DATATRIEVE-11 Guide to Writing Reports

This manual serves as a comprehensive guide for users to create and format reports using the DATATRIEVE-11 Report Writer. It outlines three main approaches to report generation: displaying data with the PRINT statement, producing summary totals with the SUM statement, and utilizing the full capabilities of the Report Writer for advanced design and output control.

The document details the process of defining a report's structure, including identifying data, invoking the Report Writer, and customizing page elements such as width, length, dates, page numbers, report titles, and column headers. It also provides instructions for correcting errors in report specifications and directing output to various devices like terminals, printers, or files.

Key advanced techniques covered include organizing data records into control groups for detailed or summary reporting, leveraging statistical functions (COUNT, AVERAGE, TOTAL, MAX, MIN) for data analysis, designing title pages and special page headings, performing cross-tabulations, and handling hierarchical records. Throughout the manual, practical examples are provided, often using sample datasets like YACHTS, PERSONNEL, and FAMILIES, to illustrate report creation and customization. Users can save their report specifications as DATATRIEVE procedures or command files for reusability.