monitoring (every 5 seconds)
monitor.monitor_printer("Standard Printer", 5000, |current, previous| {
// Handle regular changes
}).await?;
// Low-frequency monitoring (every 2 minutes)
monitor.monitor_printer("Slow Printer", 120000, |current, previous| {
// Handle infrequent changes
}).await?;
```
**Common Intervals:**
- `100` = 100ms (0.1 seconds) - High frequency
- `500` = 500ms (0.5 seconds) - Responsive
- `1000` = 1 second - Standard
- `5000` = 5 seconds - Moderate
- `30000` = 30 seconds - Conservative
- `60000` = 1 minute - Low frequency
## CLI Usage
The crate also provides a command-line interface:
```bash
# Install from crates.io
cargo install printer_event_handler
# Or run directly from source
git clone https://github.com/PajakKamil/printer_event_handler
cd printer_event_handler
```
### List All Printers
```bash
cargo run
```
Output:
```
Printer Status Checker
======================
Found 3 printer(s):
Printer #1: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428f
Status: Idle
Error State: No Error
Offline: No
Default Printer: Yes
Printer #2: HPDC7777 (HP Smart Tank 580-590 series)
Status: Offline
Error State: Service Requested
Offline: Yes
Printer #3: Microsoft Print to PDF
Status: Idle
Error State: No Error
Offline: No
```
### Monitor a Specific Printer
```bash
cargo run -- "HP LaserJet Pro"
```
Output:
```
Printer Status Monitor Service
==============================
Monitoring printer 'HP LaserJet Pro' every 60 seconds...
Press Ctrl+C to stop
[2024-01-15 14:30:15] Printer 'HP LaserJet Pro' Initial Status:
Status: Idle
Error State: No Error
Offline: No
[2024-01-15 14:31:15] Checking printer 'HP LaserJet Pro'
[2024-01-15 14:32:15] Printer 'HP LaserJet Pro' Status Changed:
Status: Idle -> Printing
Error State: No Error -> No Error
Offline: No
[2024-01-15 14:33:15] Printer 'HP LaserJet Pro' Status Changed:
Status: Printing -> Busy
Error State: No Error -> No Error
Offline: No
```
## Platform Support
| **Windows** | WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) | None (built-in) | **Complete Win32_Printer support** - Full .NET PrintQueueStatus flag support (values like 1024, 16384) and 12 DetectedErrorState values (0-11) https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/cimwin32prov/win32-printer |
| **Linux** | CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) | `cups-client` package recommended | Basic status detection (idle, printing, offline) with CUPS integration |
### Linux Setup
On Ubuntu/Debian:
```bash
sudo apt install cups
```
On RHEL/CentOS/Fedora:
```bash
sudo yum install cups # or dnf install cups-client
```
## API Reference
### Core Types
- **`PrinterMonitor`** - Main entry point for all printer operations
- **`Printer`** - Represents a printer with complete WMI information and current state
- **`MonitorableProperty`** - Type-safe enum for specifying properties to monitor
- **`PrinterStatus`** - Printer status enum (current property, values 1-7)
- **`PrinterState`** - Printer state enum (.NET PrintQueueStatus flags like 1024, 16384)
- **`ErrorState`** - Error condition enum (NoError, Jammed, NoPaper, etc.)
- **`PrinterError`** - Error type for all operations
### Complete WMI Property Access
The `Printer` struct provides comprehensive access to all Win32_Printer WMI properties:
#### Raw Status Code Methods
```rust
// Get numeric WMI status codes
printer.printer_status_code() // Option<u32> - PrinterStatus (1-7)
printer.printer_state_code() // Option<u32> - PrinterState (.NET PrintQueueStatus flags)
printer.detected_error_state_code() // Option<u32> - DetectedErrorState (0-11)
printer.extended_printer_status_code() // Option<u32> - ExtendedPrinterStatus
printer.extended_detected_error_state_code() // Option<u32> - ExtendedDetectedErrorState
printer.wmi_status() // Option<&str> - Status property
```
#### Human-Readable Description Methods
```rust
// Get human-readable descriptions for status codes
printer.printer_status_description() // Option<&'static str>
printer.printer_state_description() // Option<&'static str>
printer.detected_error_state_description() // Option<&'static str>
printer.extended_printer_status_description() // Option<&'static str>
```
#### WMI Status Values
The `wmi_status()` method returns the WMI Status property with values like:
- `"OK"` - Normal functioning
- `"Degraded"` - Functioning but with issues
- `"Error"` - Has problems
- `"Unknown"` - Cannot determine status
- `"No Contact"` - Communication lost
- And others per Microsoft documentation
#### Example: Detailed Printer Analysis
```rust
let printer = monitor.find_printer("HP Printer").await?.unwrap();
// Processed high-level information
println!("Name: {}", printer.name());
println!("Status: {}", printer.status_description());
