10
Customizing Reports with XML

XML customizations enable you to modify reports at runtime without changing the original report. With the addition of the CUSTOMIZE command to your runtime command line, you can call a customization file to add to or change a report's layout or data model. One XML customization file can perform all of these tasks or any combination of them. You can even use Reports XML to build a report data model for inclusion in a custom JSP-based report.

By creating and applying different XML customizations, you can alter the report output on a per user or per user group basis. You can use the same report to generate different output depending upon the audience.

When you apply an XML customization to a report, you have the option of saving the combined definition to a file. As a result, you can use XML customizations to make batch updates to existing reports. You can quickly update a large number of reports without having to open each file in the Reports Builder.

Oracle9iAS Reports Services extends the possible types of Reports XML customizations by enabling you to create an entire Reports data model in XML. This includes the creation of multiple data sources, linking between data sources, and group hierarchies within each data source. Data model support via Reports XML customization means that any data model that can be created with the Reports Builder can now be created by specifying XML. Additionally, all properties that can be set against data model objects can now be set using XML.

This chapter discusses the ways you can use XML to customize reports on the fly and to build data models. It includes the following sections:

This chapter lists and provides examples of only some of the elements available in the reports.dtd file. This is the data type definition file that lists all elements and attributes associated with Reports XML. If you want more information on elements and attributes than this chapter provides, you can look in three additional sources:

The reports.dtd file lists all possible Reports XML elements and attributes and, where present, the attributes' default values. The reports.dtd file is located in ORACLE_HOME\reports\dtd\ on both Windows and UNIX platforms. Many of the sub-elements include symbols that denote usage rules. For example:
- A plus sign (+) means you can have one or more of this type of element in your XML file.
- An asterisk (*) means you can have from zero to many of this type of element in your XML file.
- A question mark (?) means you can have either zero or one of this type of element in your XML file.
- No mark means the element is required, and you can have one and only one of this type of element in your XML file.
If multiple sub-elements are enclosed in parentheses and followed by a symbol, the symbol applies to all enclosed sub-elements.
In the Reports Builder online help, search for the related property or object. For example, for the XML attribute width, search the Reports Builder online help for the Width property. Some attributes are taken from Reports internal properties. Internal properties are read-only and cannot be changed. Internal properties are not documented in the online help.
Build a report that includes the type of customization you are trying to build, save the report as XML, and view the saved file in a text editor. This provides an excellent means of seeing Reports XML in action and provides you with examples of the more complex models you may wish to build.

10.1 Customization Overview

Anything you can create using the Reports Builder, you can also create using Reports XML tags. Consequently you have the capability of performing customization on any conceivable Reports object you may care to.

Note:

Although it is possible to create an entire report manually using the Reports XML tags, only manually created customizations and data models are documented and supported.

Creating and applying an XML customization is a three-step process:

Create a customization file using Reports XML tags.

You can create this customization by building a report using the Oracle9iAS Reports Builder then saving your report as XML. You can also build the customization manually, with any sort of text editor or a sophisticated XML editor, as long as you include the XML tags that are required for the particular Reports customization.
Store the XML customization in a location that is accessible to Oracle9iAS Reports Services.
Apply the XML customization to another report with the CUSTOMIZE command line argument or the PL/SQL built-in SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION, or run the XML customization by itself (if it contains a complete report definition) with the REPORT (or MODULE) command line argument.

Note:
For information on using these command line arguments, see Appendix A, "Command Line Arguments".

10.2 Creating XML Customizations

This section provides examples of various report customizations. It includes examples of:

10.2.1 Required XML Tags

Every XML customization must contain the following required tag pair:

<report></report>

For example, the following is the most minimal XML customization possible:

<report name="emp" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
</report>

This XML customization would have a null effect if applied to a report because it contains nothing. It can be parsed because it has the needed tags, but it is useful only as an example of the required tags.

The <report> tag indicates the beginning of the report customization, its name, and the version of the Data Type Dictionary (DTD) file that is being used with this XML customization. The </report> tag indicates the end of the report customization.

The report element's name attribute can be any name you wish, either the name of the report the XML file will customize, or any other name.

This example represents a minimal use of the <report> tag. The <report> tag also has many attributes, most of which are implied and need not be specified. The only required <report> attribute is DTDVersion.

