Inquiry about PrintDialog Properties button behavior on Linux (JDK-8246742)

[David Holmes]

Hi,

This is probably better directed to the client-libs-dev at openjdk.org 
mailing list.

Regards,
David

On 21/03/2025 4:20 pm, last last wrote:
> *Dear OpenJDK Community,*
> 
> I'm writing regarding an observation about the PrintDialog's Properties 
> button behavior on Linux platforms. On my Ubuntu 20.04 system (OpenJDK 
> version: 17), I noticed that the Properties button in the print dialog 
> remains disabled.
> 
> Through previous research, I found this is documented in JDK-8246742 
> ("Disable Properties button in PrintDialog for Unixes and Mac"). The 
> ticket suggests this behavior was intentionally implemented.
> 
> But from a user perspective, this disabled state raises some concerns:
> 
>  1. 1.Users familiar with Windows implementation may find this inconsistent
>  2. 2.Prevents access to printer-specific options that might otherwise
>     be configurable
>  3. 3.Could be confusing for applications relying on this functionality
> 
> Reproducer:
> import java.awt.*;
> import java.awt.print.*;
> 
> public class PrintDialogExample implements Printable {
> 
>      public static void main(String[] args) {
>          // 创建 PrinterJob 对象
>          PrinterJob printerJob = PrinterJob.getPrinterJob();
> 
>          // 设置打印内容
>          printerJob.setPrintable(new PrintDialogExample());
> 
>          // 显示打印对话框
>          if (printerJob.printDialog()) {
>              try {
>                  // 执行打印任务
>                  printerJob.print();
>                  System.out.println("Printing complete.");
>              } catch (PrinterException e) {
>                  e.printStackTrace();
>              }
>          } else {
>              System.out.println("Printing cancelled.");
>          }
>      }
> 
>      @Override
>      public int print(Graphics graphics, PageFormat pageFormat, int 
> pageIndex) throws PrinterException {
>          // 只打印第一页
>          if (pageIndex > 0) {
>              return Printable.NO_SUCH_PAGE;
>          }
> 
>          // 将 Graphics 对象转换为 Graphics2D
>          Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) graphics;
> 
>          // 设置字体和颜色
>          g2d.setFont(new Font("Serif", Font.PLAIN, 12));
>          g2d.setColor(Color.BLACK);
> 
>          // 打印文本
>          String text = "Hello, this is a test print job!";
>          g2d.drawString(text, 100, 100);
> 
>          // 返回打印成功
>          return Printable.PAGE_EXISTS;
>      }
> }
> 
> I'd like to inquire:
> 
>  1. 1.Is this considered an accepted platform behavior difference?
>  2. 2.Are there any plans to implement native printer property support
>     for Linux/MacOS?
>  3. 3.Would there be value in creating a feature request for this
>     capability?
> 
> Additional environment details:
> 
>   * Desktop Environment: GNOME [3.34.3-0ubuntu1 ]
>   * Default Print System: CUPS [2.3.1-9ubuntu1.4]
> 
> Thank you for your insights. I'm happy to provide further testing 
> support if needed.
>