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The Report Generator collects information from a database file and creates reports in the form of text files, AutoCAD drawing sheets (DXF files) or Excel sheets. A form defines the look of the report. The form is a text file or a DXF file.

 

The Report Generator can collect information from any xBase database file. In most cases, it works with so-called TARGET databases named after their location in the TARGET directory of cadett ELSA projects. Those TARGET databases may be seen as temporary files created for each report generation. This process is automatic. The Report Generator contacts Dynamic Online, which in turn collects the information needed from the PDS (the Project Data Server of the OnLine Engine), the Catalogue or elsewhere, and stores the assembled information in the TARGET databases, for the Report Generator to use.

 

The Report Generator reads information from the selected TARGET-database. It filters the information according to the filter conditions of the current Report Definition. Thereafter the information is sorted by the criterions which are stated for that in the Report Definition. Finally, the Report Generator grabs all this information and fills in the specified form.