A full report definition requires both a data model and a layout and therefore also requires the following tags and their contents:

<data></data>
<layout></layout>

The data element has no accompanying attributes. The layout element has two attributes, both of which are required: panelPrintOrder and direction. If you use the default values for these attributes (respectively acrossDown and default), you don't need to specify them. Examples of the data and layout elements are provided in the following sections.

10.2.2 Changing Styles

The example in this section demonstrates the use of XML to change the fill and line colors used for report fields F_Mincurrent_pricePersymbol and FMaxcurrent_pricePersymbol.

<report name="anyName" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <layout>
      <section name="main">
         <field name="F_Mincurrent_pricePersymbol"
                source="Mincurrent_pricePersymbol"
                lineColor="black"
                fillColor="r100g50b50"/>
                <field name="F_Maxcurrent_pricePersymbol"
                source="Maxcurrent_pricePersymbol"
                lineColor="black"
                fillColor="r100g50b50"/>
      </section>
   </layout>
</report>

We assume in this example that the section and field elements' name attributes match the names of fields in the Main section of the report this XML file will customize. In keeping with this assumption, the other attributes of the field element will be applied only to the fields of the same name in the report's Main section.

10.2.3 Changing a Format Mask

The example in this section demonstrates the use of XML to change the format mask used for a report field f_trade_date.

<report name="anyName" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <layout>
      <section name="main"
         <field name="f_trade_date"
                source="trade_date"
                formatMask="MM/DD/RR"/>
      </section>
   </layout>
</report>

Notice that the field element provides its own closure (/>). If the field element used additional sub-elements, you would close it with </field>.

10.2.4 Adding Formatting Exceptions

The example in this section demonstrates the use of XML to add a formatting exception to highlight values greater than 10 in a report's f_p_e and f_p_e1 fields.

<report name="anyName" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <layout>
      <section name="main">
         <field name="f_p_e" source="p_e">
             <exception textColor="red">
                 <condition source="p_e" operator="gt" operand1="10"/>
             </exception>
         </field>
         <field name="f_p_e1" source="p_e">
             <exception textColor="blue">
                 <condition source="p_e" operator="gt" operand1="10"/>
             </exception>
         </field>
      </section>
   </layout>
</report>

In this example, the value for operator is gt, for greater than. Operators include those listed in Table 10-1:

Table 10-1 Values for the operator attribute

*Operator*	*Usage*
eq	equal
lt	less than
lteq	less than or equal to
neq	not equal to
gt	greater than
gteq	greater than or equal to
btw	between
notBtw	not between
like	like
notLike	not like
null	null
notNull	not null

Notice also that, unlike the previous example, the field element in this example uses sub-elements, and, consequently, closes with </field>, rather than a self-contained closure (/>).

10.2.5 Adding Program Units and Hyperlinks

The example in this section demonstrates the use of XML to add a program unit to a report, which in turn adds a hyperlink from the employee social security number (:SSN) to employee details.

<report name="anyName" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <layout>
      <section name="header">
         <field name="F_ssn1"
                source="ssn1"
                formatTrigger="F_ssn1FormatTrigger"/>
      </section>
      <section name="main">
         <field name="F_ssn"
                source="ssn"
                formatTrigger="F_ssnFormatTrigger"/>
      </section>
   </layout>
   <programUnits>
      <function name="F_ssn1FormatTrigger">
      <textsource>
      <![CDATA[
         function F_ssn1FormatTrigger return boolean is
             begin
                 SRW.SET_HYPERLINK('#EMP_DETAILS_&<' || LTRIM(TO_CHAR(:SSN)) || '>');
                 return (TRUE);
             end;
      ]]>
      </function>
      <function name="F_ssnFormatTrigger">
      <![CDATA[
         function F_ssnFormatTrigger return boolean is
             begin
                 SRW.SET_LINKTAG('EMP_DETAILS_&<' || LTRIM(TO_CHAR(:SSN)) || '>');
                 return (TRUE);
             end;
      ]]>
      </textsource>
      </function>
   </programUnits>
</report>

A CDDATA tag is used around the PL/SQL to distinguish it from the XML. Use the same tag sequence when you embed HTML in your XML file. In this example, the functions are referenced by name from the formatTrigger attribute of the field element.

