Oracle9i Reports Statement of Direction...For customers using Oracle Forms 6i, to call Oracle9i...
Transcript of Oracle9i Reports Statement of Direction...For customers using Oracle Forms 6i, to call Oracle9i...
Oracle9i Reports Obsolescence Plan Oracle9i Reports
Statement of Direction
June 17, 2002
INTRODUCTION
Successful businesses know that
presenting their data in a timely and
meaningful way provides a powerful
advantage over the competition. To
that end, businesses continue to
need ever-more-powerful tools for
producing high-quality reports from
the masses of disparate data
sources kept in every major
corporation today.
For many years, Oracle Reports has
maintained its position as the premier reporting tool for Oracle databases by keeping pace with
rapid shifts in technology. As rapidly as technology has shifted, Oracle Reports has moved from
character-based, to graphical-based, to client/server, and now to multi-tier Web-based
development and deployment.
Oracle Reports has always been the reporting tool for use in conjunction with an Oracle
database. But, until now, companies found it difficult to retrieve data outside a relational
database.
Now Oracle9i Reports fills this gap and enables you to combine multiple sources of data into a
single published source—a truly universal publishing solution. Oracle9i Reports makes publishing
information easy by allowing you to access any data, and publish it in any format, anywhere!
This is a list of the new features in Oracle9i Reports:
• JSP and XML-based Report Definition
• New Data Sources: XML, JDBC, Text Files
• Pluggable Data Sources
• Java Importer
• Integration with Oracle9i JDeveloper
• Integration with Oracle9i SCM
• Servlet and JSP Runtime Architecture
• Open API’s – Pluggable Facilities
• Oracle9iAS Reports Services Clustering
• Reports as Oracle9iAS Portal Portlets
• PDF 1.4
• Enhanced Email support
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 2 6/17/2002
• Enhanced Graphing
• Oracle9iAS Portal Report Import
• Edit Oracle9iAS Discoverer Worksheet Export
• Event-driven publishing
• Enhanced Report Bursting / Distribution
• OEM Integration
• SSO Integration
You can find more information about these exciting new features in Oracle9i Reports in the
“Oracle9i Reports New Features” whitepaper available on OTN
(http://otn.oracle.com/products/reports).
PACKAGING
Development of Oracle9i Reports requires the licensing of Oracle9i Developer Suite
which includes the Oracle9i Reports Developer.
Deployment of Oracle9i Reports requires the licensing of Oracle9i Application
Server. You must have a licensed version of Oracle9i Application Server to deploy
Oracle9i Reports even if you plan on using a third party Application Server.
This paper covers our direction with Oracle9i Reports and is divided into two sections:
• Section 1 - Deprecated functionality
• Section 2 - Obsolete Functionality
Oracle Reports 6i is the last version of Oracle Reports to support both a character-mode and a
client/server GUI reports viewer. Oracle will support Oracle Reports 6i until December 2003, with
extended support available till 2005.. These dates are based on the obsolescence of some
underlying component of Oracle Reports 6i relies upon, including operating systems.
For customers using Oracle Forms 6i, to call Oracle9i Reports, the only change necessary will be
to update the Form from using run_product to run_report_object, since Oracle9i Reports now
runs all reports through the Oracle9i AS Reports Services.
Client/server customers wishing to stay with Oracle Forms 6i and Oracle Reports 6i after
December 2003 will have extended support mode only until 2005 at which time support for
Oracle Reports 6i will cease. At this point, customers may continue to run their applications in an
unsupported mode or choose to migrate to the latest version of the Oracle Forms and Oracle
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 3 6/17/2002
Reports.
We hope that this document provides you with the information necessary to
prepare for your future reporting needs using Oracle9i Reports. As always, we are interested in
your feedback pertaining to Oracle Reports and our obsolescence plan. Please email your
comments to [email protected].
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 4 6/17/2002
SECTION 1 DEPRECATED* FUNCTIONALITY IN ORACLE9i REPORTS
*The functionality is no longer documented and its use is discouraged, as it will be dropped in a subsequent release. However, most existing applications using this functionality will continue to run without modification.
As with any product, time takes its toll on the usefulness of technology. This section
lists those functions that have reached a point where they no longer contribute
significantly to the usefulness of the tool, and alerts you to functions that are no longer
documented. Their use is discouraged, as they will be dropped in a subsequent release of Oracle
Reports.
