#REPORT FILE DEFINITION MANUAL#

Most reports, like the one shown earlier, require a basic structure with only a few nodes. You can make reports as simple or complex as you like. This function might be used to change the layout area that a print node invokes at runtime, or to conditionally skip over a portion of the report structure. For example, you can call a function at any stage of report execution by inserting a call node at the corresponding point in the report structure. Panther's unique method of defining a report, which separates layout from execution, gives you complete control over the format and sequence of output at all stages of execution. The Panther editor offers two views into a report file: the physical layouts are shown in the layout window, while the specifications for report generation are schematically rendered in the Report Structure window.Ī simple report, which is built in Chapter 4, 'Building a Sample Report,' looks like this: For a description of this database, refer to Appendix B, 'Reports Sample Database.' These examples are based on the vbizplus database. rpt it can be convenient to add an extension, so that reports can be quickly identified in the list of application screen and report files in the library.

#REPORT FILE DEFINITION MANUAL#

The examples in this manual have the extension. The Panther editor does not put default extensions on report filenames. The database connection will be maintained until the report has retrieved and processed all necessary data. Reports differ from applications in their database access requirements. Once created, a report can be invoked from an application, from a Web browser, or on the command line, and can be output to the screen, to a printer or to a file. You create the reports in the Panther editor. Part of the Panther framework is a Panther tool to build and generate reports.

Report file definition