10.2.6 Adding a New Query and Using the Result in a New Header Section

The example in this section demonstrates the use of XML to add a new query to a report and a new header section that makes use of the query result.

<report name="ref" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_summary">
         <select>select portid ports, locname locations from portdesc
         </select>
      </dataSource>
   </data>
   <layout>
      <section name="header">
         <tabular name="M_summary" template="BLAFbeige.tdf">
             <labelAttribute font="Arial"
                 fontSize="10"
                 fontStyle="bold"
                 textColor="white"/>
             <field name="F_ports"
                 source="ports"
                 label="Port IDs"
                 font="Arial"
                 fontSize="10"/>
             <field name="F_locations"
                 source="locations"
                 label="Port Names"
                 font="Arial"
                 fontSize="10"/>
         </tabular>
      </section>
   </layout>
</report>

This example XML can be run by itself because it has both a data model and a complete layout.

Use aliases in your SELECT statements to ensure the uniqueness of your column names. If you do not use an alias, then the default name of the report column is used and could be something different from the name you expect (for example, portid1 instead of portid). This becomes important when you must specify the source attribute of the field element, which requires you to supply the correct name of the source column (the field).

The labelAttribute element defines the formatting for the field labels in the layout. Because it lies outside of the open and close field element, it applies to all the labels in the tabular layout. If you wanted it to pertain to only one of the fields, then you place it inside the <field></field> tag pair. If there is both a global and local labelAttribute element (one outside and one inside the <field></field> tag pair), the local overrides the global.

10.3 Creating XML Data Models

Oracle9iAS Reports Services introduces a greater level of sophistication in the types of data models you can create using Reports XML tags. Use Reports XML for:

This section provides examples of these uses of Reports XML.

In addition to these data model types, Oracle9iAS Reports Services provides support for using PL/SQL in your Reports XML. This includes support for local program units, report-level triggers, and attached PL/SQL libraries.

10.3.1 Creating Multiple Data Sources

The <data> tag now supports the creation of multiple data sources as well as the new pluggable data sources. Each data source is enclosed within its own <dataSource> tag. The data type definition for the dataSource element is:

<!ELEMENT dataSource

((select|plugin|plsql),
comment?,
displayInfo?,
formula*,
group*)>

<!ATTLIST dataSource

name CDATA #IMPLIED
defaultGroupName CDATA #IMPLIED
maximumRowsToFetch CDATA #IMPLIED>

The following example creates two SQL data sources and names them Q_1 and Q_2. It also creates all the necessary columns for the data sources and the default group--giving the group the specified defaultGroupName or defaulting its own name if defaultGroupName is not specified.

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1" defaultGroupName="G_DEPARTMENTS">
         <select>
             select * from departments
         </select>
      </dataSource>
      <dataSource name="Q_2" defaultGroupName="G_EMPLOYEES">
         <select>
             select * from employees
         </select>
      </dataSource>
   </data>
</report>

10.3.2 Linking Between Data Sources

In the presence of multiple data sources, it may be desirable to link the data sources together to create the appropriate data model. Reports data model link objects have also been exposed through Reports XML. They support both group- and column-level links. You can specify any number of links to create the required data model.

The data type definition for the link element is:

<!ELEMENT link EMPTY>
<!ATTLIST link
   name CDATA #IMPLIED
   parentGroup CDATA #IMPLIED
   parentColumn CDATA #IMPLIED
   childQuery CDATA #IMPLIED
   childColumn CDATA #IMPLIED
   condition (eq|lt|neq|gt|gteq|like|notLike) "eq"
   sqlClause (startWith|having|where) "where">

The link element is placed within a data element and can link any two dataSource objects defined within the data element. For example:

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1" defaultGroupName="G_DEPARTMENTS">
         <select>
            select * from departments
         </select>
      </dataSource>
      <dataSource name="Q_2" defaultGroupName="G_EMPLOYEES">
         <select>
            select * from employees
         </select>
      </dataSource>
      <link name="L_1" parentGroup="G_DEPARTMENTS"
         parentColumn="DEPARTMENT_ID" childQuery="Q_2"
         childColumn="DEPARTMENT_ID1" condition="eq" sqlClause="where"/>
   </data>
</report>

Within the link element, the Reports defaulting mechanism recognizes DEPARTMENT_ID1 as an alias to the DEPARTMENT_ID column in the EMPLOYEES table without your having to explicitly create such an alias.