• User Exits/Call Interface
• Executables
• Command line options
• SRW.SET_ATTR built-in
• Miscellaneous built-ins
• Miscellaneous items
USER EXITS
A user exit is a call to an external function that is executed within Oracle Reports. One of the
issues with User Exits is the need to remake the executables to link in all the User Exits. This
makes troubleshooting and upgrades to the product very difficult. In Oracle9i Reports, you can
call Java methods using the ORA_JAVA package and the Java importer. This reduces the need
to have User Exits in a report and allows for a more open and portable deployment. You may also
use the ORA_FFI package, which provides a foreign function interface for invoking C functions in
a dynamic library. With the availability of these new built-ins, the use of User Exits is discouraged
in Oracle9i Reports, though makefiles will still be supplied to permit you to continue to work with
existing User Exits.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 5 6/17/2002
USER EXIT BUILT-INS
Built-in being deprecated Action in Oracle9i Reports
srw.unknown_user_exit Remove srw.unknown_user_exit. Replace with ORA_FFI, or ora_java calls.
srw.user_exit Remove srw.user_exit. Replace with ORA_FFI, or ora_java calls.
srw.user_exit20 Remove srw.user_exit20. Replace with ORA_FFI, or ora_java calls.
Srw.user_exit_failure Remove srw.user_exit_failure. Replace with ORA_FFI, or ora_java calls.
EXECUTABLES
• rwcgi.exe (Win32) and rwcgi(UNIX) - Moving away from using Common Gateway Interface
(CGI), which will no longer be supported after Oracle9i Reports. Use Servlet or JSP instead.
COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
Option Option to use instead
CURRENCY - The currency character
to be used in number formats.
Set the NLS_CURRENCY environment variable. If not set, the
default value is based on the language derived from the
NLS_LANG variable.
THOUSANDS - The thousands
character to be used in number formats.
Set the NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS environment variable for
both the thousands separator and the decimal character. If not set,
the default value is based on the language derived from the
NLS_LANG variable.
DECIMAL - The decimal character to be
used in number formats.
Set the NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS environment variable for
both the thousands separator and the decimal character. If not set,
the default value is based on the language derived from the
NLS_LANG variable.
PROFILE - Name of file that stores
performance statistics.
Use TRACEOPTS=TRACE_PRF to write the specific performance
statistics in the trace file. See the online help for additional options.
ERRFILE - Name of file that stores error
messages.
Use TRACEOPTS=TRACE_ERR to write the specific performance
statistics in the trace file. See the online help for additional options.
LOGFILE - Name of file that stores
status and error output.
Use a third party application to capture screen print.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 6 6/17/2002
KEYIN - Name of a keystroke file that
executes at runtime.
Obsolete function with removal of client/server and character mode
GUI.
KEYOUT - Name of a keystroke file that
records at runtime.
Obsolete function with removal of client/server and character mode
GUI.
SRW.SET_ATTR BUILT-IN
The srw.set_attr function was originally designed to save time and resources by changing
attributes within a single built-in function. Over time, each of these functions has become a
separate built-in. The srw.set_attr functionality has remained for compatibility, but has been
documented as a non-recommended approach; we recommend that you use the newer built-in
specified in the following table. Here is an example of srw.set_attr:
If :sal > 2000 then
srw.attr.mask := srw.face_attr +
srw.sz_attr +
srw.weight_attr +
srw.style_attr +
srw.gcolor_attr;
srw.attr.face := ‘times’;
srw.attr.sz := 18;
srw.attr.weight:= srw.bold_weight;
srw.attr.style := srw.underline_style;
srw.attr.gcolor:= ‘blue’;
srw.set_attr (0, srw.attr);
end if;
RETURN (TRUE);
The following code performs the function as the above without using srw.set_attr:
If :sal > 2000 then
srw.set_font_face(‘times’)
srw.set_font_size(18)
srw.set_font_weight(srw.bold_weight)
srw.set_font_style(srw.underline_style)
srw.set_text_color(‘blue’)
end if;
RETURN (TRUE);
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 7 6/17/2002
The Following table provides the replacement built-in within Oracle9i Reports to be used instead
of the deprecated srw.set_attr masks.
