HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
GLOSSARY
access block
A unit of data access, when the report is executed. Locks on databases
or files are only held during execution of one access block.
Produces an intermediate work file, or if it is the last access block,
the final report.
The compile program BRWCOMP splits a table into several access blocks, or
combines several tables into one access block, depending on the selected
access methods.
access method
Specifies how to retrieve the data, that is, the sequence in which the
source tables are to be accessed; the method to be used for each (serial
or keyed) and if the source table is to be locked during access.
alias name
Can be given to an item when duplicate item names would otherwise appear
in the report. Use the Project Item screen to assign the alias name.
Thereafter, when you wanted to refer to that item, you would use the
alias name instead of the actual name from the data source.
argument
Provides a value, when an expression is calculated; can be an item,
function, parameter, constant, or another expression.
array
Combination of several similar items (called array items or array
components) under one name.
break
Occurs when the value of a sort item (or part of it) changes. For each
sort level a break heading and break footing lineset can be specified.
break level
The sort level number for the break. For instance, if a break occurs on
sort level 1, it is called break level 1.
BRWACCSD
The program used to create a BRWDIC dictionary file from HP Access
Central Dictionary.
BRWAPPD
The program used to create an BRWDIC dictionary file from HP Application
Dictionary.
BRWCOMP
See report compile program.
BRWCONV
See report conversion program.
BRWDIC
See dictionary file.
BRWD3000
The program used to create a BRWDIC dictionary file from HP Dictionary/V.
BRWEMPTY
Program used to clear intermediate report files. Filename
BRWMPTY.PUB.SYS
BRWEXEC
See report execution program.
BRWGEND
The program used to create a BRWDIC dictionary file from a user-generated
file containing dictionary statements.
BRWLIST
See report list program.
BRWSD
The program used to create a BRWDIC dictionary file from HP System
Dictionary.
BRWSETUP
See configuration program.
BRWSTART
See report request program.
calculated item
Is calculated from other items, parameters or constant values. Provides
a single value each time a calculation is performed.
Also called calc item.
calculation formula
An expression which results in a numeric, string, date or time value.
The formula of a calculated item or a function.
calculation language
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.
column calculations
Vertical calculations, which summarize data for a break, page or report.
Can total, average, find a minimum, find a maximum, count or calculate.
You can set the source and the reset level for column calculations.
Results of column calculations can be used as arguments within layout
calculations or layout functions.
common item
Same item occurs in several source tables. Are used to define relations.
Only records in which each common item has identical values in the source
tables will be joined together. Can have different names in the source
tables.
Need not be key items, that is, do not have to be HP TurboIMAGE/iX search
items or KSAM keys.
compile
The BRW
condition
A formula, which is either true or false, depending on given values.
Usually comparisons combined with boolean operators. The formula of a
selection condition, relation condition, line or lineset suppress
condition.
configuration file
The file name is BRWC000. Contains defaults to be used in RSPEC,
configuration for BRWEXEC, and global functions.
BRW looks for the file in the following order:
1. BRWCONF
2. BRWCONF.PUB
3. BRWCONF.PUB.SYS
4. BRWCnnn.PUB.SYS, where nnn is the number returned by the Native
Language Support intrinsics.
5. BRWC000.PUB.SYS
configuration program
Used to configure BRW. The file name is BRWSETUP.PUB.SYS.
DBA
Database Administrator. The individual responsible for the creation and
maintenance of HP TurboIMAGE/iX or HP ALLBASE/SQL databases, including
granting and revoking access authority.
database
Physical storage of application data. Consists of one or more datasets
for an HP TurboIMAGE/iX database, or tables and views for an HP
ALLBASE/SQL database. Provides various access methods for use to
retrieve data.
database administrator
See DBA.
database environment
(DBEnvironment) A collection of files for one or more logical HP
ALLBASE/SQL databases.
data dictionary
Central data storage for data definitions. Contains definitions of
items, datasets, databases, files, keys, passwords, and so on.
data set
Physical storage of source data in an HP TurboIMAGE/iX database; the two
types of data sets are master and detail.
detail
The lineset printed for each record in the final access table.
