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View Full Version : Visual Report Writer Alpha III available for download



Vincent Oorsprong
28-Jul-2009, 10:33 AM
First shown at Synergy 2009 in New Orleans, the new Visual Report Writer Alpha III is now available for public download!

Developers are encouraged to preview this latest software from Data Access - developed in Visual DataFlex - and to getting acquainted with it, test it, and help us to release the best software possible.

Please register (http://www.dataaccess.nl/IframeText.asp?pageid=1762) for the program and download the installation files, and read the documentation carefully. We look forward to your input to help us make this a great product!

This version of Visual Report Writer expires September 1st 2009.

Supported platforms
- Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (32 bit)
- Microsoft Windows XP SP Professional 2 (32 bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (32 bit)
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or higher (32 bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (32 bit)
Note: Microsoft Windows 2000 SP 4 is not supported.

Using existing reports
The internal report structure (the format of the .vrw file) has changed. This means that once you’ve saved an existing report or created a new report in this Alpha you can no longer open the report in older versions of Visual Report Writer.

Documentation
This Alpha version includes preliminary documentation on API programming to integrate reports in VDF-apps and documentation on the new VB-like formula syntax.

Changes from Alpha II

Visual Report Writer now works with VDF 15. You will need a VDF 15 Studio or VDF 15 Client to run the designer
Collate support. Visual Report Writer can now use a df_collate.cfg file. If a df_collate file is found it is always used to sort embedded tables. The collate file is used for ODBC tables only if the ‘Always Sort Locally’ option is set.
Localization support. Visual Report Writer now supports localized versions – however – none will be made available in this Alpha. Localized versions will become available as soon as we’ve finished the translation process.
PDF export. A new option – ‘Export Report’ is now available from the ‘File’ menu. This option allows you to export a report. Currently only the PDF format is supported.
Formulas are now available for all relevant format options. See ‘Format Field’ dialog for all available options. Please note the formula to set the ‘Number Mask’ for numeric fields is currently not supported.
New functionality added to formulas include:

Global variable support. This allows you – for example - to create running totals. Two new commands are added to formulas to support declaring variables; ‘Dim [x]’ and ‘Dim [x] as Global’.
Additional functions. See the formula editor for a complete list of currently available functions.
Constants added. Formulas now support constants like vrwRed. See the formula editor for a list of currently supported constants.
Ability to reference special fields from formulas.
Ability to reference other formulas from formulas. Please note that currently no checks are performed to avoid recursive formulas (meaning a formula which references itself). Please do not attempt to create recursive formulas.

Improved formula editor. The editor now supports – for example – syntax error highlighting and improved syntax checking.
Added special fields. For a complete list of special fields, refer to the ‘Field Explorer’
System table support. Basic system table support has been added. Please note this will only work with newly created reports. Existing reports using system tables may or may not work properly.
Auto link for ODBC tables. Auto linking is available for ODBC tables which have foreign keys defined. Please note that converting embedded tables will not create foreign keys when using the Data Access Connectivity Kits.
Bugfixes (> 30), Please read the ‘Alpha III readme.doc’ file for the complete list


Reporting bugs, comments and suggestions
Please report bugs to support@dataaccess.eu. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible to define and reproduce the problem that you are reporting.

For further communications and information, use this forum

A special note about “suggestions”...
Visual Report Writer is a new product and in its first version intended to be only a basic report writer. Please focus any suggestions on how the current capabilities of the product could be enhanced or on any missing features you feel are essential to fulfilling “basic” reporting requirements. Suggestions for more advanced functionality will be kept in a “wish-list” for future releases.

Best regards,

Data Access Worldwide