Running a desktop report from the web

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

I have a desktop application to which I'm adding a UX interface. Specifically, a customer can log in, update a couple of fields and then run a report.

The Application is LAN based and is using dbf tables. The report needs to be filtered to yield the correct results. On the desktop, I wrote a script that would set a number of global variables. There are a number of lookups to tables and a number of calculated fields on the report.

Here's some of the xbasic code needed to generate the report.

IF vRptDays = "" THEN
	vRptDays = convert_type(a5_eval_expression("=alltrim(lookup(\"defaults\",\"Transno =\" + s_quote(vcTransno),\"Days\"))"),"C")
END IF

IF vRptHours = "" THEN
	vRptHours = convert_type(a5_eval_expression("=alltrim(lookup(\"defaults\",\"Transno =\" + s_quote(vcTransno),\"Hours\"))"),"C")
END IF

IF vRptCycles = "" THEN
	vRptCycles = convert_type(a5_eval_expression("=alltrim(lookup(\"defaults\",\"Transno =\" + s_quote(vcTransno),\"Cycles\"))"),"C")
END IF

vDays = var->vRptDays
vHours = var->vRptHours
vCycles = var->vRptCycles

vRptDays = vDays
vRptHours = vHours
vRptCycles = vCycles
'vRptLdgs = vLdgs

query1 = "Maint_Work->transno=Var->vcTransno.AND.Maint_Work->Recurring=.T..AND."
query2 = ".NOT.isblank('Date_Due').AND.(Date_Due-now()<=val(Var->vRptDays))"
query3 = "Hour_Int<>0.AND.(val(Var->vRptHours)+lookup('defaults','Transno ='+s_quote(vcTransno),'AFTT')>=Hours_Due)"
query4 = "Cycle_Int<>0.AND.(val(Var->vRptCycles)+lookup('defaults','Transno ='+s_quote(vcTransno),'Lecyc')>=Cycles_Due)"
query5 = "Cycle_Int<>0.AND.(val(Var->vRptCycles)+lookup('defaults','Transno ='+s_quote(vcTransno),'Engcyc')>=Cycles_Due)"
query6 = "Cycle_Int<>0.AND.(val(Var->vRptCycles)+lookup('defaults','Transno ='+s_quote(vcTransno),'Recyc')>=Cycles_Due)"
'' query7 is used for aux hobbs.  not included at this time
query7 = "auxhobbsInt<>0.AND.val(Var->vRptHours)+AuxHobbscur>=AuxHobbsDue"
query.filter = query1+query2+".OR."+query1+query3+".OR."+query1+query4+".OR."+query1+query5+".OR."+query1+query6+".OR."+query1+query7

I have had some success running the report from the web, but most of the calculated fields error out. Is it possible to run an xbasic script from the web? Is it possible to set global variables for reports to use?

What I want is on the left and what I get is on the right.

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

Bump

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

I have finally gotten around to tackle this problem again.

I have created a UX component.
I have a data control, list which has all the fields I need for my report.
The list returns 15 fields.
Some of the fields would be changeable to filter the report.

It looks like I can create session variables from the data in the fields of the selected list row.
I would need a session variable for each field.

I then can reference the session variables as calculated fields in my report.

I can't figure out how to create the session variables.

If the user were to change the value in some of the fields, the session variable would
need to be updated after the submit button was pressed.

TIA,

Ron

[elkton_john]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

Ron,

There are different methods that can be used to set the report variables. If you want to pass session variables, you need to set them using server side xbasic. However, using arguments is a relatively easy method.



In the report:

1. Create arguments (Edit menu) for each of the variables to be used and be sure the scope is appropriate (1.e. character, number) (ex.argVar1, argVar2 ...)

2. Under the 'on print initiation' event, dim and set the values for each argument as follows:


DIM SHARED var1 as c
var1 = A5_GetArgumentValue("argVar1")
DIM SHARED var2 as n
var1 = A5_GetArgumentValue("argVar2")
...

3. Under the variables menu, Define session variables, setting defaults:

var1=""
Var2=0

...

4. Save the report

In the web UX:

1. Create a control for each variable to be set

2. Create a button to call the report.

3. Bind the arguments to each control.

Hope this helps.

John

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

John,

Thank you so much for your step by step response. Excellent!
I tested just two fields but this is what I was looking for.

Sincerely,

Ron

[elkton_john]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

Ron,
You're welcome. Also, to respond more directly to your original question, her is how to set session variables in the report context.

Create an xbasic function with 'e as p' for the argument. Set the session variables to the controls by way of the data submitted element. For example:

function setVar as c (e as p)

session.var1 = e.datasubmitted.control1

etc.

end function

In the action javascript that is attached to the button, insert an ajax callback action before the print report action.
In the line for the xbasic function type in the function name without the argument or parentheses (i.e. 'setVar')

The session.variable can be addressed directly by the report. However, in the past I ran into some issues with the variables not setting correctly because AJAX is asynchronous. As such, the report may begin to run before all of the variables have been set. You can add some delays and such but the argument method I think is more foolproof.

John

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

John,

Thanks again. I've copied your lessons and have saved them for future reference.

I'm still working on the report and I'm making a lot of headway. When running the report in working Preview,
the report runs alright. However; when trying to run the report in live preview, I get an Alpha error message.

Any ideas on what could be causing this error? I suspect it has something to do with the arguments, but I
really do not know where to begin looking. I've checked everything I have and it all looks good.

Thanks again,

Ron

[elkton_john]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

Ron,

This error usually means that an argument is null. It could be that one of the controls was not populated or an argument was not bound to a control. If you check this and still get the error, try debugging it. Edit the button calling the report. Click the convert to 'server side xbasic'. Then enter a debug(1) in the 1st line. Save and run it. Check the values of the arguments and see if any errors pop up. Also check your page security and report security settings to be sure they are allowed.

John

John

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Running a desktop report from the web

Thanks again John. You were right on.

This error usually means that an argument is null.