The starting point for any Report is the database connection. In order to start developing reports, listings and data-bound forms in Dynamic AI a database connection is necessary.
Being part of the user group that has been assigned as the user group for a database Connection ID, combined with the user right “Explore databases” will allow the creation of Reports based on:
· Tables
· Views
· Synonyms
· Dynamic SQL Views
directly from the Explore Databases functionality in Dynamic AI.
Data-bound Reports in Dynamic AI are truly data-driven, which is why Reports are created initially from the exploration of database connections.
From an administrative point of view it’s important to understand that:
·
The Explore Databases function is very powerful
and allows the user having that functionality to see all underlying tables,
views and synonyms only restricted by the attributes associated with the
connection definition (database username restrictions, preview restrictions,
alias redirections and read-only state).
· The Explore Databases feature is necessary to start the creation of data-bound Reports.
The individual organization must determine how the explore Databases functionality should be used. Several possibilities exist:
·
The administrator or a group of administrators
are the only users having access to Explore Databases. The administrators must
create “master” Reports and share these to groups of developers or end users.
Developers or end users can use the master Reports to browse information,
customize new Reports that become reports, listings and forms.
·
The connections are set with dedicated database
user id’s and possibly read-only restrictions, restricting which tables, views
and synonyms the developers and end-users having “explore connection” rights
can get access to.
· Developers are part of the “trusted” group of users and therefore have access to explore and use the full-features of the connection.
Usually administrators and developers do have access to full-featured “Explore databases” and end-users don’t have access to “Explore databases”.
A data bound Report can be established based on a table or view in a connected database.
In the databases menu under “Explore Databases” you will to find the database connections that you have established or the database connections that others have given you access to see.
By selecting the database you want to explore you will see:
· Database name
· Search field
· Tables
· Views
· Synonyms
· Dynamic Views
When clicking on the database name you will be allowed to maintain the connection. Read more about this under “Modifying a connection definition”.
In the search box it is possible to write the name on the wanted data source. Dynamic AI will after pressing [Enter] return the selected data sources with names alike to the one written in the search box.
When clicking on either Tables, Views, Synonyms or Dynamic Views a list of existing tables/Views/Synonyms or Dynamic Views in the database will be shown.
Next to each element a drop down menu can be opened.
Here it is possible to choose between:
· Edit View
· Columns
· Browse
· Form
· Edit Table
· New Design
· Build SQL View
· Create/Update Dictionary
· Maintain Dictionary
· Cancel
When working on Dynamic Join Builds or Dynamic SQL Views its possible to modify the underlying view, by clicking “Edit View”. Depending on the type of view the relevant maintenance form will be shown. Reed more about this in “New Dynamic SQL Views” or “New Dynamic JOIN Build”.
When selecting Columns the data source name will be expanded showing the fieldnames in the table/View. The individual fields will be color coded to indicate the field type where:
Blue = Integer
Green = Number
Gray = Date
Black = Text
Click Browse to get a default scrollable list based on the data source. The same result as if you just clicked on the data source name.
The first 20 records and columns are shown. It’s possible to navigate trough all the records with the buttons/settings in the top of the Report.
By selecting Form the first record in the data source is presented as a standard form. It’s possible to navigate trough all the records with the buttons/settings in the top of the Report.
If the data source is updateable it’s possible to change, insert and delete records.
By clicking Edit Table the first 20 records and columns are shown. It’s possible to navigate trough all the records with the buttons/settings in the top of the Report.
If the data source is updateable a cursor is shown in the first updateable field and it’s possible to change, insert and delete records.
By selecting New Design you can save or design the Report as described in details under “Creating data bound Reports”. The design module resembles the development tools for application development, but reaches far beyond these because of its dynamic and data driven nature.
If you want to build a Dynamic SQL View based on a specific table/View a “select [field names] from [Table/View Name] can be modified in the Dynamic SQL View form. Read more about this in “New Dynamic SQL Views”.
If there has not been created a Dictionary on the specific table you can do this by clicking “Create Dictionary”. Read more about the dictionary under “Dictionary maintenance”.
When you select to update the Dictionary new columns found will be added to the Dictionary – the columns ADDEDDAT and ADDEDBY are filled in order to allow for change tracking as well as follow up caption, help text, roles / alias maintenance etc.
Read more about the dictionary under “Dictionary maintenance”.
Dictionary setting for a specific table can be maintained by clicking “Maintain Dictionary”.
Read more about the dictionary under “Dictionary maintenance”.
Clicking “Cancel” will hide the drop down menu.