Checking Compilation Errors

In order for the report to work it must be compiled. This process generates a program that runs the report whenever necessary. Each time you change a report it has to be compiled again so that the program is updated with the changes made.

To check compilation errors

1. Compile the report by clicking the Check report icon (represented by a tick) on the Tool bar. Alternatively you can select the Tools option from the Menu bar and then select the Check option.

If errors have been made in the construction of the report, normally in the derived field section, then compilation errors are displayed.

Note: Although they look strange, the compilation error messages are quite easy to track. At the start of each line of the error message there is an indication of the location of the problem. A derived field name or perhaps a line of selection criteria is given. A message just below the displayed line indicates the location of the compilation error.

2. After any compilation errors have been rectified, the report definition should be re-compiled, by again clicking on the Check report icon button (represented by a tick).

   If no further errors occur you may then choose to:

   • Test run the Report by either clicking on the Test run report icon (represented by a blank page with a magnifying glass over it) or clicking on Tools and Run.

   • Save the report by clicking on the save report icon (represented by a diskette)

   • Exit the Report Generator by clicking on the Exit Report Generator icon (represented by an open door with an arrow pointing into it). This will return you to the main Report Generator menu.

To Delete

1. Select the File option.

2. Select the Delete option.

3. Confirm the report is to be deleted by clicking the Delete button.

   The description is destroyed and you are returned to the Report ID prompt.

   Warning: Make sure that you want to destroy the report before clicking on the Delete button.

To test run a report:

1. Click the Test run report icon (represented by a blank page with a magnifying glass over it). Alternatively select the Tools option and then select the Run option.

Note: This option allows the report to be run from within the definition forms, rather than from the main module report menu. After the report is run, you are returned to the report definition process.

To save only

1. Click the save report icon (represented by a diskette). Alternatively select the File option and then select the Save option.

Tip: It is possible to save a report without compiling it. This is useful if you wish to save a report before all the relevant sections are completed.

Compilation Error Examples

Problems generally occur because you have forgotten to surround character values with quotation marks or, on selection, you forget to explicitly itemise the selection rules. The following entries would generate an error during compiling the report:

Derived field compile error:

If a derived field such as this were typed in:

( !1_NAME = SMITH ? "YES" : "NO" )

An error would be generated because as well as surrounding the YES and NO with quote marks, you should have put similar punctuation around the name SMITH.

( !1_NAME = "SMITH" ? "YES" : "NO" )

This second version will not generate an error message.

Select tab rules error:

A common error with the select tab rules is as follows:

!1_AREA >= "A001" AND <= "F001"

An error would be generated because for each item of selection there needs to be three components; a field, an operator and a value. In the above example there are two items of selection on one line and the field name is missing from the second. Therefore the following version would be correct.

!1_AREA >= "A001" AND !1_AREA <= "F001"