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Report
Writer
Report Writer enables you to create custom reports to
supplement the standard reports in Taurus's various software
applications. It can be used on an "as needed" basis
to print or display information not available on the standard
report formats.
There are four basic programs in Report Writer:
1. Report - This is used to set up reports (content, format,
and structure).
2. SELECTR - This sets up extracts (selection criteria) to be
used when running SELECT.
3. SELECT - This selects records from your data files for
report printing.
4. PRINT - This prints reports you have constructed using
Report.
You can run Report Writer in one of two ways, depending on
the size of the particular data file and the information to be
extracted. For simple extractions run the utility Report, then
the PRINT utility. For more complicated extractions or
extractions on a large data file, run the utilities SELECTR,
Report, SELECT, and PRINT in that order.
The Report function prints directly from the data file,
whereas SELECT prints from an extract of selected data. Using
either, you can extract data from one main file plus any file
linked to that main file. The procedures for running both types
of reports are included in the instruction manual.
Once created, all specifications for the report are stored
for use at any time to regenerate the same report, or you can
make selected changes for variations.
You can also store "run time prompts." For example,
in the report specifications you can set up prompts for
"beginning" and "ending" dates that you
specify when you run the report. This precludes having to change
date ranges in the basic report structure each time you run the
report.
Prerequisites for Using the Program
To use Report Writer you must first have a basic
understanding of what data files are, how they are structured,
and how they relate to one another. (The section on Data
Structures in the System Reference Manual provides an overview
of this subject.) You must also know how to use the required
utilities as shown in the Report Writer manual.
The manual provides specific examples to show sequential
steps.
When you purchase Report Writer, your dealer can answer any
questions relating specifically to your software application.
Create Simple Reports
The Report Writer’s REPORT utility allows you to create and
print simple reports. REPORT functions may be added, changed, or
deleted at any time. The functions are automatically compiled as
required.
There are seven functions involved in producing a unique,
user-defined report.
- Define the basic report.
- Define the fields to print.
- Specify break point fields and totals. (Optional)
- Define sort and test specifications. (Optional)
- Create any run time prompts. (Optional)
- Create any header fields (Optional) to print at the top of
each page of the report.
- Display or print the report.
Develop Complex Reports
The Report Writer’s SELECTR utility allows you to develop
more complicated reports involving large data bases and data
extractions that require comparison between records using
"or" type logic.
The function compiler automatically processes new or changed
functions. The function compiler may be started with an argument
to process all functions.
Use the SELECTR utility to create, change, or delete the
specifications for an extract of selected data from a data file.
Each extract is a set of test criteria that is used to extract
(SELECT) certain records from a data file. There are six basic
functions involved in creating a report using the SELECTR
option.
- Define the basic report parameters.
- Create the test specifications (SELECTR Utility).
- Define the output fields.
- Run the Report utility to set up the print controls.
- Run the SELECT utility to extract the specified data.
- Run the PRINT utility to display or print the report.
Build Expressions
The EXPRMAIN utility allows you to build expressions.
Expressions are user-defined calculations for specific
fields. The results of these calculations have descriptions that
also print on reports as "new fields." Expressions
relate information within a file and between various files. The
mathematical relationships are used with all program functions.
They perform calculations for storing the result in a file, for
displaying the result, for printing the result, and for using
the result in a comparison. The expressions may include items
from any files and thus are a means of relating two or more
files. The files used in an expression are considered accessed
by the program function and must be considered when establishing
the functions.
Each expression uses up to six values and six operations. The
result is used directly by the program function, added to one of
the program function registers, or used in another expression.
Any of the six values may be a data item, the result of another
expression, the contents of a program function register, or a
constant. The operations are addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, modulus, and rounding. The operations
are performed in sequence on integer values.
As with REPORT and SELECTR, the fields must be from one main
data file or from a data file related to the main file.
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