Part VI
Building Reports with PL/SQL and Java

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.

• Chapter 37, "Building a PL/SQL Report"

  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.

• Chapter 38, "Building a Paper Report with Ref Cursors"

  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.

• Chapter 39, "Building a Simple Parameter Form for a JSP-based Web Report"

  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.

• Chapter 40, "Building a Report with a Barcode"

  A barcode can be added to a paper or Web report by using the barcode JavaBean. In 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.