10.3.3 Creating Group Hierarchies within Each Data Source

With Oracle9iAS Reports Services, the complete group hierarchy is available to you. You can specify all the columns within each group and break the order of those columns. You can use formulas, summaries, and placeholders to further customize the objects within groups.

The data type definition for the group element is:

<!ELEMENT group
   (field|exception|rowDelimiter|xmlSettings|displayInfo|dataItem|formula|
   summary|placeholder|filter|comment)*>
<!ATTLIST group
   name CDATA #IMPLIED
   fillColor CDATA #IMPLIED
   lineColor CDATA #IMPLIED
   formatTrigger CDATA #IMPLIED>

The following example demonstrates the use of a group element to create a break group under a data source.

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1">
         <select>
            select * from employees
         </select>
         <group name="G_DEPARTMENTS">
            <dataItem name="DEPARTMENT_ID"/>
         </group>
         <group name="G_EMPLOYEES">
            <dataItem="EMPLOYEE_ID"/>
            <dataItem="FIRST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem="LAST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem="JOB_ID"/>
            <dataItem="MANAGER_ID"/>
            <dataItem="HIRE_DATE"/>
            <dataItem="SALARY"/>
            <dataItem="COMMISSION_PCT"/>
         </group>
      </dataSource>
   </data>
</report>

10.3.4 Creating Cross-Product (Matrix) Groups

Cross-product groups allow you to define a matrix of any number of groups in the data model. The dimension groups in a cross product may exist in the same data source or may be combined from different data sources to create a matrix. In support of this flexibility, the <crossProduct> tag is placed within the <data> tag after all the data sources and groups have been created.

The data type definition for the crossProduct element is:

<!ELEMENT crossProduct
   (xmlSettings|displayInfo|dimension|(formula|summary|placeholder)*|comment)*>
<ATTLIST crossProduct
   name CDDATA #IMPLIED
   mailText CDDATA #IMPLIED>

The following example demonstrates the creation of a single-query matrix.

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1">
         <select>
            select * from employees
         </select>
         <group name="G_DEPARTMENTS">
            <dataItem name="DEPARTMENT_ID"/>
         </group>
         <group name="G_JOB_ID>
            <dataItem name="JOB_ID"/>
         </group>
         <group name="G_MANAGER_ID">
            <dataItem name="MANAGER_ID"
         </group>
         <group name="G_EMPLOYEE_ID">
            <dataItem name="EMPLOYEE_ID"/>
            <dataItem name="FIRST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem name="LAST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem name="HIRE_DATE"/>
            <dataItem name="SALARY"/>
            <dataItem name="COMMISSION_PCT"/>
         </group>
      </dataSource>
      <crossProduct name="G_Matrix">
         <dimension>
            <group name="G_DEPARTMENTS">
         </dimension>
         <dimension>
            <group name="G_JOB_ID">
         </dimension>
         <dimension>
            <group name="G_MANAGER_ID">
         </dimension>
      </crossProduct>
   </data>
</report>

10.3.5 Creating Formulas, Summaries, and Placeholders at any Level

You can place formulas, summaries, and placeholders at any level within the data model. Additionally, you have complete control over all the attributes for each of these objects.

The following example demonstrates the creation of a report-level summary whose source is based on a group-level formula column.

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1">
         <select>
            select * from employees
         </select>
         <group name="G_EMPLOYEES">
            <dataItem="EMPLOYEE_ID"/>
            <dataItem name="EMPLOYEE_ID"/>
            <dataItem name="FIRST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem name="LAST_NAME"/>
            <dataItem name="HIRE_DATE"/>
            <dataItem name="SALARY"/>
            <dataItem name="COMMISSION_PCT"/>
            <dataItem name="DEPARTMENT_ID"/>
            <formula name="CF_REMUNERATION" source="cf_1formula"
                datatype="number" width="20" precision="10"/>
         </group>
      </dataSource>
      <summary name="CS_REPORT_LEVEL_SUMMARY" function="sum" width="20"
         precision="10" reset="report" compute="report"/>
   </data>
   <programUnits>
      <function name="cf_1formula" returnType="number">
         <textSource>
<![CDATA[
function CF_1Formula return Number is
begin
   return (:salary + nvl(:commission_pct,0));
end;
]]>
         </textSource>
      </function>
   </programUnits>
</report>

