Glossary

This section provides definitions for ReportCaster specific terms as well as security and Java concepts.

Address Book

The interface for creating a distribution list for a ReportCaster schedule.

API/SQL (Application Programming Interface for Structured Query Language)

A component of the server product from Information Builders. API/SQL is a call-level interface that enables third-generation language application programs to manage local and remote databases.

Automatic Passthru (APT)

The ability of the Hub or Full-function Server to detect that the SQL received is compatible with the target engine and so does not need to be translated.

Beans

Components (objects) written by a Java developer that extend JavaBeans components (for example, DSTSchedFactory).

BLOB

Binary Large Object.

burst value

The filter used for breaking a report into relevant sections.

bursting

A feature that breaks a report into sections to be distributed separately. Bursting enables specified sections of a report to be distributed to individual recipients.

Catalog

A registry of data that describes objects used by SQL applications. Similar to the native catalog of a RDBSM, an SQL server has its own catalog for keeping track of data sources, stored procedures, and other objects.

SQL catalogs include:

Dynamic Catalog. A registry of data about EDA/SQL data sources, columns in data sources, collections of data sources, stored procedures, and user IDs. It resides on a Hub or Full-function Server.

Relational Gateway Catalog. An optional extension to the native RDBMS catalog when using a Relational Gateway. This catalog tracks data sources, columns, keys, indexes, collections, stored procedures, creators, and supported data types. It is necessary when using the EDA/Extender for Microsoft ODBC, EDA/Compose, or EDA/Extender for Lotus DataLens. It is also required by any client application that uses metadata about stored procedures or runs stored procedures written to access EDA/SQL metadata.

class

The formal description of an object. The class acts as the template from which an instance of an object is created at run time. The class defines the properties (member variables) of the object and the member functions used to control the object's behavior. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

CLOB

Character Large Object.

Custom Reports

A report that is created and edited using Report Assistant, Graph Assistant, or the Editor. Custom Reports are located in the Custom Reports folder located under the My Reports tab in the Managed Reporting Domains environment. Custom Reports are available to users who have been granted the Advanced privilege in Managed Reporting. Administrators automatically have the Advanced privilege and they can assign this privilege to Analytical Users and Developers.

Dashboard

The WebFOCUS Business Intelligence Dashboard allows you to create a customized user interface for access to WebFOCUS Managed Reporting.

Database Administrator

Is responsible for the maintenance and creation of databases and the maintenance of the database catalog or data dictionary.

Direct Passthru

The ability to send dialect-specific SQL, rather than EDA/SQL, to a relational server.

Distribution List

Defines the distribution method, Access List, burst value and address for specific job. Distribution Lists may be reused for multiple jobs.

distribution method

The means by which ReportCaster output is distributed. The distribution method may be by e-mail, printer, or FTP.

Distribution Object

A Java object that includes the distribution list and the burst value, if any.

Distribution Server

A Java application that governs the process of submitting and distributing a scheduled job. The ReportCaster Distribution Server can be installed on the same platform as the WebFOCUS Reporting Server and the WebFOCUS components or it can be installed on a different platform.

Document Type Definition (DTD)

Specifies the types of tags that can be included in your XML document, and how each tag is to be processed.

firewall

A system or combination of systems that enforces a boundary between two or more networks and keeps intruders out of private networks. Firewalls serve as virtual barriers to passing packets from one network to another. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

inheritance

Generally, the ability of a newly created object to automatically have, or inherit, properties of an existing object. For example, a newly created child directory can inherit the access-control settings of the parent directory. A programming technique that duplicates the characteristics down a hierarchy from one class to another. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

instance

An object of a particular class. Each instance has its own private data elements or member variables. See segment instance. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

instantiate

To create an instance of an class. The process of creating or activating an object based on its class. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

Java applet

An HTML-based program built with Java that a browser temporarily downloads to the hard disk of a user, from which location it runs when the Web page is open. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

JavaBeans

An object-oriented programming interface from Sun Microsystems that enables you to build reusable applications.

JavaServer Pages (JSP)

A technology for controlling the content and look of Web pages through the use of a servlet (for example, rcaster_list.jsp).

JavaScript

A scripting language that evolved from Netscape's LiveScript language and was made more compatible with Java. It uses an HTML page as its interface. See script. (Source: Microsoft online glossary).

Library Access List

Defines the users and groups that are allowed to view the output of specified schedules distributed to the Report Library. Once the Access List is created, it can be used as often as needed. Each Access List is created as a private list that is known only by ReportCaster Administrators and the user who created it.

Managed Reporting Domain

Domains are the highest level of organization. Domains provide data on a particular topic (such as sales, inventory, or personnel). The data is stored in different forms in the following domain components: predefined reports (Standard Reports), data sources used to create reports (Reporting Objects), and reports created and saved by users (My Reports, Custom Reports, and Shared Reports).

method

A group of programming statements that perform a specific task (for example, getScheduleListHandler). Provides the means by which a user or application can utilize the services of an object. The methods available for an object are defined by the interface of the object.

My Reports

A My Report is a personal report you save while working in a domain. Once you access a Reporting Object and create a report, you can save the report as a My Report. Once saved, you can run or edit these reports. No other user has access to your reports.

objects

The building blocks of object-oriented programming, an object is a self-contained module of data and its associated processes.

owner

The originator of a schedule. The owner has special security privileges, and is the only user, along with the administrator, to have access to a schedule if security is set to private.

package

A group of related classes and subpackages.

Procedure

A set of related control statements that cause one or more programs to be performed.

properties

Attributes of a method that affect object processing (for example, IBIB_scheduleid).

Report Library

An optional ReportCaster product that enables you to store and manage content distributed by ReportCaster for rapid retrieval and future use.

ReportCaster API

The ReportCaster Bean and Web Services API includes full scheduling, log, Address Book, and Report Library capability for self-service users. The ReportCaster Bean and Web Services API is fully upward compatible with the ReportCaster Bean, Servlet, and Subroutine APIs, and is partially backward compatible.

ReportCaster Console

A set of HTML pages and JavaServer Pages™ (JSP™) that enable ReportCaster Administrators to maintain and view schedule and log information, globally change values stored in the ReportCaster Repository, and manage the ReportCaster Distribution Server processing of schedules for execution.

Reporting Objects

A tailored view of a set of data that a Managed Reporting Administrator creates and saves to a group folder. The data contained in a Reporting Object is used to create personal reports quickly and in compliance with your company's reporting rules and guidelines.

Standard Report

A predefined procedure that an Administrator creates and stores in a group folder or subgroup folder. Standard Reports are used to retrieve data that changes on a regular basis, for example, monthly inventory reports or weekly sales reports. Each time you run a Standard Report the output reflects the most current data, while the format of the report remains constant.

servlets

Programs that run on a Web server that modify a Web page before it is sent to the user who requested it.

subroutines

A subset of C-based API functions that call a servlet. Subroutines are called from a procedure (FOCEXEC) on the WebFOCUS Reporting Server.

WebFOCUS Reporting Server

A server that processes a scheduled request, retrieves the data, and returns the report to the ReportCaster Distribution Server, which distributes the output.


WebFOCUS