Developer Studio Application Development Getting Started

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This documentation provides an introduction to the WebFOCUS development environment. This manual is intended for application developers and power users.

How This Manual Is Organized

This manual includes the following chapters:

Chapter/Appendix		Contents
1	Introducing WebFOCUS and Developer Studio	Describes the architecture of WebFOCUS and Developer Studio, and provides information about WebFOCUS environments and Developer Studio data source descriptions.
2	Exploring Your WebFOCUS Development Environment	Describes the WebFOCUS development environment, including the Explorer layout and toolbars. It also provides descriptions of the graphical development tools that enable you to quickly build and deploy reporting applications.
3	Setting Preferences	Provides information for setting preferences from the Developer Studio Options dialog box.
4	Tutorial: Creating an OLAP-enabled Report in Developer Studio	Provides step-by-step instructions for creating an OLAP-enabled report in Developer Studio. You will use the Dimensions Tool to create a local hierarchy and the Report Painter to create a report. After you OLAP-enable your report, you will use OLAP analytic tools, such as the selections panel and the OLAP Control Panel (OCP), to query and analyze your data.
5	Tutorial: Creating a Reporting Application Using the HTML Composer	You will use the HTML Composer to create a layout in which you can insert text, an image, a report, a frame for drill-down output, and selection parameters. During this tutorial, you will directly access other tools, such as the Advanced Graph Assistant and the Report Painter, to create procedures and an HTML form.

Documentation Conventions

The following table lists and describes the conventions that apply in this manual.

Convention	Description
THIS TYPEFACE or this typeface	Denotes syntax that you must enter exactly as shown.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable) in syntax for a value that you or the system must supply.
underscore	Indicates a default setting.
this typeface	Represents a placeholder (or variable), a cross-reference, or an important term. It may also indicate a button, menu item, or dialog box option you can click or select.
this typeface	Highlights a file name or command.
Key + Key	Indicates keys that you must press simultaneously.
{ }	Indicates two or three choices; type one of them, not the braces.
[ ]	Indicates a group of optional parameters. None are required, but you may select one of them. Type only the parameter in the brackets, not the brackets.
\|	Separates mutually exclusive choices in syntax. Type one of them, not the symbol.
...	Indicates that you can enter a parameter multiple times. Type only the parameter, not the ellipsis points (...).
. . .	Indicates that there are (or could be) intervening or additional commands.

Related Publications

To view a current listing of our publications and to place an order, visit our Technical Documentation Library, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com. You can also contact the Publications Order Department at (800) 969-4636.

Customer Support

Do you have any questions about this product?

Join the Focal Point community. Focal Point is our online developer center and more than a message board. It is an interactive network of more than 3,000 developers from almost every profession and industry, collaborating on solutions and sharing tips and techniques, http://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums.

You can also access support services electronically, 24 hours a day, with InfoResponse Online. InfoResponse Online is accessible through our World Wide Web site, http://www.informationbuilders.com. It connects you to the tracking system and known-problem database at the Information Builders support center. Registered users can open, update, and view the status of cases in the tracking system and read descriptions of reported software issues. New users can register immediately for this service. The technical support section of www.informationbuilders.com also provides usage techniques, diagnostic tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Call Information Builders Customer Support Service (CSS) at (800) 736-6130 or (212) 736-6130. Customer Support Consultants are available Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST to address all your questions. Information Builders consultants can also give you general guidance regarding product capabilities and documentation. Please be ready to provide your six-digit site code number (xxxx.xx) when you call.

To learn about the full range of available support services, ask your Information Builders representative about InfoResponse Online, or call (800) 969-INFO.

Information You Should Have

To help our consultants answer your questions effectively, be prepared to provide the following information when you call:

Your six-digit site code (xxxx.xx).
Your WebFOCUS configuration:
- The front-end you are using, including vendor and release.
- The communications protocol (for example, TCP/IP or HLLAPI), including vendor and release.
- The software release.
- Your server version and release. You can find this information using the Versionoption in the Web Console.
The stored procedure (preferably with line numbers) or SQL statements being used in server access.
The Master File and Access File.
The exact nature of the problem:
- Are the results or the format incorrect? Are the text or calculations missing or misplaced?
- The error message and return code, if applicable.
- Is this related to any other problem?
Has the procedure or query ever worked in its present form? Has it been changed recently? How often does the problem occur?
What release of the operating system are you using? Has it, your security system, communications protocol, or front-end software changed?
Is this problem reproducible? If so, how?
Have you tried to reproduce your problem in the simplest form possible? For example, if you are having problems joining two data sources, have you tried executing a query containing just the code to access the data source?
Do you have a trace file?
How is the problem affecting your business? Is it halting development or production? Do you just have questions about functionality or documentation?

User Feedback

In an effort to produce effective documentation, the Documentation Services staff welcomes your opinions regarding this manual. Please use the Reader Comments form at the end of this manual to communicate suggestions for improving this publication or to alert us to corrections. You can also use the Documentation Feedback form on our Web site, http://documentation.informationbuilders.com/feedback.asp.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.

Information Builders Consulting and Training

Interested in training? Information Builders Education Department offers a wide variety of training courses for this and other Information Builders products.

For information on course descriptions, locations, and dates, or to register for classes, visit our World Wide Web site (http://www.informationbuilders.com) or call (800) 969-INFO to speak to an Education Representative.