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Report Builder
User’s Guide
Glossary
Aggregate FieldA user-defined field that computes summary information about a set of records in the report.
ASCIIA seven-bit code representing upper and lower case letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation marks. ASCII is an acronym for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
BandAn area on the report layout that controls where Report Builder displays and prints data. Bands consist of one or more band lines.
Band AreaThe area at the left edge of the report layout where Report Builder identifies the band type.
Band LineA horizontal bar within a band on which you place fields, lines, rectangles, and images.
Band Line PropertiesThe properties that specify additional information about how to present data on the band line.
Before-image FileA file that ensures database integrity by keeping track of the status of your database in the event that a transaction is not completed or a system failure occurs. Unless you explicitly place this file somewhere else with the Before Image File Name (-g) startup parameter, the BI file is located in the same directory as your DB file. You can think of the before-image file as a pretransaction image of the database records your application is modifying. See also after-image file.
Built-in FunctionA Report Builder-provided formula that performs a calculation, conversion, or specified operation such as returning the system date or the current page number.
Calculated FieldA user-defined field that calculates values as Report Builder generates the report.
Composite RecordThe record resulting from joining the tables used in a report.
Composite TableThe records resulting from all the joins in a report definition.
Controlling TableThe table used to initiate a join.
Cross-tab ReportA report that provides totals for both rows and columns of data.
Field Width IndicatorThe representation of a field’s width on the report layout. By default, Report Builder indicates a field’s position and width on the layout with a shaded area. However, you can modify the field width indicator by changing the shading color or simply using an outline box.
FilterConditions that allow you to narrow the focus of a report to the specific data you want to display. Filters can consist of one or more conditions that specify what data Report Builder is to retrieve for the report.
Font Point SizeA font’s height measured in printers’ points (1 point = 1/72 inch) which is the standard unit of measurement used by professional printers.
FooterText or data placed at the bottom of each page in a report. There are two types of footers in Report Builder reports: page footers and group footers.
Group FooterText or data on the group footer band lines that replaces the text or data in the page footer on the last page of a group. Also see page footer.
Group HeaderText or data on the group header band lines that replaces the text or data in the page header on the first page of a new group. Also see page footer.
HeaderText or data placed at the top of each page in a report. There are two types of headers in Report Builder reports: page headers and group headers.
Inner JoinA join that includes only those records that have matching values in both tables. Records from either table that do not have a match in the other table are not included in the report.
Instant Layout OptionThe Report Builder option that creates a basic report layout which you can customize as needed. You can use the Instant Layout at any point while creating the report definition.
JoinA user-defined connection between tables that allows Report Builder to gather data from more than one table for a report. When you join tables, you establish a connection between two tables.
Join Field PairA pair of fields Report Builder uses to join two tables. The pair is made up of one field from the controlling table and one from the related table.
Left Outer JoinA join that includes all records in the controlling table regardless of whether there are any matching records in the related table. Report Builder includes all the records in the controlling table and any records from the related table that match the join field value in the controlling table. When there is no matching controlling table record, Report Builder sets the related table fields to UNKNOWN.
Master TableThe database table that Report Builder uses as the initial source of data for the report.
Memo FieldA portion of text in an unformatted text file that you include in the report layout. You can attach the unformatted text file (memo file) to the report, and then include memo fields in the report layout as you would any other type of field.
Memo FileUnformatted text file that contains the text you want to include in a report. Unformatted means that the file does not contain format information from the text editor or word processing program in which you created or edited the file.
Outer JoinA join that includes all the records in one table regardless of whether there are any matching records in the other table. Report Builder supports two types of outer joins: left and right. See left outer join and right outer join.
Page FooterText or data on the page footer band lines that appears at the bottom of each page of a report. The page footer can be replaced by the group footer on the last page of a group. Also see group footer.
Page HeaderText or data on the page header band lines appears at the top of each page in a report. The page header can be replaced by the group header on the first page of a new group. Also see group footer.
ParameterAn argument to a built-in or user-defined function. It can be a constant value, field, or expression. The parameters to a function provide the actual values that the function processes.
Proportional FontA font that has characters of different widths.
Related TableThe table that you join to the controlling table when you define a join. All tables in a report except the master table are called related tables.
ReportAn organized display of data from a database.
Report DefinitionA named set of report characteristics that tells Report Builder where to find the data and how to display and print the data.
Report LayoutThe schematic representation of the report that contains the fields, text, and any lines, rectangles or images that will appear in the report.
Report LibraryAn operating system file that contains one or more report definitions.
Right Outer JoinA join that includes all records in the related table regardless of whether there are any matching records in the controlling table. Report Builder includes all the records in the related table and any records from the controlling table that match the join field value in the related table join field value. When there is no matching controlling table record, Report Builder sets the related table fields to UNKNOWN.
Server-evaluatable FieldA calculated field you can use in a sort, join, or filter that the database server, rather than Report Builder, is capable of evaluating.
Server-evaluatable FilterA filter that the database server, rather than Report Builder, evaluates.
Text FieldA text string that you enter on the report layout, such as a column label or report title.
User-defined FieldA field that you create within a report, such as an aggregate, calculated, or memo field.
User-defined Function (UDF)A function you create to supplement Report Builder’s built-in functions. You specify the function’s expression and the number and types of parameters it requires, then use the UDF in a calculated field expression as you would any built-in function. You can use a UDF in multiple reports.
Working DatabaseThe connected database that is currently in use. Multiple databases can be connected at any time, but only one is the current, working database.
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