HP 3000 Manuals

HP ALLBASE/BRW Reference Manual

Dictionary OutputFiles 

Dictionary output files can be defined if you want to use the data from a
report with other programs.  Data in a dictionary output file can be used
from either HP ALLBASE/BRW reports or other application programs.  The
format of the file must be defined in the data dictionary before it is
specified in the report.  See the following diagram:


            

The items written to the dictionary output file must match the items
defined in the format of that file:

   *   An item of any type must match an item in the file of the same
       type.  That is, a string in your report can only be written to a
       string item in the file.  However, number types can match another
       item of any number type.  If you assign an item of one number type
       (for example, Real) to an item in a dictionary output file of a
       different number type (for example, Numeric), the item will be
       automatically converted to the type specified in the dictionary
       output file (in this example, Numeric).

   *   Arrays must have the same number of components.

   *   Single array components match single items.

   *   The entry in the Name in File field must be the same as the
       element name in the data dictionary file description.


NOTE  HP ALLBASE/BRW will convert a Real number written to a dictionary
      output file to either HP Real or IEEE Real format depending on the
      item's description in the data dictionary.  The default is IEEE
      Real.  See Chapter 18  for more information.


String items can have different lengths, in which case values are
truncated on the right or padded with blanks.  For example, these items
are specified on the Output File screen below.

As with intermediate report files, you use the Output File screen to
define a dictionary output file and to specify which items are to be
written to it.


            

Items are only written to the dictionary output file if you enter their
names in the Name in File field, or put an X in the Select Sequence
field.  The name in the Name in File field must be a name of an element
of the file as specified in the file description in the data dictionary.
Any item in a dictionary output file that is specified in the dictionary
but not in the Name in File field will be set to the appropriate
Exception Value.  See Chapter 17 , "Defining Configuration."

You can, optionally, specify whether the item is to be subject to a
column calculation, and the numeric precision of an item in the output
file.

See Chapter 16 , for details about the fields on the Output File
screen.

Creation of DictionaryOutput Files 

Dictionary output files are created when the report is executed, not when
it is compiled.  You can free the disk space by deleting the file with
the MPE command PURGE when data in a dictionary output file is no longer
needed.

MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation