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Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 4
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Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume 4 (1993).iso
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CHAP7.TXT
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1987-07-11
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REPORT GENERATION SYSTEM
The Flexbase Report Generation System (RGS) is designed with a 66 line
by 132 column report design area. This area can be used to layout a wide
variety of report types that include columnar, page, labels and invoices.
HELP
Help has been assigned to the F1 function key. Pressing this function
key will open a help window associated with the command or function that
you are using.
ROW TYPE IDENTIFIER
A row type identifier is a label that must be assigned to each row in the
report that you want to be printed. The different types of row type
identifiers allow you to design both simple and complex reports with ease.
Only those rows in the report design area that have been given a row type
identifier will be utilized when the report is printed to the specified
output device.
Row type identifiers are set by moving the small block cursor to the
desired row and then pressing the F3 function key. This will highlight
the current row and open a window from which you can select the desired
row type identifier. The six possible row types are:
Intr - Introduction. A row that has been tagged with
this identifier will be printed only once, at the
beginning of the report. Multiple rows of this
type are accepted.
Head - Header. This row type is printed at the top of
each report page. If the report contains Intr rows,
then the header rows will be printed below the
introduction rows on page one. Multiple header rows
are accepted.
Body - Body. A body row will be printed once for each
qualifying record in the database. Multiple body
rows are accepted.
Foot - Footer. Footer rows are printed at the bottom of
each report page. Multiple footer rows are accepted.
Conc - Conclusion. A row that has been tagged with this
identifier will be printed only once, at the end of
the report. Conclusion rows are most often used to
summarize data within the report. Multiple rows of
this type are accepted.
Break - A row that is to be printed only when the contents
of a specified field changes will be identified in
the when printed column by the name of the field.
REPORT ELEMENTS
Report elements consist of fields from the database (with or without
summary attributes assigned), free text and RGS supplied functions.
The following table displays the report element types that are allowed
or disallowed for each row type in the report. Note: If a report element
is used on a row type where it is not allowed, the RGS will consider it as
free text.
Type Allowed Not Allowed
------ ------------------------ ------------------------------
Intr Free Text,@TIME,@DATE Fields,@PAGENUM,@NEWPAGE,
Fields with summary attributes
Head Free Text,@TIME,@DATE, Fields,@NEWPAGE
@PAGENUM
Body Free Text,Fields, @NEWPAGE,@PAGENUM
Fields with summary
attributes,@TIME,@DATE
Foot Free Text,@TIME,@DATE, @NEWPAGE
Fields with summary
attributes,@PAGENUM
Conc Free Text,@TIME,@DATE, @PAGENUM
Fields with summary
attributes,@NEWPAGE
Break Free Text,Fields with @TIME,@DATE,@PAGENUM,@NEWPAGE
summary attributes
USING REPORT ELEMENTS
Free Text, as a report element, can be placed anywhere within the 66
row by 132 column boundaries.
The other report element types must be selected from a list of
available report elements. To do this, move the small block cursor to the
location in the report design area that you wish to position the desired
report element and then press F10. This opens a report element window that
lists the four @ functions and the name of each field in the database. Use
the cursor control keys to move through the list to find the desired report
element and then press Enter. The report element will be placed into the
report design area.
If the report element is a field name from the database, another window
will automatically open displaying the attributes and display parameters
for this field. If no changes are necessary, press Esc to close the window
and continue designing your report.
To make changes to the attributes and parameters within the window,
move the reverse video cursor to the desired parameter and enter the new
value. The attributes and display parameters for each field that is
displayed in the report are:
Summary - Normally used on Conc and Break
rows to summarize data within the report.
NONE - This is the default for each field.
SUM - The sum of all fields in the report
by this name will be totaled.
COUNT - The number of times that this field
is printed will be displayed.
AVG - The sum of all fields in the report
by this name will be totaled and then
the average displayed.
MIN - The minimum value printed in the report
for this field will be displayed.
MAX - The maximum value printed in the report
for this field will be displayed.
Justify - This parameter sets the field display position.
[Left ] - Contents are left justified.
