Comet Reporter FAQ

Whether you're a first-time Reporter user or you currently have your Data Dictionary represented by #FILES or .d00 files, you will create your #CFILES using DbMgr. To run DbMgr either run "DbMgr" from the READY prompt or select #36 from the QTILITY menu. In DbMgr choose the "Utilities" tab. Click the "Generate #CFILES" button. Select the directory where you'd like #CFILES to be created. If you're a first-time user, select the "Create empty #CFILES" button. If you're converting an old data dictionary select either the "Use .d00 files" or "Use old #FILES". The conversion process will not destroy or alter in any way your existing data dictionary.

Select "Replace existing #CFILES" then click the "Generate" button. Depending on the size of your old dictionary this will take anywhere from a couple of seconds to several minutes. When the conversion is done, you will be told how many file definitions were created and a text file containing the conversion report will be launched. Read this report carefully as it will notify you of any errors that were found during the conversion.

Now that your Data Dictionary is built you will use DbMgr to maintain the entries and to define new files, their fields, and their relationships to other files.

We built a lot of help directly into the app itself. There are some tips to get you started on the Introduction page and there are some tutorial videos available.

Yes, you may. The back-end will process your Reporter command file whether it is a Comet text file or a Comet CED-format keyed file. The preferred file type and the only one supported by the front-end is a Comet text file with a ".ibr" extension.

Yes, you can. You do it exactly as you are doing it now. The only difference is that QREPORTS is now located in the UTL directory rather than the UTR directory.

The 8.00 Reporter is released as part of the UTL directory. Once you've generated your #CFILES Data Dictionary you shouldn't need to run the older Reporter which was released in the UTR directory.

The layout of #CFILES is similar to that of #FILES. The FORMATs required are defined in CFiles.inc which is released as part of the XTL directory.

Yes, you may continue to run them as you always have. However, we hope you find the 8.00 front-end a more powerful solution. It does everything ViewMgr did and much more. You can convert a view (.V00 file) to a report (.ibr file). Run ViewMgr. Select the view you want to convert. Click the "Save as .ibr" button. Your view remains as it was and now you have a new file that lets you run that view as a report.

Yes #CFILES is also used by the table lookup subprogram called CmtHelpD. This program uses a ListControl to allow the user to select the record whose primary key field will be returned to the calling program. This facility can easily be added to your existing application.

The conversion process doesn't destroy your old Data Dictionary or your old reports. If you want to revert to the older version simply erase #CFILES and reinstall UTL version 7.03.