ROC is a comprehensive Report output handling environment that you invoke for your entire application. You can also use ROC to access your system data files, printer backup files, and Extract files.
Report output might be considered as an extension of the data in your database. Your Reports transform your unformatted (or raw) database data into formatted data for output.
Report output is written to disk in an internal format for subsequent access. Multiple output requests can be created to instruct ROC to write a copy of the Report output to a nominated device (line printer, terminal printer, remote printer, video, or a disk data file).
As your Report produces output, each output Frame is written to a standard file or to the database, as you specify. Writing your Report output to a standard file reduces the level of database access, although Report header information is always written to the ROC structure in your database. Refer to Selecting ROC Output Storage Options for more information.
You can use the StnInfo logic command in your ROC Reports, to validate station or printer information, by retrieving details from the COMS CFILE file. This eliminates the need to store such validation details in your application. Refer to StnInfo logic command in the Agile Business Suite Programming Reference Manual for more information.
Report output is controlled by the ROC subsystem in the COMSTP program for your application. The formatted data is output device-independent, up to the point of executing the output request. Default device types and printer names can be associated with each of your Reports in logic, as summarized in the following table.
Note: The COMSTP program is not generated unless the System Uses ROC segment configuration property is set to True.
| If Report Logic … | Then Output Is … |
|---|---|
| Specifies a device type other than EX (Extract file) | Automatically printed, or terminal browsing is initiated (for VD device) |
| Does not specify a device type | Written to a file or the database, but is not printed until you enter the appropriate ROC command |
| Specifies Extract (EX) output | Written to a flat file, but is not printed until you browse for the file and then make the appropriate ROC selection |
| Specifies Direct (DI) output | Written directly to a Printer file to be printed by the system software |
ROC provides facilities for multiple users to view Report output (video browse), and to direct printing of your Report output to any destination.
There are special logic commands and built-in attributes to enable your Reports to interface with ROC.