SRW.SET_ATTR MASKS
Description of srw.attr.mask
being deprecated Attributes affected Action in Oracle9i Reports
srw.action_attr srw.attr.action Use srw.set_pdf_action
srw.aftcode_attr srw.attr.aftcode Use srw.set_after_printing_code
srw.aftform_escape_attr srw.attr.aftform_escape Use srw.set_after_form_html
srw.aftpage_escape_attr srw.attr.aftpage_escape Use srw.set_after_page_html
srw.aftreport_escape_attr srw.attr.aftreport Use srw.set_after_report_html
srw.bbcolor_attr srw.attr.bbcolor Use srw.set_background_border_color
srw.befcode_attr srw.attr.befcode Use srw.set_before_printing_code
srw.befform_escape_attr srw.attr.befform_escape Use srw.set_before_form_html
srw.befpage_escape_attr srw.attr.befpage_escape Use srw.set_before_page_html
srw.befreport_escape_attr srw.attr.befreport_escape Use srw.set_before_report_html
srw.bfcolor_attr srw.attr.bfcolor Use srw.set_background_fill_color
srw.bookmark_attr srw.attr.bookmark Use srw.set_bookmark
srw.borderwidth_attr srw.attr.borderwidth Use srw.set_border_width
srw.borderpatt_attr srw.attr.borderpatt Use srw.set_border_pattern
srw.face_attr srw.attr.face Use srw.set_font_face
srw.fbcolor_attr srw.attr.fbcolor Use srw.set_foreground_border_color
srw.ffcolor_attr srw. attr.ffcolor Use srw.set_foreground_fill_color
srw.fillpatt_attr srw.attr.fillpatt Use srw.set_fill_pattern
srw.formatmask_attr srw.attr.formatmask Use srw.set_format_mask
srw.gcolor_attr srw.attr.gcolor Use srw.set_text_color
srw.gspacing_attr srw.attr.gspacing Use srw.set_custom_spacing or
srw.set_spacing
srw.hjust_attr srw.attr.hjust Use srw.set_justification
srw.hyperlink_attr srw.attr.hyperlink Use srw.set_hyperlink
srw.linktag_attr srw.attr.linktag Use srw.set_linktag
srw.printer_intray_attr srw.attr.printer_intray Use srw.set_printer_tray
srw.plain_style srw.attr.plain_style Use srw.set_font_style(srw.plain_style)
srw.italic_style srw.attr.italic_style Use srw.set_font_style(srw.italic_style)
srw.oblique_style srw.attr.oblique_style No longer applicable
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 8 6/17/2002
Description of srw.attr.mask
being deprecated Attributes affected Action in Oracle9i Reports
srw.underline_style srw.attr.underline_style Use srw.set_font_style(srw.underline_style)
srw.outline_style srw.attr.outline_style No longer applicable
srw.shadow_style srw.attr.shadow_style No longer applicable
srw.inverted_style srw.attr.inverted_style No longer applicable
srw.overstrike_style srw.attr.overstrike_style No longer applicable
srw.blink_style srw.attr.blink_style No longer applicable
srw.sz_attr srw.attr.sz Use srw.set_font_size(size)
srw.plain_texta srw.attr.plain_texta Use srw.set_charmode_text(srw.plain_texta)
srw.reverse_texta srw.attr.reverse_texta Remove srw.set_attr built-in
srw.bold_texta srw.attr.bold_texta Use srw.set_charmode_text(srw.bold_texta)
srw.reversebold_texta srw.attr.reversebold_texta No longer applicable
srw.underline_texta srw.attr.underline_texta Use srw.set_charmode_text(srw.underline_texta)
srw.underlinereverse_texta srw.attr.underlinereverse_texta No longer applicable
srw.underlinebold_texta srw.attr.underlinebold_texta No longer applicable
srw.reverseboldunderline_texta srw.attr.
reverseboldunderline_texta No longer applicable
srw.ultralight_weight srw.attr.ultralight_weight No longer applicable
srw.extralight_weight srw.attr.extralight_weight No longer applicable
srw.light_weight srw.attr.light_weight No longer applicable
srw.demilight_weight srw.attr.demilight_weight No longer applicable
srw.medium_weight srw.attr.medium_weight Use srw.set_font_weight(srw.medium_weight)
srw.demibold_weight srw.attr.demibold_weight No longer applicable
srw.bold_weight srw.attr.bold_weight Use srw.set_font_weight(srw.bold_weight)
srw.extrabold_weight srw.attr.extrabold_weight No longer applicable
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 9 6/17/2002
MISCELLANEOUS BUILT-INS
The following table lists other deprecated functionality for built-ins.