HP Dictionary/V, HP System Dictionary, HP Application Dictionary, HP
Access Central Dictionary, and user-generated dictionaries can be used
with BRW. For each account in which BRW is to be used, a dictionary file
must be created first by using the programs BRWD3000, BRWSD, BRWAPPD,
BRWACCSD, or BRWGEND.
dictionary file
Contains definitions of items, databases, data sets, files of one
account. The file name is BRWDIC. BRW can access multiple dictionary
files in one report.
dictionary output file
Saves data for later processing. The file code is ROUTD. Data is stored
in external form as defined in the data dictionary.
edit mask
An edit mask is a code that describes how an item will print. Each item
has a separate edit mask for each time it is defined in a line. That is,
if you used DATE five times on the same report or lineset, each
occurrence has a separate edit mask and you could have each of the five
dates print in a different form.
exception condition
An exception condition occurs when the value of an item ,function,
parameter, or expression is invalid. When an exception condition occurs,
BRW issues an execution warning message, which is printed at the end of
the report.
execution file
Used to produce the report. The file code is REXNM. Cannot be modified.
Contains the report specifications in compiled form, similar to a program
file.
expression
A nested formula in parentheses.
file
Physical storage of a source table that is not in a database.
final access table
All the data that BRW needs is copied from the files or databases where
it is stored and is built into a table, called the final access table.
The final access table contains the data that BRW uses when you run the
report.
You cannot define the report layout until you supply a final access
table. All data items that you want to use in a report must be present
in the final access table.
If several tables are nested, the final access table is the table on top
of table hierarchy.
footing
Data printed at the bottom of a page, report or after a detail. Lineset
for a break, page or report.
Can be used to print column calculations for that break, page or report.
Can be used to print data from the previous detail, or previous lineset
if it is a page footing.
format
Description of the items of a table (name, type, length, position in
record, number of array components). The format of each dataset or file
used in a report must have been specified in the dictionary.
The format of intermediate report files is included in these files
(self-describing files). They cannot be specified in the dictionary.
formula
Calculated items, functions and conditions are expressed in a formula.
The calculation language is used to express formulas.
frozen specification file
Same as specification file, but allows only to be copied, listed or
compiled. The file code is RSPCF.
function
An expression frequently used in other formulas. Can have up to nine
function arguments.
function argument
A placeholder for an actual expression supplied when the function is used
in another formula.
heading
Data printed at the top of a page, report or before a detail. Lineset
for a break, page or report. Can be used to print data for the next
detail, or the next lineset if it is a page heading. Can print carry
forward column calculations from the previous footing of same type.
HP ALLBASE/SQL
Database management system used on the HP3000 that supports the
relational data model. SQL = Structured Query Language.
HP ALLBASE/SQL authority
A privilege given to a user to perform specific database operations such
as connecting to a DBEnvironment or accessing tables or views. The DBA
is responsible for granting and revoking authority.
HP ALLBASE/SQL CONNECT
A command used to access a DBEnvironment. The user must have a CONNECT
or DBA authority to the specified DBEnvironment.
HP ALLBASE/SQL query
BRW builds a SELECT command to retrieve data from one or more tables or
views. This process of retrieving the data and the command are referred
to as an HP ALLBASE/SQL Query.
HP ALLBASE/SQL SELECT
A command that retrieves data from one or more tables or views. The
retrieved data is in the form of a table, called the result table or
query result.
HP ALLBASE/SQL table
Data in the relational database is organized into a table consisting of
rows and columns. A row is a record and a column is an item.
HP ALLBASE/SQL table owner
Within HP ALLBASE/SQL a table or view is accessed by specifying both the
owner and table name.
HP ALLBASE/SQL view
A table derived by placing a "window" over one or more tables to let
users access only certain data.
HP ALLBASE/SQL system catalog
Contains information on data structures of HP ALLBASE/SQL databases.
HP ALLBASE/SQL autostart mode
An autostart flag is set to determine how the DBEnvironment is opened.
It must be set to "on" to allow the CONNECT command that is always used
by BRW.
HP ALLBASE/SQL user mode
When set to "multi", more than one user and program can use the
DBEnvironment.
HP Application Dictionary
Data dictionary used with HP applications.
HP System Dictionary
Data dictionary used with IMAGE data.
HP TurboIMAGE/iX
Database management system used on the HP3000 that supports the network
data model.
intermediate report file
(IRF) Saves data for later reporting. The file code is ROUTI.
Used for reporting on results (exception reporting). Used to optimize
production reporting cycles (reduces redundant database access).
Data is stored in BRW internal format.
IMAGE
The term IMAGE is sometimes used to represent both HP IMAGE/3000 and HP
TurboIMAGE/iX databases.
item
A column in a table. Can get its values from database, file or from
calculations. Can be printed, used for sort or selection, written to an
output file, used in calculation formulas. If a calculated item,
provides a single value each time the calculation is performed.
item edit
Rule for how an item value is to be formatted for printing.
item types
Are:
S = string
N = fixed point numeric
I = Integer
R = floating point real
D = date
T = time
join
Method of combining source tables in which the columns of two or more
tables are joined side-by-side.
