print viewbox to pdf or html possible?

[cptutrecht]

Hi,

Wanted to use a viewbox as alternative to a (complex) report with nested queries. Because a traditional report is much to slow and doesn't need to be printed all the time.
Is it possible to print the content of a viewbox to pdf or html like in layout reports?
If not, has anybody suggestions for an alternative solution?

thanks,
Ger Kurvers

[peteconway]

I've been meaning to try this.. `haven't go around to it yet - but this is the starting pont.
https://download.alphasoftware.com/R...easeNotes.Html search for the word beautifully
Also look this up in the AA Help and watch the Video.. Absolute Layout Container - Create PDF

See how you go.

Pete

[cptutrecht]

I've been meaning to try this.. `haven't go around to it yet - but this is the starting pont.
https://download.alphasoftware.com/R...easeNotes.Html search for the word beautifully
Also look this up in the AA Help and watch the Video.. Absolute Layout Container - Create PDF

See how you go.

Pete

Hi Pete,

Thank for putting me in this direction, looks promising. I'm working on the email-option, but think I can combine that with the htmlToPdf function. Than I can use it indeed as an alternatieve for slow reports based on subqueries, Once I succeed I post an example,

However, right now I'm stuck with a simple thing: passing arguments when a viewbox is based on an xbasic function.
I can get passing a argument perfectly working. See attached component based on northwind. But that code doesn't allow me to edit the viewbox anymore in the editor. Complains about type mismatch of arguments when entering field or layout tab of the viewbox. (see screenshot)

So in the xbasic function I have to switch between argument definition and hard coding argument, very annoying:

args.add("WHATPRODUCTID",convert_type(e.arguments.find("whatproductid").data,"N")) 'THIS Definition blocks editing the viewbox
'args.add("WHATPRODUCTID","5") 'This definition allows editing the viewbox, but blocks passing the argument

I cannot create a bugreport because I'm a few official release behind.
But maybe somebody has encountered this before and can help out. Thanks in advance!
Below the full xbasic code for populating the viewbox. And in the attachment a sample component based on nothwind

function getOrderData as c (e as p)
'Generates the data for the ViewBox.
'The e object that is passed in includes:
'e.tmpl = UX definition
'e.arguments - The SQL::arguments object
'e.mode - Either 'Builder' - function was called from the ViewBox builder or 'Runtime' - function was called at runtime.


'Your code must return the JSON data for the ViewBox
'Example
'dim p as p
'p.firstname = "Fred"
'p.lastname = "Jones"
'getCustomerData = json_generate(p)

'DIM a SQL arguments object
dim args as sql::arguments

args.add("WHATPRODUCTID",convert_type(e.arguments.find("whatproductid").data,"N")) 'THIS Definition blocks editing the viewbox
'args.add("WHATPRODUCTID","5") 'This definition allows editing the viewbox, but block passing the argument

'debug(1)


'DIM an Xbasic AlphaDAO connection object
dim cn as sql::connection
dim flag as l
''open the connection object to connect to the Database
flag = cn.open("::Name::Northwind")
dim sql as c
sql = <<%txt%
SELECT * FROM ((products products LEFT OUTER JOIN order_details order_details
ON products.ProductID = order_details.ProductID )
INNER JOIN orders orders
ON( order_details.OrderID = orders.OrderID ))
INNER JOIN suppliers suppliers
ON( products.SupplierID = suppliers.SupplierID )
WHERE products.ProductID = :WHATPRODUCTID
%txt%
'turn portable SQL on. (for more information on portable sql search in help (https://www.alphasoftware.com/documentation)
'execute the SQL - pass in the sql::arguments object
flag = cn.execute(sql,args)
if flag = .f. then
'an error occurred - get the error message from cn.callresult.text
'report the error, close the database and then end the script
dim errortext as c
errortext = cn.callresult.text
cn.close()
end if
'DIM a SQL::Resultset object
dim rs as sql::resultset
rs = cn.resultset
'get the JSON from the query
dim json as c
json = rs.toJSON()
'Clean up by freeing the resultset and then closing the database
cn.freeresult()
cn.close()
getOrderData = json

end function

[peteconway]

Hope this helps you. Watch the video and the component is attached.

https://www.screencast.com/t/aAtMQauajiWp

ViewboxXbasicTestAlternate.zip

[cptutrecht]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for your suggestions, we share the preference for viewbox.
I use the technique you suggest in other parts of our application and indeed that works great.

But in this specific usecase (a component, generating content like in a report, to print to pdf) I really need working with arguments and viewboxes getting theire content from xbasic calls.

In real application it will be a component with multiple viewboxes because the report I try to subtitute is a complex report with subreports. And part of the xbasic are procedure calls. Far too complex for the sql builder in the viewbox itself.
I don't want that component to contain list for getting the arguments. The component will be opened from other parts of the application, just to generate the 'report'-content....

As you have seen in the sample component that is not a problem.
Problem is that I cannot open the viewbox tab fields and tab layout when that xbasic uses arguments to make further adjustment to the viewbox in devellopment..
So I hope to find a solution for this specific problem.

Nevertheless: your advice is appriciated, thanks again!

[kkfin]

I was interested some time ago of subject and I am sure you have watched this video but in case somebody else is interested of viewbox-html report-pdf here is one example

[peteconway]

The reason your arguments don't get a value is the viewbox method your control uses run with data being submitted, so use the model I gave you put the callback line in the AARow of the Products VB and put in behind your button and the e.dataSubmitted.ProductID will be available for your args.