Scanning: A few basic questions...

[Lordshooter]

Hello.

Scanning: A few basic questions...

What is the difference between „frontend“ and „backend“ (issue about SANE and scanning)?

What does is the difference between a „backend“-version and a „stand-alone“version?

Thank you.

Alexander

[valan]

The backend is the driver for the scanner, the frontend is the program you use to get the image from the scanner. Sane handles all the inbetween stuff, so all the frontends don't need code for each individiual scanner, but instead just code to interface with sane. The stand alone version likely provides both the backend and the frontend for a particular scanner.

[Lordshooter]

Thank you so much, valan.

So: If I have the choice to install either a "backend", or a "stand-alone", for which one shall I decide?

"Stand-alone", I understood, is the more complete version. It sounds that it would be the better alternative.

But then again, I only read about the "backend", in connection with the scan programs. They do not mention often the "stand-alone". From that point of view, I would choose to install the "backend".

- But, if I only take the "backend", will I be without the "frontend", perhaps?

I intend to use the scan program "Kooka", and do hope to achieve, that all will work fine together at the end: Meaning the "backend" of the SANE version, together with the scan program. If so, I will be able to use my scanner.

I copied this following quote from a review about "Kooka":
Quote:
"Using SANE for hardware detection assures the best support for hardware and the possibility to use OCR extensions comes as a very pleasant surprise."

Oh, yes: And what about "OCR"? Will I have to pay attention to that at the moment? Or can I bother about that later, or does it has to also be set?

This is how I think about to proceed: I will try to install "backend", but if I only achieve with installing "stand-alone", I won't be unhappy, as it should still be of good use.

This is the "Read Me", for installing the right version of "backend SANE".
I actually have only downloaded it, and I can open it and view it in:
/home/alexander/Desktop/hp3900-sane1018_src_0.7.tar.gz/:

"With this document you will find the patch that modifies the stable branch of
SANE backends 1.0.18 to add the backend that allows to use hp scanjet 3900
series scanners.

Steps to install the backend are the following ones:

1- Download the sources of the stable branch of the version 1.0.18 of SANE in:
SANE - Download

2- untar the downloaded file into the wished directory:
tar xfz sane-backends-1.0.18.tar.gz

3- Go to the generated directory:
cd sane-backends-1.0.18

4- Copy the patch into sane-backends-1.0.18 directory:
cp <path>/hp3900-sane1018_0.7.diff

5- Apply the patch:
patch -p1 <hp3900-sane1018_0.7.diff

6- If you want to compile only the backend for hp3900 series scanners type:
export BACKENDS="hp3900"

7- Compile and install SANE in traditional way typing:
./configure
make
make install

Backend is still in development status. So all scanner functions are not
implemented and due to it's a bit unstable, you may need to reset scanner
after using it.“

-------------------------------------
But I have a other version as well, with backend and with stand-alone:
Quote / "Read Me":
"Project: hp3900-series
Author : Jonathan Bravo Lopez
Web : JKD Software | Software y utilidades
https://sourceforge.net/projects/hp3900-series

General
-------

hp3900-series project can be installed in two ways. As a stand-alone application
and as a SANE backend. If you want to install SANE backend you should already
have installed SANE project in your system.

Since version 0.9, hp3900-series includes some scripts to install project:
UPDATE.sh, COMPILE.sh, INSTALL.sh

The reason why there aren't specific packages for each distro (dev, rpm...) is
because SANE backend will be included in SANE project in a near future, I hope,
and dedicated packages for hp3900 would conflict with hp3900 files included in
SANE packages.

So, once backend is included in SANE, these scripts should be executed by those
people who want to install stand-alone version, or those ones who want to test
the lastest source code without waiting for a new SANE release.

A normal installation for known linux distros would use INSTALL.sh script. These
distros are: Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and SuSE.

For these ones, there are compiled binaries ready to install. For any other
distro, hp3900-series project needs to be compiled.


Steps to install project
------------------------

- Just type ./INSTALL.sh as root

- You have to select if you want to install the SANE backend or the stand-alone
application.

- Then you have to select your linux distro. If your distro is listed, you won't
need to compile project because there are compiled binaries ready to install.

- If your distro is not listed you have to compile sources, selecting "Others"
option. This option, executes COMPILE.sh script which will compile project."

_________________________


So: Which one shall I take, and how can I install the version?


Thank you again,
Alexander

[Trio3b]

I do not use Kooka but I believe it is a frontend for ocr backends. Standalone means that the software has the backend drivers and a Graphical frontend packaged together. This is why linux is so flexible, you can use different parts to mix and match to your liking.

I may be misreading your post but.... it sounds as though you are trying to install frontends and backends willy nilly. Almost all distros that I know of provide a wealth of sane backends preloaded during installation. If not....I suggest that you find and install ALL of your software through your package management system. These packages are designed specifically for your distro version. Do not install random sane and scanning packages unless they are designed specifically for your system.

hope this helps

[Lordshooter]

Hello trio, no you don't seem to understand my problem.

I have a "hp desjet 3970" scanner, and am trying to install, to get to be able to work with Linux and my laptop.

Please read the thread in this forum: "Need help to intall my SANE backend scanner-driver."

I hop I was able to clarify the facts.

Thank you.

Alexander