Re: Selecting a batch reporting tool.

[hoffma@rpi.edu (Adam Hoffman)]

I have been working with SQR for several years and find it to be an
excellent product both for report development and system process development
since you can embed DDL and DML into it.  To address your areas of concern:

1.  With version 3.0 of the SQR Workbench, compiled reports are portable
across multiple platforms without having to re-compile.  I use SQR on UNIX
but I know they support several other platforms.  You can contact MITI for
further information.

2.  For a developer with SQL and 3GL experience, programming with SQR is
very easy and powerful.  It is a procedure oriented language and comes with
many functions to ease development such as array processing, dynamic
variables etc..
SQR Workbench comes with Easy SQR, which is more geared towards end-user
development.

3.  As stated in point 1, you can compile SQR routines and purchase seperate
runtime licenses for your various machines.

I have not used ORACLE Reports but have not heard great things about it.  I
hope this helps.

>I am in the process of evaluating batch reporting tools.  I am working
>with Powerbuilder and Oracle on multiple platforms (dos and unix).  I am
>looking for any information that may help in the selection process.  The
>two front runners are Oracle Reports and SQR.  I would appreciate any
>information that may help me in making my decision.  My three areas of
>concern are 1) Portability, 2) Ease of coding and maintianing, and 3)
>runtimes.  Thanks. 
>
>Steve Roberts
>
>
>

Adam Hoffman
Consultant
Still-Life With Systems Inc.
RPI Phone: (518) 276-3095
RPI Email: hoffma@rpi.edu