HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
The BRW System
BRW is available in two versions: the full developer system, and the
run-time version. The developer system contains all the facilities
necessary to develop reports, and to run them. The run-time version
provides the necessary facilities for application end users to run
developed reports.
BRW has a comprehensive range of features. This tutorial does not cover
all these features. The following paragraphs provide an outline
description of the features of BRW.
Flexible Data Access
BRW supports multiple data managers. You can access data in HP
ALLBASE/SQL tables, HP TurboIMAGE/iX data sets, files, or, using the
iterative reporting feature, from other reports.
The iterative reporting feature allows you to output data from a specific
report to a file. You can then use that output file to generate further
reports.
Advanced Calculations and Functions
BRW has a powerful calculation language that allows you to perform simple
and complex arithmetic operations. Operations can be performed on
numeric data, string values, and date and time figures. The calculation
language allows nested operations, conditional execution, array
calculations, and string manipulation. You can also define your own
functions or use the predefined functions supplied with BRW.
The Report Writer
The report writer is the main part of the BRW developer system. You use
the report writer to specify, compile, and execute reports. To create a
report with BRW, you must perform the following steps:
1. Plan how you want the data to appear on the printed page: Do you
want headings or footings? How many lines of data do you want?
Do you want to perform calculations on the data? Do you want
running totals?
2. Run BRW and specify the report. (When you specify a report, BRW
accesses a dictionary file that describes the data and any
intermediate report files.) BRW writes your report specifications
to a specification file.
3. Review the report layout, and modify if necessary
4. Compile the specification file. BRW creates an execution file.
5. Execute the report. You can print the report directly on the
system printer, or write the report to an MPE file for later
printing. You can use such a file to view the report on the
terminal screen with BRW.
Run-Time Report Execution
The BRW run-time programs are supplied as part of the MPE Fundamental
Operating System. These programs allow end users to run compiled reports
on production systems without having to purchase BRW separately.
HP BRW-Desk
HP BRW-Desk is an add-on product to BRW that delivers reports
electronically to one or more people using HP DeskManager. A single
report can be split electronically, at specified levels, and each part
distributed to a list of HP DeskManager users.