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Reports in VB 6.0 with Proprietary files

I have an app that use proprietry file formats so it does not connect to a database. I used the format:

TaMainLineBuffer = Input$(Len(CurrEval), #fileno)

to read the files into a UDT and then manipulate the fields.

To write the files I use:

Print #OutputFileNo, savebuffe)

The tables are .txt files with data in the files stored in encrypted format.

My user has requested more elaborate reports from the application. Up to this point we have been using 'PrintForm' to generate hard copy output.

All that I have seen about the VB report generator include the first step up setting up a data environment. Once the data environment is established the 'report generator' can be used. Is it possible to set up a data environment using these proprietary file formats? If not what are my options for creating reports.? I know that I can create custom forms in the format of the printed output and still resort to using 'Printform' for send them to hard copy but I was looking for a better option. The existing forms are very involved and the idea of duplicating them (with certain changes) for print is not very appealing.

This app is distributed to the client as an .EXE so any report writing would have to work in that context. I would not have a valid license, not does the client wish to purchase one for any external report writers (Crystal etc...)

I don't think that I have many options here but that is why I am asking the experts.

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gimmeadrink

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mlcktmguy

ASKER

Thanks for the feedback. I just read your comment and have not had a chance to try it. I noticed that you had an example generating graphs using MSchart. I would be most interested in that example also. One of the long term goals of the users is the ability to create grahical output from this system.

Thanks again.

gimmeadrink

ok, ill try and dig it up sometime today

let me know how the report stuff goes

mlcktmguy

ASKER

gimmeadrink,
The report stuff went fine. I have a lot to learn about the report writer. Do you know of any links to help with tha? Your answer is exactly what I was looking for and I'm going to award you the points. I am still very interested in generating graphical chart output using mschart. If you can find those examples I would be most appreciative.

Thanks

gimmeadrink

Hi,

Sorry I have not got back to you yet, been doing 19 hour days at work in the last couple of days and havnt found a lot of time... it might not be until the weekend that i dig it up. If i dont respond, just keep on bugging me with messages... it works when i do it to other ppl, so i imagine it will work on me too ;)

Thanks for the points and the A, glad i could help so far.

mlcktmguy

ASKER

Any luck with the mschart examples?

gimmeadrink

i will have a look now..... got a day off :D

gimmeadrink

Okay, this example may be a bit more complex than you need, but im sure u can get the jist of it and apply it with your own data....

' some globals that are relevant
Dim arrData(6, 1 To 3) As Variant
Dim arrTrans(6) As Boolean
Dim dayData(7, 1 To 19) As Variant

' initialisation of the arrays....

Public Sub InitiateDataValues()
' PRE: arrData has been instantiated
' POST: arrData will have chart information

arrData(1, 1) = "F. Disp."
arrData(2, 1) = "F. Vel."
arrData(3, 1) = "F. Acc."
arrData(4, 1) = "E. Disp."
arrData(5, 1) = "E. Vel."
arrData(6, 1) = "E. Acc."

arrData(1, 2) = 0
arrData(2, 2) = 0
arrData(3, 2) = 0
arrData(4, 2) = 0
arrData(5, 2) = 0
arrData(6, 2) = 0

arrData(1, 3) = 0
arrData(2, 3) = 0
arrData(3, 3) = 0
arrData(4, 3) = 0
arrData(5, 3) = 0
arrData(6, 3) = 0

dayData(1, 1) = "Day 1"
dayData(2, 1) = "Day 2"
dayData(3, 1) = "Day 3"
dayData(4, 1) = "Day 4"
dayData(5, 1) = "Day 5"
dayData(6, 1) = "Day 6"
dayData(7, 1) = "Day 7"

Dim j As Integer
Dim i As Integer

For i = 1 To 7
For j = 2 To 19
dayData(i, j) = 0
Next
Next
End Sub

''''''''''''''''''''
'The sub that formats the chart based on data....

Public Sub LineChart(chart As MSChart, arrayOfData() As Variant, arrayOfTransgressions() As Boolean, Optional data2 As Boolean = False, Optional data3 As Boolean = False, Optional numberOfDays As Integer = 7)

' PRE: To Do
' when numberOfComparisons is 0 there is only one set of data
' data2 and data3 are true iff chkCompare2 and chkCompare3 are true respectively
' POST: To Do
' Generates the data for the Days-Graph (Tab 2-1) then needs to be tidied. (Tidy Chart sub)

Dim Data() As Variant
Dim numberOfComparisons As Integer
Dim countOrig As Integer
Dim countNew As Integer
countNew = 0
For countOrig = 1 To 6
If arrayOfTransgressions(countOrig) = True Then
countNew = countNew + 1
End If
Next
numberOfComparisons = 1
If data2 Then
numberOfComparisons = numberOfComparisons + 1
End If
If data3 Then
numberOfComparisons = numberOfComparisons + 1
End If
If countNew = 0 Then
' abort, there should not be any graph displayed
chart.Visible = False
txtChart2.Visible = True
Exit Sub
Else
' make sure that the graph is visible
chart.Visible = True
txtChart2.Visible = False
End If

With chart
.chartType = VtChChartType2dLine

ReDim Data(numberOfDays, numberOfComparisons * countNew + 1)
Dim totalCount As Integer
totalCount = countNew
.ShowLegend = False

Dim dayNumber As Integer
For dayNumber = 1 To numberOfDays
' Do Day names first
Data(dayNumber, 1) = arrayOfData(dayNumber, 1)
countNew = 0
For countOrig = 1 To 6
If arrayOfTransgressions(countOrig) = True Then
countNew = countNew + 1
Data(dayNumber, 1 + countNew) = arrayOfData(dayNumber, 1 + countOrig)
If data2 Then
Data(dayNumber, 1 + countNew + totalCount) = arrayOfData(dayNumber, 7 + countOrig)
End If
If data3 Then
If data2 Then
Data(dayNumber, 1 + countNew + totalCount * 2) = arrayOfData(dayNumber, 13 + countOrig)
Else
Data(dayNumber, 1 + countNew + totalCount) = arrayOfData(dayNumber, 13 + countOrig)
End If
End If

End If
Next
Next

.ChartData = Data
.RowCount = numberOfDays
.ColumnCount = numberOfComparisons * countNew
.Refresh
End With

End Sub

' This is how it was called....
LineChart chtDay, dayData, arrTrans, chkCompare2 = 1, chkCompare3 = 1, CInt(cmbNumDays1)

----------------------------------------
You can pretty much strip the arrayOfTransgressions stuff... its not important for you.

The key part for you is to the end of the WITH area...

.ChartData = Data
.RowCount = numberOfDays
.ColumnCount = numberOfComparisons * countNew
.Refresh

you just need a multidimensional array of data
set the rows and counlns
and refresh

Just let me know if its a bit confusing, i just thought i would rather use a working example than strip something out only to stuff it up.

Cheers,

Todd.