10.3.6 Creating Parameters

In Reports XML, the parameter element is placed between open and close data elements. The data type definition for the parameter element is:

<!ELEMENT parameter (comment?|listOfValues?)>
<!ATTLIST parameter
   name CDATA #REQUIRED
   datatype (number|character|date) "number"
   width CDATA "20"
   scale CDATA "0"
   precision CDATA "0"
   initialValue CDATA #IMPLIED
   inputMask CDATA #IMPLIED
   validationTrigger CDATA #IMPLIED
   label CDATA #IMPLIED
   defaultWidth CDATA #IMPLIED
   defaultHeight CDATA #IMPLIED>

The following example demonstrates a dynamic list of values (LOV), an initial value, and a validation trigger.

<report name="anyname" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">
   <data>
      <dataSource name="Q_1" defaultGroupName="G_DEPARTMENTS">
         <select>
            select * from departments
         </select>
      </dataSource>
      <parameter name="P_LAST_NAME" datatype="character" precision="10"
         initialValue="SMITH" validationTrigger="p_last_namevalidtrigger"
         defaultWidth="0" defaultHeight="0">
         <listOfValues restrictToList="yes">
            <selectStatement hideFirstColumn="yes">
            <![CDATA[select last_name, 'last_name||'-'||employee_id'
                from employees]]>
            </selectStatement>
         </listOfValues>
      </parameter>
   </data>
   <programUnits>
      <function name="p_last_namevalidtrigger" returnType="character">
         <textSource>
   <![CDATA[function P_LAST_NAMEValidTrigger return boolean is last_name
   char(20);
   begin
      select count(*) into last_name from employees
      where upper(last_name)=upper(:p_last_name);
         exception when OTHERS then return(FALSE);
         end;
      return(TRUE);
   end;
   ]]>
         </textSource>
      </function>
   </programUnits>
</report>

10.4 Using XML Files at Runtime

Once you have created your Reports XML customization file, you can use it in the following ways:

You can apply XML report definitions to RDF or other XML files at runtime by specifying the CUSTOMIZE command line argument or the SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION built-in. Refer to "Applying an XML Report Definition at Runtime" for more information.
You can run an XML report definition by itself (without another report) by specifying the REPORT (or MODULE) command line argument. Refer to "Running an XML Report Definition by Itself" for more information.
You can use RWCONVERTER to make batch modifications using the CUSTOMIZE command line argument. Refer to "Performing Batch Modifications" for more information.

The following sections describe each of the cases in more detail and provide examples.

10.4.1 Applying an XML Report Definition at Runtime

To apply an XML report definition to an RDF or XML file at runtime, you can use the CUSTOMIZE command line argument or the SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION built-in. CUSTOMIZE can be used with RWCLIENT, RWRUN, RWBUILDER, RWCONVERTER, and URL report requests.

Note:

Refer to "Performing Batch Modifications" for more information about using CUSTOMIZE with RWCONVERTER.

10.4.1.1 Applying One XML Report Definition

The following command line sends a job request to Oracle9iAS Reports Services and applies an XML report definition, EMP.XML, to an RDF file, EMP.RDF. In this example, the CUSTOMIZE command refers to a file located in a Windows directory path. For UNIX, specify the path according to UNIX standards (i.e., myreports/emp.xml).

RWCLIENT REPORT=emp.rdf CUSTOMIZE=\myreports\emp.xml
   USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db> DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf
   DESFORMAT=PDF SERVER=<server_name>

When you use RWRUN, the Oracle9iAS Reports Services runtime command, the equivalent command line would be:

RWRUN USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db> REPORT=emp.rdf
   CUSTOMIZE=\myreports\emp.xml DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf
   DESFORMAT=PDF

When testing your XML report definition, it is sometimes useful to run your report requests with additional arguments to create a trace file. For example:

TRACEFILE=emp.log TRACEMODE=trace_replace TRACEOPT=trace_app

Note:

Unless you care to change the default, it isn't necessary to include a trace in the command line if you have specified a default trace option in the Reports Server configuration file.