[ Center ] - Contents are centered.
[ Right] - Contents are right justified.
Var - Left justified and variable length.
On Change - The contents of this field will be printed only
when the contents change. You can select one of
three parameters:
N - No, print the contents of this field for
each record in the database.
Y - Yes, print the contents of this field only
when a change is detected.
P - Yes, print the contents of this field only
when a change is detected, but, on a new page.
Length - This parameter sets the width of the displayed
field.
Decimals - For numeric field types, the number of decimal
places can be set for the report display.
Format - Sets the type of display for numeric fields.
Four of the report elements are RGS functions that can be used to
enhance the presentation of the report. They are:
@DATE - Displays the current system date.
@TIME - Displays the current system time. As the
report is printed, this value is updated.
@PAGE NUM - Prints the current page number of the report.
@NEW PAGE - Advances the paper to the next top of form.
FILE COMMANDS
F2 F U - Selects the database to be used for the report.
This command should be executed when first entering
the report generation system. Many of the commands
that will be used to design the report depend on
data peculiar to a specific database. This command
links this report design session to the specified
database so that the needed information can be
obtained.
F2 F L - Loads a Flexbase report format file.
Previously saved Flexbase report format files have
the extension <filename>.FBR. These format files
can be loaded into the report design area using this
command.
F2 F S - Saves a report design to disk.
Sometimes you may want to print a report several
times, but on different occassions. This command
allows you to save the current report design to
a disc file. It can be reloaded at at later date
using the F2-F-L command.
F2 F Q - Quits this report generation session.
This command quits the current report design session
and returns you to the DOS prompt. If you want to
save the current report design before quitting, use
the F2-F-S command.
EDIT COMMANDS
F2 E D - Delete the selected item.
To delete an item, the row or report element must
first be selected. To select a row, move the small
block cursor to the desired row and execute the
F2-E-R command which will highlight the row. Then
use this command to remove the row from the report
design. Any free text or report elements on the row
will be deleted. Move the small block cursor to the
desired report element and execute this command to
remove the single element from the report design.
F2 E I - Insert a blank row at the current cursor position.
All report elements and free text below this line
will be moved down one row. Any report design data
on row 66 will be lost.
F2 E R - Select the current row.
This command will highlight the selected row. This
row will remain as the selected item until it is
moved, deleted, or another row is selected.
Note: When deleting a selected item, a selected row
takes precedence over a selected report element.
F2 E M - Move the selected item.
When executed, this command will reverse video the
selected item so that you can easily follow it while
it is being moved. When the new position is located
press Enter. If the new position will not collide
with free text or other report elements, the move
will be allowed, otherwise, a beep will sound and
you will be given the opportunity to reposition the
selected item. To cancel a move request, press Esc.
F2 E C - Clears the report design area.
This command erases the report design area and
resets all tables.
PRINT COMMANDS
F2 P P - Print report using current parameters.
This command initiates the printing process. The
free text contents of the report design area, as
well as the report elements and their associated
attributes will be used to provide the desired
report display.
F2 P D - Set output device parameters.
This command displays an output device parameter
table that lists the current output device, margins,
page length and print font that will be used to
format the report when printed.
Note: A report that is printed to the screen will
display columns 1 thru 80 of the report design area.
Left and right margins will be disabled when printing
to the screen.
SEARCH COMMANDS
F2 S C - Set conditions to qualify records.
This command allows you to enter conditions that
must be met in order for the record to be included
in the report display. Conditions can be set for
fields that may or may not be included in the final
report display.
F2 S S - Set the sort order for the report.
This command displays a table of key fields that
can be selected to order the report. If multiple
sorting is desired, or the report will be printed
using multiple field breaks, the database should
sorted using the FBS module.
Note: If the database has been sorted using the
FBS module, leave the sort table blank or you will
interrupt the disired sort order display.
WARNING!
If you do not have a printer connected to your computer, Flexbase will
notify you that the printer is not ready. You will have to wait several
seconds for the DOS time out to occur before pressing the Esc key to cancel
the print request.
