End user report writer?

[bigicebear]

This will sound strange, but I am looking for a dev platform that I can allow the end user (of a runtime solution) to move or resize fields on the layout.

This would be kind of like a simplified report writer. I have written a DB project in FMPro 8 before and am familiar with that (there appears to be no such animal there), but wonder if there has ever been anything in Alpha 5 that can create an on-the-fly customization tool. (am willing to "upgrade")

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

[martinwcole]

Re: End user report writer?

I have not done it, personally, but with Runtime Plus, you can set reports to be modifiable by the user - you will need to find documentation for how to accomplish - someone may know where to look and post the location.

[rmcgaffic]

Re: End user report writer?

Richard,

One of the challenges in developing any application is allowing the user to add tables, define relationships, create forms, and create reports on his own.

High end commercial software typically provides this functionality, but it is rare to see at the level of most Alpha Five applications.

Here's a link you may find useful:

http://www.aislebyaisle.com/cb/access/cbtools.htm

Although somewhat dated, it shows you how to use Microsoft Access to create Access tables, forms, and reports without allowing the user access to your code or tables directly. It might give you an easily adaptable blueprint for A5.

It would be an interesting project to translate this all into A5 forms and XBasic. Sure would be a great addition to the code library.

Have you noticed that Alpha offers QReportBuilder which does much the same thing for Quickbook users.

Bob McGaffic
Pittsburgh, PA

[MikeC]

Re: End user report writer?

Most of the objects properties can be changed via xbasic (probably via Action Script as well)....given that, an end user could be given these values in a changeable field--the coding would just have to be placed on appropriate events or even a button.

Creating tables and sets and set relationships are also doable with xbasic.

Creating forms I do not believe can be done--could have a template created perhaps that could be copied and then changed??? Just do not know how to create via xbasic from scratch is all. Reports (which are also just another type of layout like a form) would have to be created the same way am thinking.....I have not checked into all the methods yet regarding this however.

QReportBuilder is used as the front end to the report writer of Alpha and gives easy connectivity to Quickbooks (read only). The full develpment version allows everything to be changed (could create AEX for scripts and password protect other)....the QRB runtime is NOT a plus version I believe.

[bigicebear]

Re: End user report writer?

Thanks for your replies; I will investigate these suggestions.

What I will be focusing on is user-modifiable forms:

Allowing the end user to:
Move and adjust fields (fields predefined)stretching, etc.
Resize text in each field
Change font in each field

and possibly:
resize and move a background graphic on each form

More ideas welcome. Will log my progress here.

[MikeC]

Re: End user report writer?

Richard,
Here is a small sample done with Action Script that shows you the basics really. Moving the fields around can be done in much the same way (but there is an "initial" value that would have to be changed as well as the current x and y to to that). You can use the Object Explorer to see generally what can be changed (most, not all)--main menu-->View-->Object Explorer.

I created form variables to hold the values--you could have table fields to do the same. The combo box has user defined choices---could be made to come from a list or a table....