println!("Offline: {}", printer.is_offline());
// Raw WMI analysis
println!("--- WMI Details ---");
if let Some(code) = printer.printer_status_code() {
println!("PrinterStatus: {} ({})", code,
printer.printer_status_description().unwrap_or("Unknown"));
}
if let Some(code) = printer.extended_printer_status_code() {
println!("ExtendedPrinterStatus: {} ({})", code,
printer.extended_printer_status_description().unwrap_or("Unknown"));
}
if let Some(status) = printer.wmi_status() {
println!("WMI Status: {}", status);
}
```
### Printer Status Values
The library provides comprehensive support for all Win32_Printer states:
#### PrinterStatus (Current Property, Values 1-7)
```rust
pub enum PrinterStatus {
Other, // Other status (1)
Unknown, // Unknown status (2)
Idle, // Ready to print (3)
Printing, // Currently printing (4)
Warmup, // Starting up/warming up (5)
StoppedPrinting, // Stopped mid-job (6)
Offline, // Not available (7)
StatusUnknown, // Could not determine
}
```
#### PrinterState (.NET PrintQueueStatus Flags)
Based on [.NET System.Printing.PrintQueueStatus](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.printing.printqueuestatus):
```rust
pub enum PrinterState {
None, // No status (0)
Paused, // Printer paused (1)
Error, // General error state (2)
PendingDeletion, // Queued for deletion (4)
PaperJam, // Paper jam detected (8)
PaperOut, // Out of paper (16)
ManualFeed, // Manual feed required (32)
PaperProblem, // Paper-related issue (64)
Offline, // Not available (128)
IOActive, // I/O operations active (256)
Busy, // Printer busy (512)
Printing, // Currently printing (1024)
OutputBinFull, // Output tray full (2048)
NotAvailable, // Printer not available (4096)
Waiting, // Waiting for job (8192)
Processing, // Processing job (16384)
Initializing, // Initializing (32768)
WarmingUp, // Warming up (65536)
TonerLow, // Low toner/ink (131072)
NoToner, // Out of toner/ink (262144)
PagePunt, // Page punt condition (524288)
UserInterventionRequired, // User action needed (1048576)
OutOfMemory, // Memory full (2097152)
DoorOpen, // Cover/door open (4194304)
ServerUnknown, // Server status unknown (8388608)
PowerSave, // Power save mode (16777216)
StatusUnknown, // Could not determine
}
```
**Note**: The PrinterState values are bitwise flags, so multiple states can be active simultaneously. The library automatically selects the most significant/priority state for display.
### Error States
Complete support for Win32_Printer DetectedErrorState values:
```rust
pub enum ErrorState {
NoError, // No issues (values 0, 2)
Other, // Other error (values 1, 9)
LowPaper, // Low paper (value 3)
NoPaper, // Out of paper (value 4)
LowToner, // Low toner/ink (value 5)
NoToner, // Out of toner/ink (value 6)
DoorOpen, // Cover/door open (value 7)
Jammed, // Paper jam (value 8)
ServiceRequested,// Needs maintenance (value 10)
OutputBinFull, // Output tray full (value 11)
UnknownError, // Unknown error state
}
```
## Examples
Check out the [examples](examples/) directory for comprehensive usage patterns with complete WMI property access:
- [`basic_listing.rs`](examples/basic_listing.rs) - List all printers with detailed WMI information
- [`monitor_changes.rs`](examples/monitor_changes.rs) - Monitor status changes with WMI details
- [`property_monitoring.rs`](examples/property_monitoring.rs) - Advanced property-level change detection
- [`error_handling.rs`](examples/error_handling.rs) - Proper error handling and graceful degradation
- [`async_patterns.rs`](examples/async_patterns.rs) - Advanced async usage and concurrent monitoring
### Running Examples
Examples have their own Cargo.toml to keep the main library lightweight:
```bash
cd examples
cargo run --bin basic_listing
cargo run --bin monitor_changes -- "Printer Name"
```
Or from the main directory:
```bash
cargo run --manifest-path examples/Cargo.toml --bin basic_listing
```
## Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request. For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.
### Development
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/PajakKamil/printer_event_handler
cd printer_event_handler
# Run tests
cargo test
# Check formatting
cargo fmt
# Run linter
cargo clippy
# Build documentation
cargo doc --open
```
## License
This project is licensed under either of
- Apache License, Version 2.0, ([LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE) or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
- MIT license ([LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT) or http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
at your option.
## Changelog
See [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) for details about changes in each version.