Report Writer/Mass Load is a program that performs two functions:
To extract information from the database and create custom reports.
To update one or more fields of information for a large group of records in a file.
Note: The Report Writer/Mass Load functionality has not been incorporated into Solar Eclipse as of this release. Use the character-based system to use these features.
Use Report Writer to extract information from the database and create custom reports.
A report is a file of information that you can print directly from the system or download to your PC, where another application can use the data. The Report Writer program can calculate subtotals and totals, perform mathematical calculations, and print mailing or bin labels.
You can save a report layout and selection criteria and then run the report at another time or set up the Phantom Scheduler to run the report on a regular basis.
Use Mass Load to update one or more fields of information for a large group of records in a file. You can enter data, such as credit data for customers or inventory control parameters for products, and then save the mass load screen layout and selection criteria to use at another time. Updating records in the database can be time-consuming and tedious. If you need to set the same parameter for many records, use Mass Load to update these records with one program run.
For example, you can select a set of products and apply a lost sale parameter. Instead of creating a report with the list of products and then updating each product one at a time, you can use Mass Load to select the products and apply the parameter.
The report writer and mass load functions share features of one program. Each function uses a different view of the Report Writer/Mass Load Design screen. Both functions access fields of data in system files. Report Writer uses the selected information for reporting purposes. Mass Load updates the selected fields of information.
If you create a report that identifies selection parameters, you can switch views and use those same parameters in the Mass Load program to update the files.
We recommend that you have a good understanding of the Eclipse Dictionary before using the Report Writer / Mass Load programs. For more information, see Eclipse Dictionary Overview. We also recommend that you attend the UniVerse Data Structures and Report Writer/Mass Load classes before creating your own reports or mass loads.
Click here for a printable version of the Report Writer Mass/Load documentation.
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