The topics in this section discuss the features and functionality in Oracle Reports Builder.
Oracle Reports Builder is the report-building component of Oracle Reports, a powerful enterprise reporting tool that enables you to rapidly develop and deploy sophisticated Web and paper reports against any data source (including an Oracle database, JDBC, XML, and text files). Leveraging Java EE technologies such as JSP and XML, you can publish your reports in a variety of formats (including HTML, XML, PDF, spreadsheet, delimited text, PostScript, and RTF) to any destination (including e-mail, Web browser, Oracle Portal, and file system) in a scalable, efficient manner. Recognizing the differences between Web publishing and paper publishing, Oracle Reports Builder provides the power to develop high quality output for the Web and e-business requirements, as well as high-fidelity printed reports Oracle Reports Builder includes:
user-friendly wizards that guide you through the report design process
pluggable data sources (PDSs), such as JDBC and XML, that provide access to data from any source for your reports
a query builder with a graphical representation of the SQL statement to obtain report data
default report templates and layout styles that can be customized if needed
a live editor that enables you to modify paper report layouts in WYSIWYG mode
the ability to add dynamic report output to an HTML page by embedding custom JSP tags within an HTML document
an integrated graph builder to graphically represent report data
the ability to generate code to customize how reports will run
tools that dynamically generate Web pages based on your data
standard report output formats such as HTML, HTMLCSS, XML, PDF, RTF, Spreadsheet, PCL, PostScript, and ASCII
client-side parameter validation using JavaScript
the ability to execute dynamic SQL statements within PL/SQL procedures
support for Oracle database objects
event-based reporting (report execution based on database events)
seamless integration with Oracle Portal for administering report security and publishing report output to portlets
Oracle Reports 11g Release 1 (11.1.1) provides many new features and enhancements. The primary themes of this release are:
Tighter integration with Oracle Fusion Middleware Platform and Services to provide simplified administration of complex topologies and deployments.
Enhancements in top supportability areas with architectural changes.
New features in key enterprise reporting areas.
The chapter titled "Introduction" in the Oracle Fusion Middleware Publishing Reports to the Web with Oracle Reports Services manual, available on the Oracle Technology Network details the new functionality in Oracle Reports 11g Release 1 (11.1.1), along with the equivalent 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) functionality, when applicable.
For additional information, see the Oracle Reports 11g page on the Oracle Technology Network.