The trace file provides a detailed listing of the creation and formatting of the report objects.

10.4.1.2 Applying Multiple XML Report Definitions

You can apply multiple XML report definitions to a report at runtime by providing a list with the CUSTOMIZE command line argument. The following command line sends a job request to Oracle9iAS Reports Services that applies two XML report definitions, EMP0.XML and EMP1.XML, to an RDF file, EMP.RDF:

RWCLIENT REPORT=emp.rdf
   CUSTOMIZE="(D:\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP0.XML,D:\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP1.XML)"
   USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db> DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf
   DESFORMAT=PDF SERVER=<server_name>

Note:

In this example, the CUSTOMIZE command entry demonstrates a directory path to files stored on a Windows platform. For UNIX, use that platform's standard for specifying directory paths (i.e., forward slashes instead of backward).

If you were using Oracle9iAS Reports Services Runtime, then the equivalent command line would be:

RWRUN REPORT=emp.rdf
   CUSTOMIZE="(D:\CORP\MYREPOORTS\EMP0.XML,D:\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP1.XML)"
   USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db> DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf
   DESFORMAT=PDF

10.4.1.3 Applying an XML Report Definition in PL/SQL

To apply an XML report definition to an RDF file in PL/SQL, use the SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION and SRW.ADD_DEFINITION built-ins in the BeforeForm or AfterForm trigger. The following sections provide examples of these built-ins.

10.4.1.3.1 Applying an XML Definition Stored in a File

To apply XML that is stored in the file system to a report, use the SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION built-in in the BeforeForm or AfterForm triggers of the report.

On Windows:

SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION ('\<ORACLE_HOME>\TOOLS\DOC\US\RBBR\COND.XML');

On UNIX:

SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION ('<ORACLE_HOME>/TOOLS/DOC/US/RBBR/COND.XML');

When the report is run, the trigger executes and the specified XML file is applied to the report.

10.4.1.3.2 Applying an XML Definition Stored in Memory

To create an XML report definition in memory, you must add the definition to the document buffer using SRW.ADD_DEFINITION before applying it using SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION.

The following example illustrates how to build up and apply several definitions in memory based upon parameter values entered by the user. The PL/SQL in this example is used in the AfterParameterForm trigger of a report called videosales_custom.rdf.

The videosales_custom.rdf file contains PL/SQL in its AfterParameterForm trigger that does the following:

Conditionally highlights fields based upon parameter values entered by the user at runtime.
Changes number format masks based upon parameter values entered by the user at runtime.

The following tips are useful when looking at this example:

Each time you use SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION, the document buffer is flushed and you must begin building a new XML report definition with SRW.ADD_DEFINITION.
Notice the use of the parameters hilite_profits, hilite_costs, hilite_sales, and money_format to determine what to include in the XML report definition. The hilite_profits, hilite_costs, and hilite_sales parameters are also used in the formatting exceptions to determine which values to highlight.

Because of the upper limit on the size of VARCHAR2 columns (4000 bytes), you might need to spread very large XML report definitions across several columns. If so, then you might have to create several definitions in memory and apply them separately rather than creating one large definition and applying it once.

