Progress
Report Builder
User’s Guide


How Report Builder Generates Reports

Before Report Builder can produce a report, you must first connect to the database or databases that contain the data you want to display. Then you use Report Builder to create the report definition. The report definition defines the report characteristics that tell Report Builder where to find the data and how to display and print the data. Although Report Builder displays the data in the database according to the information in the report definition, it does not in any way change the data or store the data itself in the report definition. Figure 1–1 illustrates how Report Builder uses database information in the report definition.

Figure 1–1: Creating a Report Definition

The first step in creating a report definition is to specify the master table from which to draw the report data. The master table is the database table that Report Builder uses as the initial source of data for the report.

The next step is to determine whether you have to access data in other database tables. To access fields in another database table, you must join that table to the master table. When you join the table, you establish a connection to the master table or another related table through a common field or fields. All tables that you join to the master table are called related tables. You can join tables either directly to the master table or through other related tables.

Figure 1–2 illustrates how Report Builder joins tables.

Figure 1–2: Joining on a Common Field

When you join a table, you gain access to all the data in the table. However, to use the data from the database tables in the report, you must specify how to present data in the report definition.

When you create the report definition, you not only specify what database tables you want to access, but also how you want to arrange, analyze, and format the data. For example, by default Report Builder displays records in the order in which they are read from the master table. However, you can change the sort order in the report definition to display the data in any order. Regardless of how you present the data, Report Builder does not change the data in the database. For example, if you change the sort order and field formats in a report, the changes do not affect the actual schema or data.

You can manipulate the data to produce different types of reports. As you design a report, you can move text and data around the report layout, create calculated fields that analyze the data, and apply fonts and styles to different areas of the report. You can also preview the report to see how Report Builder will present the data.

Once you finish the report definition, Report Builder can generate the report. Figure 1–3 shows how Report Builder uses the database and report definition to produce a report.

Figure 1–3: How Report Builder Generates a Report

Report Builder accesses the database and presents the data according to the criteria in the report definition.

You must save the report definition if you want to generate the report in a future session. When you save a report definition, Report Builder stores the definition in a file called a report library. A report library is an operating system file that can contain one or more report definitions. You can assign a report library any eight-character name, and Report Builder automatically appends the .prl extension. This extension identifies the library as a Progress report library.

Figure 1–4 shows how Report Builder stores report definitions in a report library.

Figure 1–4: How Report Libraries Store Report Definitions

When you save a report definition to a report library, Report Builder saves all the information relevant to the report. This information includes:

Because the definition contains all the information required to generate the report, you can use the report definition to generate the report at any time using the specified database.


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