A user could always start from scratch in developing a PM for a customized report. However, in using Reporter, the bulk of the report programming can be done faster. Once Reporter has generated a Process Module to produce a report, the user can adjust the code to standardize or customize the report. This section assumes the user has enough experience with ACCENT R to make program modifications. Entering the following command will invoke the editor set in System Field @EDITOR
*MODIFY PM report_name
How changes are made to the program depends on the editor used. While Reporter can make basic changes to the report for the user, it also assures the correct syntax is used. Users must make sure of the syntax on their own when modifying a PM with the editor. Otherwise, compiler errors will occur when the PM is saved. Below are some cases where a user might choose to make modifications outside of Reporter.
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Simple Changes |
If the user is experienced enough to know what to look for and where to look, simple changes can be done quickly with the MODIFY command. The use of the editor command Find could take the user to the needed area of change faster than going through a series of menus. Example: Alter the placement of a field on the screen by column number. |
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Page Breaks |
A user may wish to set page breaks at the same time control breaks are being made for subtotaling. This will separate the key report item in detailed reports for easier referencing. Example: List a single customer per page in a detail activity report. |
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Headings |
A user may wish to insert a variable into the report heading in accordance with the page breaks mentioned above. The header on each page may reflect the change of the key report item. Example: "Activity Report For cust_name / cust_no" (heading) |
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Printing Report |
Normally, the user must first interactively specify a file name for the report itself when the PM is invoked. The PM produces the report and saves it in the specified file. The user then exits ACCENT R to the DCL level in order to issue commands for the file to be printed. A user may wish to have the report printed out when the PM is invoked in one step. The report file can be named in the PM and then printed once the report has been stored in it. The file should be deleted once the report is printed. Otherwise, an error will occur the next time the PM is invoked and tries to use a name for a report file that already exists. |
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Date Format |
Date formatting may be altered for the report heading. For example, the standard format of June 10, 1998 can be changed to 6/10/98 if needed. |