Built-in parameters being deprecated
Built-in affected Action in Oracle9i Reports
srw.oblique_style srw.set_font_style Applicable for client/server only
NOTE: Font styles to remain:
srw.underline_style
srw.plain.style
srw.italic_style
srw.outline_style srw.set_font_style Applicable for client/server only
srw.shadow_style srw.set_font_style Applicable for client/server only
srw.inverted_style srw.set_font_style Applicable for client/server only
srw.blink_style srw.set_font_style Applicable for client/server only
srw.ultralight_weight srw.set_font_weight
Applicable for client/server only
NOTE: Font weights to remain:
srw.medium_weight
srw.bold_weight
srw.extralight_weight srw.set_font_weight Applicable for client/server only
srw.light_weight srw.set_font_weight Applicable for client/server only
srw.demilight_weight srw.set_font_weight Applicable for client/server only
srw.demibold_weight srw.set_font_weight Applicable for client/server only
srw.extrabold_weight srw.set_font_weight Applicable for client/server only
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Description of item Executable Affected Comments
Functionality to imbed an
OLE2 object.
rwbuilder.exe (rwbld60.exe in
6i) (Win32) and
rwbld60(Unix)
This is a client/server mode feature no
longer applicable in the Web environment
and can be mimicked using mime types with
associated plug-ins and hyperlinks.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 10 6/17/2002
SECTION 2 OBSOLETE FEATURES IN ORACLE9i REPORTS
This section describes items removed from Oracle9i Reports. By continuing to
remove obsolete functionality (and replacing it with new technology), Oracle9i
Reports ensures that our customers have the functionality they need for successful e-
Business development and deployment. These changes are consistent with moving away from
the client/server model and towards Web-based deployment.
• The rwrun60c character mode viewer (UNIX)
• Client/server GUI report viewer for Reports Runtime executable
• Oracle Graphics
• Miscellaneous items
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 11 6/17/2002
RWRUN60C EXECUTABLE (UNIX) – CHARACTER-MODE RUNTIME/VIEWER
Oracle9i Reports no longer includes the special character mode runtime user interface
executable (rwrun60c), which was specific to the UNIX operating system.
Note that character-mode reports can still be designed in Reports Builder and character- mode
output produced with Oracle9i Reports by using rwrun.exe with the mode=character option on the
command line.
CLIENT/SERVER USER INTERFACE (GUI) FOR REPORTS RUNTIME (RWRUN) EXECUTABLE
In Oracle9i Reports, the runtime executable (rwrun.exe) no longer displays the Parameter Form
or screen preview (i.e., no graphical user interface for client/server reports). If the report contains
parameters, they must be passed on the command line. If the paramform=yes command line is
used, it will be ignored. If the destype=preview parameter is used, an error will be generated
stating that this format is no longer supported. This makes rwrun.exe equivalent in functionality to
rwclient.exe (i.e., it will run the report through the Reports Server instead of directly calling a
Reports engine). You can still use rwrun.exe to send the output to the file, printer, or other
supported formats.
In Oracle9i Reports, all reports are run through Oracle9iAS Reports Services. This allows you to
take full advantage of the Reports Server for security and distribution functionality. It also allows
for a more streamlined architecture and consistency within the product.
Oracle9i Reports will supply a mechanism that allows users running Oracle Forms 6i applications
to use the Oracle9i Reports Services. To leverage this service from within Forms it is required to
use the run_report_object instead of run_product for running reports. Further information can be
found on the Oracle Technology Network (http://otn.oracle.com) in the Forms Reports integration
paper.
ORACLE GRAPHICS
Oracle Graphics is no longer used to create charts in Oracle9i Reports. Instead, Oracle9i
Reports uses a new Graph Wizard, which will offer a much greater selection of graph types as
well as more control over the look and feel of the graph directly from within Reports Builder.
Existing 6i reports containing Oracle Graphics charts will execute under Oracle9i Reports, but will
require a 6i installation of Oracle Graphics on the same machine in a separate ORACLE_HOME.
This functionality will remain only for the Oracle9i Reports release. We strongly suggest that all
Oracle Graphics objects be recreated using the new Graph Wizard.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 12 6/17/2002
Because of the underlying technology, there is no migration path or conversion mechanism
available to convert Oracle Graphics charts to the new Graph Wizard format.
Oracle Graphics executables will not be shipped with Oracle9i Reports:
EXECUTABLES NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN ORACLE9i REPORTS
• Reports Background Engine (rwrbe60.exe) (Win32) and (rwrbe60)(UNIX)—all reports are
now executed through Reports Server, no more direct calls to the Reports Engine. This has
an impact on calling Oracle9i Reports from Oracle Forms using the run_product built-in.
Please review the document Oracle Forms: Features Obsolescence for Release 9i for
information on using run_report_object built-in.
• Reports Engine for OCI (rwisv60.exe) (Win32)—all reports are now executed through
Reports Services, no more direct calls to the Reports Engine.
• Oracle Application Server (OAS cartridge) (rwows60.dll) (Win32) (rwows60.so) (UNIX)—OAS
is no longer supported. Use Servlet or JSP.
• Query Builder (obe60.exe) (Win32)—The stand-alone version of Query Builder is being
removed, but Query Builder will continue to be available from within Reports Builder.