function AfterPForm return boolean is
begin
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<report name="vidsales_masks"
author="Generated" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">');
IF :MONEY_FORMAT='$NNNN.00' THEN SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<layout>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<section name="main">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_PROFIT" source="TOTAL_PROFIT"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_SALES" source="TOTAL_SALES"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_COST" source="TOTAL_COST"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_PROFITPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   PROFITPerCITY"
      formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_SALESPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   SALESPerCITY"
      formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_COSTPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   COSTPerCITY"
      formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0D00"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</section>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</layout>');
ELSIF :MONEY_FORMAT='$NNNN' THEN SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<layout>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<section name="main">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_PROFIT" source="TOTAL_PROFIT"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_SALES" source="TOTAL_SALES"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_COST" source="TOTAL_COST"
   formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_PROFITPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   PROFITPerCITY" formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_SALESPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   SALESPerCITY" formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_SumTOTAL_COSTPerCITY" source="SumTOTAL_
   COSTPerCITY" formatMask="LNNNNNNNNNNN0"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</section>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</layout>');
END IF;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</report>');
SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<report name="vidsales_hilite_costs" author="Generated" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">');
IF :HILITE_COSTS <> 'None' THEN SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<layout>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<section name="main">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_COST" source="TOTAL_COST">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<exception textColor="red">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<condition source="TOTAL_COST" operator="gt"
   operand1=":hilite_costs"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</exception>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</field>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</section>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</layout>');
END IF;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</report>');
SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<report name="vidsales_hilite_sales" author="Generated" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">');
IF :HILITE_SALES <> 'None' THEN SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<layout>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<section name="main">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_SALES" source="TOTAL_SALES">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<exception textColor="red">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<condition source="TOTAL_SALES" operator="gt"
   operand1=":hilite_sales"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</exception>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</field>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</section>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</layout>');
END IF;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</report>');
SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<report name="vidsales_hilite_profits" author="Generated" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">');
IF :HILITE_PROFITS <> 'None' THEN SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<layout>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<section name="main">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<field name="F_TOTAL_PROFIT" source="TOTAL_PROFIT">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<exception textColor="red">');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('<condition source="TOTAL_PROFIT" operator="gt"
   operand1=":hilite_profits"/>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</exception>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</field>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</section>');
   SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</layout>');
END IF;
SRW.ADD_DEFINITION('</report>');
SRW.APPLY_DEFINITION;
return (TRUE);
end;

10.4.2 Running an XML Report Definition by Itself

To run an XML report definition by itself, you send a request with an XML file specified in the REPORT (or MODULE) argument. The following command line sends a job request to Oracle9iAS Reports Services to run a report, emp.xml, by itself:

RWCLIENT USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db>
   REPORT=C:\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP.XML
   DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf DESFORMAT=PDF
   SERVER=<server_name>

When you use RWRUN, the Oracle9iAS Reports Services runtime command, the equivalent command line would be:

RWRUN USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db>
  REPORT=C:\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP.XML
  DESTYPE=file DESNAME=emp.pdf DESFORMAT=PDF

When you run an XML report definition in this way, you must specify an XML file extension. You could also apply an XML customization file to this report using the CUSTOMIZE argument.

10.4.3 Performing Batch Modifications

If you have a large number of reports that need to be updated, then you can use the CUSTOMIZE command line argument with RWCONVERTER to perform modifications in batch. Batch modifications are particularly useful when you must make a repetitive change to a large number of reports (for example, changing a field's format mask). Rather than opening each report and manually making the change in the Reports Builder, you can run RWCONVERTER once and make the same change to a large number of reports at once.

The following example applies two XML report definitions, translate.xml and customize.xml, to three RDF files, INVEN1.RDF, INVEN2.RDF, and MANU.RDF, and saves the revised definitions to new files, INVEN1_NEW.RDF, INVEN2_NEW.RDF, and MANU_NEW.RDF.

RWCONVERTER <username>/<password>@<my_db>
   STYPE=rdffile
   SOURCE="(inven1.rdf, inven2.rdf, manu.rdf)"
   DTYPE=rdffile
   DEST="(inven1_new.rdf, inven2_new.rdf, manu_new.rdf)"
   CUSTOMIZE="(D:\APPS\TRANS\TRANSLATE.XML,D:\APPS\CUSTOM\CUSTOMIZE.XML)"
   BATCH=yes

Note:

10.5 Debugging XML Report Definitions

The following features are available to help you debug your XML Report files:

These features are discussed in the following sections.

10.5.1 XML Parser Error Messages

The XML parser is part of Oracle's XML Development Kit (XDK), which is delivered with the core Oracle Database release. The XML parser is a Java package that checks the validity of XML syntax. The JAR files that contain the XML parser are automatically set up on install and are available to Reports.

The XML parser catches most syntax errors and displays an error message. The error message contains the line number in the XML where the error occurred as well as a brief description of the problem.

For more information on the XML parser, see the Oracle Technology Network (http://otn.oracle.com). Search for XML parser or XDK. Information is also available in the documentation that came with your Oracle Database.

