Report Writer can be used to create a range of business reports: simple field listings, address labels, summary reports showing sub-totals or complex invoices using pre-printed stationery. However, Report Writer does not allow you to specify font or colour information, or create graphical output. If you need such facilities you will need to use QA Build, or develop a program using C/C++, or use a third party Report Program such as Crystal Reports.
Report Writer also allows you to create files for export to other systems, such as spreadsheets, and delete records that satisfy specified conditions.
Report Writer creates the report program you want, depending on your responses to a series of questions, in most cases requiring Yes or No answers or option selection from menus. Default responses are suggested where appropriate and context-sensitive help is always at hand.
Report Writer programs are created, compiled and saved with their DP4 application database. Report Writer makes extensive use of the DP4 Data Dictionary and does, therefore, have access to information about your application database. In this way, Report Writer can ensure that only relevant options are offered throughout the creation of the report.
Report Writer programs can be created automatically for particular tables. This is useful when you need to list or export all the fields from one or more tables.