KSAM
Keyed sequential access method on the HP3000 system.
KSAM file
Allows sequential and keyed access to the data in the KSAM file. Usually
consists of two MPE files: a data file and a key file. However, with
MPE/iX Native Mode, KSAM consists of only one MPE file.
BRW supports KSAM files with fixed length records.
layout
The arrangement of the report as it is to be printed.
layout calculated item
A calculated item defined within the report layout. Is calculated when
the report is formatted; can be calculated from column calculations; can
be printed, written to an output file, or used to calculate other layout
calc items. Cannot be used for sort or selection.
Also called layout calc item.
layout functions
Are defined within the report layout; can be used in other formulas
defined in the report layout.
Are similar to program subroutines.
line
A printed line on a page; can consist of item values and fixed text.
lineset
A lineset is a group of lines (minimum 1 line, maximum 999 lines) that
are treated as a whole and can be printed together. For example: a
detail, break, new page, or the beginning or ending of the report. Can
consist of a single line of text or items, multiple lines or no lines.
Pagination and output file records also relate to a lineset.
You can have a maximum of 9 sort items in a report and up to 23 linesets.
link
See join.
lock mode
Used to secure a lock on an IMAGE dataset, HP ALLBASE/SQL, table, KSAM or
MPE file. You can specify a lock mode on the BRW Tune Access screen.
merge
Method of combining two similar tables by stacking (appending) one on the
other.
MPE XL
Operating system on the HP3000 computer.
MPE file
Sequential file supported by MPE. BRW supports standard MPE files with
fixed length records. Special MPE files (RIO, MSG, CIR, and so on) are
not supported by BRW.
multi-pass reporting
Execution of a sequence of reports and optional application programs.
numeric precision
Determines the precision of an item's value when it is used in further
processing.
Consists of a number and method code. The number indicates the least
significant digit of the precision as the 10th exponent of this digit.
The method code indicates how superfluous digits are to be treated:
rounded (R), truncated (T) or ceiled (C).
open join
Method of combining source tables in which source tables are joined and
all records from one source table are reported, even if these have no
corresponding records in the other source tables. See also join
outer join
See open join.
output file
Saves data for later reporting or processing. Can be specified for each
lineset; can be an intermediate report file or a dictionary output file.
page
A page of the printed report. Page heading and footing linesets can be
defined to be printed on each page.
Other linesets can be printed as they are, or they can be positioned at
an absolute position of the page.
page heading
The lines that are printed at the top of a new page, normally the page
number, date, report title, and so on, are called the page heading
lineset. BRW prints the page heading lineset (unless you use a suppress
condition) at the top of each page of the report.
pagination
The control of the page layout. A new page can be specified before or
after a lineset; or, a lineset can be split if it does not fit completely
on rest of page. A lineset can be positioned absolute on a page.
parameter
A constant which gets its value at report execution time and which makes
data selection for a report more flexible.
parameter types
Are:
P = comparison predicate
S = single value
L = list of values
positioned item
Positioned by line number within lineset, position within line, and
length. Not all items in the report layout need to be positioned
(printed), for example, sorts or column calculations do not require
printing.
print field
The space in a lineset in which the value of an item is printed.
Specified by line number within lineset, position within line, and
length. The item values can be formatted using item edits before they
are printed in the print field.
print file
Contains the printed report; can be a spool file, a device file or a
permanent file on disk. The file code is PRINT. Has fixed length records
and can be either CCTL or NOCCTL.
report footing
The total turnover for all the customers in all sales areas. This is
printed at the end of the report.
projected items
When source tables are combined, their items are projected to the newly
formed table. A projected item can be given an alias name, excluded from
projection, and given numeric precision; these attributes are only in
effect outside the item's source table.
record
A row in a table. Each record in the final access table will be printed
as one detail lineset.
record number
See TABLE-REC-NUMBER.
referenced access file
A report specification file that contains access definitions used by
another report.
relation
Defines the rules for joining source tables; does not specify the access
method to be used to retrieve the data.
relation condition
Selects a subset of records from joined source tables; is defined within
a table.
Uses the calculation language.
report
Data printed on paper or to disk. Can also mean the definition of the
report (report layout, data access, calculations to be used to create the
report, and so on).
report compile program
Used to compile a report. The file name is BRWCOMP.PUB.SYS. Can be used
stand-alone or within the report specification program.
report conversion program
Used to convert Report/V and Inform/V reports to BRW specification files.