• Oracle Graphics Runtime (gorun60.exe-Win32) (g60runm -UNIX)
• Oracle Graphics Builder (gobld60.exe-Win32) (g60desm - UNIX)
• Oracle Graphics Batch (gobat60.exe-Win32) (g60batm - UNIX)
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
Item being removed Executable affected
Description/Comments
Ability to create a
button in layout
model.
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
and Reports
Runtime
(rwrun.exe)
Removed all functionality of buttons and all properties
associated with them. This is a GUI feature of client/server
mode and is no longer applicable. Use hyperlinks instead. In the
builder, reports containing buttons will have the buttons
converted to text objects.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 13 6/17/2002
Item being removed Executable affected
Description/Comments
Define an external
query
(File>New>External
Query)
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
This is inconsistent with the current functionality of Data
Modeler. These files contain stand-alone SQL queries stored in
the file system. The Report Wizard still allows you to import a
query from a file into the Data Model.
PVCS, Clearcase for
source control
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
PVCS and Clearcase can no longer be used for source control.
Use Oracle9i Software Configuration Manager (Oracle9i SCM).
Ability to open or
save reports to the
database.
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
Reports can no longer be saved to/opened from the database.
The only available modes of saving your modules will be directly
to the file system or by saving them into source control (Oracle
9i SCM) using the Check in and Check out capabilities. If you
currently have reports stored in the database, you will need to
open them in a previous version of Oracle Reports and save
them to the file system.
Oracle Reports Call
Interface (OCI) to call
Reports executables
from a 3GL program.
Calling Oracle9i Reports directly from within a 3GL program will
no longer be supported. Sample programs, header files, DLL’s,
and documentation that support OCI are no longer shipped with
Oracle9i Reports. Replace this functionality by using the
rwclient.exe command line interface or JSP tag library
Report on Report
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
The srwdoclb.rdf and srwdocpb.rdf will no longer be shipped
with Oracle Reports. These rdf’s were run against rdf’s stored in
the database, reporting on metadata for these reports.
MAPI e-mail protocol Reports Services
(rwserver.exe)
Moving to the Internet standard SMTP protocol.
Oracle drawing
format (files with the
.odf extension)
Reports Builder
(rwbuilder.exe)
(Win32) and
(UNIX)
Oracle drawing format is no longer supported. CGM, TIFF,
JPEG, BMP, PICT, PCX, and GIF are still supported.
ActiveX (or OCX)
control interface to
Reports Server
component.
rwsxa60.ocx
rwsxu60.ocx
The OCX control interface to the Reports Server is no longer
supported. Sample programs, header files, and other files that
used this are no longer shipped with Oracle Reports. Use
rwclient.exe (the command line interface), or open a socket and
communicate over http.
Web Wizard Rwbuilder.exe Replaced with the Insert Bookmards dialog box.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 14 6/17/2002
CHANGES TO THE BATCH AND BACKGROUND COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
Executable affected Yes No
RWRUN
Background=YES/NO
YES will generate a warning that this is
obsolete functionality and is ignored.
NO is the default.
RWRUN
Batch=YES/NO
YES is the default.
RWRUN will always run as a batch
command.
NO is obsolete and is ignored as
command will always run as batch.
RWCLIENT
Background=YES/NO
YES will run RWCLIENT
asynchronously. The client is released
to perform the next task.
NO is the default. The client will wait
until the job is finished.
RWCLIENT
Batch=YES/NO
Has never been a valid option Has never been a valid option
RWSERVLET
Background=YES/NO
Yes will run asynchronously. This was
the default mode in Oracle 6i Reports
for destype of printer and file.
NO is the default. Waits until the job is
finished. In Oracle 6i Reports, this was
dependant on the destype. For Oracle9i
Reports, it is standard across all
destypes.
RWSERVLET
Batch=YES/NO
Has never been a valid option. Has never been a valid option.
RWCGI
Background=YES/NO
Same as rwservlet. Same as rwservlet.
RWCGI
Batch=YES/NO
Same as rwservlet. Same as rwservlet.
RWSERVER
Background=YES/NO
Has never been a valid option. Has never been a valid option.
RWSERVER
Batch=YES/NO
No dialog for the server is displayed. NO is the default and the server dialog
box is displayed.
RWBUILDER
Background=YES/NO
Has never been a valid option. Causes
a rep-34551, deprecated feature error,
but continues working.
Has never been a valid option.
RWBUILDER
Batch=YES/NO
Has never been a valid option. Has never been a valid option.
Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 15 6/17/2002
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Oracle Reports Statement of Direction 16 6/17/2002