10.5.2 Tracing Options

When testing your XML report definition, it can be useful to run your report along with additional arguments to create a trace file. For example:

RWRUN <username>/<password>@<my_db>
   REPORT=\CORP\MYREPORTS\EMP.XML
   TRACEFILE=emp.log
   TRACEMODE=trace_replace
   TRACEOPT=trace_app

The last three arguments in this command line generate a trace file that provides a detailed listing of report processing. The default location for trace file logs is the same on Windows and UNIX platforms:

ORACLE_HOME\reports\logs\

Note:

In this example, the REPORT command entry and the path to the trace log demonstrate directory paths to files stored on a Windows platform. For UNIX, use that platform's standard for specifying directory paths (i.e., forward slashes instead of backward).

10.5.3 RWBUILDER

When designing an XML report definition, it is sometimes useful to open it in the Reports Builder. In Reports Builder, you can quickly determine if the objects are being created or modified as expected. For example, if you are creating summaries in an XML report definition, then opening the definition in the Reports Builder enables you to quickly determine if the summaries are being placed in the appropriate group in the data model.

To open a full report definition in the Reports Builder, use the REPORT (or MODULE) keyword. For example:

RWBUILDER USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db>
   REPORT=C:\CORP\MYREORTS\EMP.XML

To open a partial report definition in Oracle9iDS Reports Services Builder, use the CUSTOMIZE keyword. For example:

RWBUILDER USERID=<username>/<password>@<my_db> REPORT=EMP.RDF
   CUSTOMIZE=C:\MYREPORTS\EMP.XML

Note:

In this example, the REPORT command entry demonstrates a directory path to files stored on a Windows platform. For UNIX, use that platform's standard for specifying directory paths (i.e., forward slashes instead of backward).

In both cases, the Reports Builder is opened with the XML report definition in effect. You can then use the various views of the Oracle9iAS Reports Services Editor to determine if the report is being created or modified as you expected.

10.5.4 Writing XML to a File for Debugging

If you are using SRW.ADD_DEFINTION to build an XML report definition in memory, then it can be helpful to write the XML to a file for debugging purposes. The following example demonstrates a procedure that writes each line that you pass to it to the document buffer in memory and, optionally, to a file that you specify.

PROCEDURE addaline (newline VARCHAR, outfile Text_IO.File_Type) IS
BEGIN
  SRW.ADD_DEFINITION(newline);
  IF :WRITE_TO_FILE='Yes' THEN
    Text_IO.Put_Line(outfile, newline);
  END IF;
END;

For this example to work, the PL/SQL that calls this procedure would need to declare a variable of type TEXT_IO.File_Type. For example:

custom_summary  Text_IO.File_Type;

You would also need to open the file for writing and call the addaline procedure, passing it the string to be written and the file to which it should be written. For example:

custom_summary := Text_IO.Fopen(:file_directory || 'vid_summ_per.xml', 'w');
addaline('<report name="video_custom" author="Generated" DTDVersion="9.0.2.0.0">',
   custom_summary);

10Customizing Reports with XML

10.1 Customization Overview

10.2 Creating XML Customizations

10.2.1 Required XML Tags

10.2.2 Changing Styles

10.2.3 Changing a Format Mask

10.2.4 Adding Formatting Exceptions

Table 10-1 Values for the operator attribute

10.2.5 Adding Program Units and Hyperlinks

10.2.6 Adding a New Query and Using the Result in a New Header Section

10.3 Creating XML Data Models

10.3.1 Creating Multiple Data Sources

10.3.2 Linking Between Data Sources

10.3.3 Creating Group Hierarchies within Each Data Source

10.3.4 Creating Cross-Product (Matrix) Groups

10.3.5 Creating Formulas, Summaries, and Placeholders at any Level

10.3.6 Creating Parameters

10.4 Using XML Files at Runtime

10.4.1 Applying an XML Report Definition at Runtime

10.4.1.1 Applying One XML Report Definition

10.4.1.2 Applying Multiple XML Report Definitions

10.4.1.3 Applying an XML Report Definition in PL/SQL

10.4.1.3.1 Applying an XML Definition Stored in a File

10.4.1.3.2 Applying an XML Definition Stored in Memory

10.4.2 Running an XML Report Definition by Itself

10.4.3 Performing Batch Modifications

10.5 Debugging XML Report Definitions

10.5.1 XML Parser Error Messages

10.5.2 Tracing Options

10.5.3 RWBUILDER

10.5.4 Writing XML to a File for Debugging

10
Customizing Reports with XML