The chapters in this Part provide steps to build reports that use PL/SQL code or Java. You can include PL/SQL, PL/SQL libraries, REF CURSORs, and barcodes in your reports, and build JSP-based Web reports that include a Parameter Form.
A PL/SQL report uses an external PL/SQL library and PL/SQL within a report to modify formatting and to perform calculations on column values. For example, you can use a PL/SQL procedure in a format trigger to include a space between records similar to a break report or to calculate the total compensation for each employee.
A paper report with REF CURSORs helps manage queries. (A REF CURSOR is a PL/SQL cursor datatype that you can reference from within a PL/SQL query.) For example, if you already have numerous queries built and you want to reuse those queries in your reports, you can use a REF CURSOR in your report data model to access those queries.
A JSP-based Web report can be modified by adding a Parameter Form to accept user input at runtime that will determine what data will display in the report.
A barcode can be added to a paper or Web report by using the barcode JavaBean. In Oracle Reports Builder, the barcode JavaBean automatically generates a barcode for you based on the data you specify. For example, you can use the barcode to track shipping orders by generating a barcode based on the shipping order code.
Using Oracle Reports and the standards defined in the Web Accessibility Guidelines, you can create a report that produces output that is compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers. Oracle Reports provides properties and tags to support this effort.