Glossary
.fex

The file extension for a procedure.

Access File

Contains information needed by WebFOCUS to access the data in a data source. The Access File includes the real name and location of the data source.

Alert result

A report procedure that is triggered by an Alert test if a set of defined conditions (rules) is met (true).

Alert test

A test that checks whether or not a set of defined conditions (rules) is met (true or false). If the test is triggered and the set of conditions has been met (true), it generates an Alert result.

Alert tool

A tool you can use to set up a test condition that determines if an alert should be triggered. This helps to determine when and under what conditions a report should be submitted. For example, an alert would be triggered when an order exceeds $1 million.

APPROOT

A variable in the directory path on the WebFOCUS Reporting Server. The default setting for APPROOT is install_drive:\ibi\apps.

Basic Expression Builder

A tool you can use to create expressions quickly, by selecting fields, relations, operators, and values from lists. You can base selection criteria on a specified value, a variable value, or a field value. You can access the Basic Expression Builder either by clicking the Assist button within the WHEN dialog box in Report Painter, or from a WHERE-based Join.

calculated value

A temporary field that is calculated after all records have been selected, sorted, and aggregated.

component

A piece of a procedure, such as a report, graph, or Join. Components are stored within a .fex file.

Create Synonym tool

A tool you can use to create synonyms for remote data sources configured with the WebFOCUS Reporting Server, or for tables that reside on a subserver.

Creation tool

A tool you can use to create a procedure, such as a report, graph, Join, SQL report, or DEFINE function. Examples of a creation tool include Report Painter, Composer, SQL Report Wizard, and Procedure Viewer.

cube

A multi-dimensional data source.

Define tool

A tool that you use to create virtual fields as a component in a reporting procedure. Define the virtual field by assigning a format and typing an expression, or by composing it using the calculator and the fields and functions listed in the tabbed panes in the Define tool window.

delimited flat file

A data file that you can upload for use in the WebFOCUS reporting tools, such as a .txt, .csv, .ftm, .dat, or .tmp file.

deployment

The process where Developer Studio takes partitioned files and moves them to the target servers, where they make up an application that users run on the web.

Engine tool

A tool you can use to create ENGINE statements. These statements control connection attributes and override parameters.

Expression Builder

A tool you can use to create expressions quickly, by selecting fields, relations, operators, and values from lists. You can base selection criteria on a specified value, a variable value, or a field value. You can access the Expression Builder by clicking Where, If, or Where Total from the Where/If drop-down menu.

filter

A selection criterion, or WHERE statement, that you can use to quickly select predefined criteria that limits the data included in a report or a graph.

graph

A graphical representation of data within a Master File. You can use the Graph tool to create graphs, and these graphs can be inserted in the page layout.

hierarchy

A parent/child relationship between fields. The relationship is defined in a Master File.

HOLD file

A type of output file. The output of a report request stored in a file that you can use as input to another WebFOCUS procedure.

Information Builders File System (IBFS)

A logical addressing system used by WebFOCUS to store and retrieve objects.

Join

A temporary connection between two or more data source files that share at least one common field. Once files are joined, each time a record is retrieved from the first file (host file), it also retrieves the matching records from the second file (cross-referenced file).

Maintain File

Contains commands that can access, read, and manipulate the information in a data source.

Master File

Describes the data source from where you are reporting. The Master File is a map of the data source and all of the fields. By looking at the Master File, you can determine what fields are in the data source, what they are named, and how they are formatted. You can also determine how the fields in the data source relate to each other.

output file

Contains the output of a report request. You can capture the output multiple times in different formats. Each output file is classified as either Save or Hold.

partitioning

The process where you identify the target web server on which the web-based files will reside, and the WebFOCUS Reporting Server on which files, such as procedures, will reside. A partition is defined in a deployment scenario.

procedure

A series of components that you can execute one after another. For example, a procedure can consist of a Join, Set, and report.

project

A reporting application consisting of different kinds of files. This can be a stand-alone application in the development environment or a web-based application implemented through the deployment feature.

report request

A series of commands and phrases that defines the contents and format of a report.

ReportCaster

A WebFOCUS tool. ReportCaster is a scheduling and distribution application that centralizes the execution and distribution of WebFOCUS reports, the contents of URLs, and files. ReportCaster supports multiple administrators and provides a single point of control for managing the information required to run an organization.

reporting application

A self-contained program with an interface that you can use to accomplish reporting tasks.

Reporting Object

A tailored view of a set of data that a Managed Reporting Administrator creates and saves to a group folder. The data contained in a Reporting Object is used to create personal reports quickly and in compliance with the reporting rules and guidelines of your company.

SAVE file

A type of output file. The output of a request stored in a file that you can use as input to a variety of applications, programming languages, and other WebFOCUS facilities, depending on the format type you specify. The default Save format is ALPHA, an ASCII text file containing your data values as printable characters.

source control

Manages access to source code and keeps track of all code changes.

synonym

Defines a unique logical name (also known as an alias) for each web services operation. Synonyms are useful because they insulate client applications from changes to the location and identity of a request. You can move or rename a request without modifying the client applications that use it. You need to make only one change, redefining the request synonym on the server. They provide support for the extended metadata features of the server, such as virtual fields and security mechanisms. Creating a synonym generates a Master File and an Access File.

temporary field

A field whose value is not stored in the data source. You can calculate a temporary field from the data that is there, or assign it an absolute value. A temporary field takes up no storage space in the data source, and is created only when needed.

Text Editor

A tool you can use to view the code, launch graphical tools, and to create procedures and other types of application files.

Update Assist

A tool you can use to create applications that add records, update records, or delete records against any data source for which you have read/write access. To access Update Assist, open a project, right-click any Master File in the project path, and click Update Assist.

variable

Used to slice data. You can use a variable in data selection and in some cases, to populate a drop-down list box.

virtual field

A temporary field that is evaluated as each record that meets the selection criteria is retrieved from the data source.

virtual folder

A folder that applies a logical structure to a project, but does not actually exist as a physical directory. When you create a project, the project node populates with virtual folders labeled HTML files, Maintain Files, Master Files, Procedures, and Other.

WebFOCUS Administration Console

The interface that administrators use to manage the WebFOCUS environment and configuration settings.

WHERE expression

An expression that displays only those field values that meet your needs.

WHERE Expression Builder

A tool you can use to create a WHERE expression. The WHERE Expression Builder is only available in the Join tool and when two or more files are joined together. Creating a WHERE expression in the Join tool creates a conditional Join.

Workspace file

Contains projects that are stored on your PC. You can control and limit projects that are visible by using Workspace files in the Projects area of Developer Studio Explorer.


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