RDF Reports FAQ

RDF Reports FAQ:

DATA TRIGGERS:

Ref Cursor Query. 

This uses PL/SQL to fetch data for the report.

In this a PL/SQL function need to be specified to return a cursor value from a cursor variable.

Group Filter: 

This is PL/SQL function that determines which record to be included in a group in the property of PL/SQL.

 The function must return a BOOLEAN value.

True … Includes the current record in the report.

False…. Excludes the current record from the report.

Formula 

These are PL/SQL functions that populate formula or place holder columns.

Validation Trigger 

 These are also PL/SQL functions that are executed when parameter values specified on the command line and when the run time parameter form is accepted.

 Are also used to validate the initial value property of the parameter.

Layout Triggers Format Trigger.

These are PL/SQL functions executed before the object is formatted.

Used to dynamically change the formatting attributes of the object.

Action Trigger 

These are PI/SQL procedures executed when a button is selected in the run time

Previewer:          This can be used to dynamically call another report or execute any other PUSQL.

Formula Column

It performs a user-defined computation on another columns data, including Place-holder columns. Formulas are PL/SQL functions that populate formula or place holder columns.

Cannot be used to populate parameter values.

Summary Column

Performs a computation on another columns data like sum, average, count ,minimum, maximum,% , total.

For group reports, the report wizard and data wizard create 'n' summary fields in the data model for each summary column that is defined.

 -- One at each group level above the column being summarized.

 -- One at the report level.

Place Holder Column

A place holder column is a column for which , the data type and value can be set dynamically (Pro grammatically)

The value can be set for a place holder column in the following places.

Before report trigger if the place holder is a report level column.

Report level formula column, if the place holder is a report level column.

A formula in the place holders group below it (The Value is set once for each record of the group)

Repeating Frame

Repeating frame surrounds all of the fields that are created for a groups columns.

Repeating frame prints once for each record of the group.

For frames and repeating frames, the property elasticity defines whether the size of the frame or repeating frame should with the objects inside of it at run time.

Frame

Surrounds the objects and protect them from being over written or pushed by other objects.

System Parameters in Reports

Background

Copies

Currency

Decimal 

Desformat

Desname

Destype --can only be FILE,PRINTER or MAIL.

Mode

Orientation

Print Job

Thousands.

Data Link

Data links relate the results of multiple queries.

Data link (Parent - Child Relation ship) causes the child query to be executed once for each instance of it's parent group.

Confined Mode
If it is on, Child objects cannot be moved outside their enclosing parent objects.
It it is off child objects can be moved out sides their enclosing parent objects.

Flex Mode
If it is on, parent borders stretch when child objects are moved against them.
If it is off, parent borders remain fixed when child objects are moved against them.

Parameters
A parameter is a variable whose value can be set at run time (from the run time parameter of the command line).
User parameters are created by the user and system parameters are created by Report Builder.
System parameters cannot be renamed or deleted.

Bind Parameters (Variables)
Bind references (or Variables) are used to replace a single value in SQL or PL/SQL, such as a character string, number or date.
Bind references may be used to replace expressions in SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY and START WITH clauses of queries.
Bind references cannot be referenced in FROM clauses.
Bind variables can be referenced by entering a colon ':' followed immediately by the column or parameter name.
If the parameter / Column i snot created before making a bind reference, report builder will create a parameter.

Lexical Parameters (Variables)
Lexical references are place holders for text  that is embedded in a SELECT statement.
Lexical Variables can replace the clauses appearing after SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY, and START WITH.

How to call a Report in two applications ?

SRW Package is a collection of PL/SQL constructs that contain many functions, procedures and exceptions that can be referenced in Reports.
SRW.Break
SRW.Context_Failure
SRW.Do_SQL

• Executes specified SQL statement.

SRW.Do_SQL_Failure

• Stops report execution upon SRW.Do_SQL failure.

SRW.Get_Page_Num
SRW.Message

• SRW.Message(msg_number number,msg_text char);
• Displays a specified message and message number.

SRW.Program_Abort

• Stops execution of report when raised.

SRW.Refrence
SRW.Run_Report
SRW.Run_Report_Failure

1. Stops Report execution when failure of SRW.Run_Report occurs.
2.  By using SRW.Run_Report, another report can be called to the screen from a button with in one report.
3. If this used from a Report Trigger, BATCH=YES must be passed.
4. Ex: 

            Function F1 return Boolean is
            Begin
            SRW.RUN_REPORT('Report=Rep_A,P_Param1=20');
            --Calls Report Rep-A and displays to screen
           --Passes a parameter 20 to the param1
            Exception
            When SRW.Run_Report_Failure Then
              SRW.Messgae(100,'Error Calling Report');
              Raise SRW.Program_Abort;
              Return True;
              End;
SRW.Set_Altr

• Applies attribute settings, such as font, colour to lay out objects.
• This procedure applies formatting attributes to the current frame, repeating frame, field or boiler plate object.

SRW.Integer_Error
SRW.Set_Field_char (Object_id, text char);
SRW.Set_field_Date (Object_id, date date);
SRW.Set_Field_Num(Object_id, number number);

• It is very useful in format triggers.
• They are used to change data that will be displayed on a particular item based on a specific condition.

SRW.Set_Maxrow
SRW.Trace_Add_Option
SRW.Trace_End
SRW.Trace_Start
SRW.User_Exit
SRW.User_EXit_Failure
SRW.Run_Report(command_line,char);
Executes specified R25 RUN Command

Can we have more than one layout in report ?
Yes it is possible to have more than one layout in a report by using additional layout option in the layout editor.