The filename is BRWCONV.PUB.SYS.
report execution program
Used to produce a report. The file name is BRWEXEC.PUB.SYS. Can be used
stand-alone or within the report specification program.
report job file
For producing multi-pass reports; used for bundling the production of
multiple reports. Is created using HP EDITOR/3000 or any compatible
editor; the optional file code is RJOB.
report layout
The way the report looks in its final form, after all calculations have
been performed, rows and columns have been placed on the page, and so on.
report list program
Used to list the specifications of a report. The file name is
BRWLIST.PUB.SYS. Can be used stand-alone or within the report
specification program.
report request program
A program used to request BRW reports. The filename is BRWSTART.PUB.SYS.
Can be used stand-alone.
report specification program
To specify, list, compile, and execute a report. The filename is
BRWXL.PUB.SYS. Invokes the report compile, execution, and list programs.
result table
A table that is formed by BRW by accessing one or more datasets, tables,
or files. The result table used for the report layout is called the
final access table.
root source table
First source table in a sequence of joins with keyed access.
row calculation
Calculations using layout calculated items; specified by adding a
calculated item to a report and then defining a formula for that item.
sample layout
A picture of the report layout, in which the print fields are shown as
X's or 9's for numeric fields. X's and 9's can be changed with the
program BRWSETUP.PUB.SYS.
selection
Selects a subset of the data in the final access table.
selection condition
Criteria to select a subset of data from the final access table. Is
expressed as a condition formula and uses the calculation language. Can
be flexible by using parameters.
selection criteria
Control the amount of data which goes into a report, as well as when and
how the report is printed.
selection set
One group of data selection criteria used for a report. Multiple
selection sets can be defined in a specification file, but the report
must be compiled once for each selection set. Allows data-dependent
security. Can contain default values for parameters, print file and
report schedule.
serial file
MPE file format.
sort
Arranging items on the report by ascending or descending order,
alphabetically or numerically.
sort item
An item that is used as the basis for a sort. For example, if the report
is sorted by the customer name, then the CUSTOMER-NAME item is a sort
item. A report can be sorted by up to nine items; each item in ascending
or descending order.
source table
Can be an IMAGE dataset, an HP ALLBASE/SQL table, a MPE, KSAM or IRF file
or an BRW table defined in the report.
specification file
Used for creation and modification of a report. The file code is RSPEC.
Must be compiled into an execution file to produce the report. Contains
the report specifications.
standard functions
Predefined functions supplied by BRW.
standard items
Predefined items supplied by BRW. A list of standard items is supplied in
Chapter 15 of the HP ALLBASE/BRW Reference Manual.
standard job file
Used as report job file, when a single report is started in batch. The
file name is BRWJ000.
BRW looks for the file in the order below:
1. BRWJOB
2. BRWJOB.PUB
3. BRWJOB.PUB.SYS
4. BRWJnnn.PUB.SYS, where nnn is the number returned by the Native
Language Support intrinsics.
5. BRWJ000.PUB.SYS
The standard job file can be modified using HP EDITOR/3000 or any
compatible editor.
suppress condition
Criteria to suppress printing of a line or lineset; can be specified for
each line or lineset. Is expressed as a condition formula and uses the
calculation language.
syntax diagram
Describes the syntax of the BRW calculation language in a graphic form.
table
A collection of data in which the rows are records and the columns are
items. Basis for the report layout or other tables; joins or merges the
source tables. Tables can be nested, thus can consist of other tables as
source tables.
table calculated item
Is a calculated item defined within a table. After it is projected from
that table, it becomes a normal item. Is calculated when the data is
retrieved. Can be printed, used for sort and projection, written to an
output file, used to calculate other items.
Also called table calc item.
table function
Defined for a table. Can be used in other formulas defined in the same
table. Similar to a program subroutine.
TABLE-REC-NUMBER
The logical record number defined by BRW. Source tables that are IMAGE
data sets, KSAM files, or MPE files always have the item TABLE-REC-NUMBER
included in the result table, HP ALLBASE/SQL tables do not.
text
Fixed text printed on a line.
transaction isolation level
Applies to HP ALLBASE/SQL databases. Is the level of concurrent access
that is allowed during a transaction.
transaction priority
Applies to HP ALLBASE/SQL databases. Is an integer from 0 to 255
specifying the priority of a transaction. The transaction with the
largest priority number is aborted to remove a deadlock.
value
A value in the mathematical sense. Each record contains one value per
item.
VPLUS
User interface system on the HP3000 system. Used in the report
specification program.