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Subsections


10 Layout Engines

DataVision uses layout engines to generate different output formats. A layout engine is responsible for creating output when a report runs. That output may be a file, a window on a screen, or an interpretive dance2.

10.1 Available Layout Engines

The layout engines currently available are:

10.1.0.1 LaTeX

This layout engine produces a .tex file containing LATEX2e commands. These commands can be further processed to create a .dvi file containing device independent display commands. Many different programs are available to display this file, print it, or turn this file into PDF, HTML, text, PostScript, and more.

10.1.0.2 XML

The XML layout engine produces- surprise-XML. Aside from being buzzword of the month, XML is a useful text-based data format.

10.1.0.3 DocBook

This engine produces a DocBook document with a .sgml file name extension.

10.1.0.4 HTML

The HTML layout engine produces an HTML file. It contains a single table that displays the report data.

10.1.0.5 Tab- and comma-delimited

Generates either tab- or comma-delimited ASCII data files. Comma-delimited files usually use a .csv suffix; tab-delimited files often use .txt or .tab.

10.1.0.6 Java Swing

This layout engine does not produce a file. Rather, it displays the results of the report in a GUI window. This is the layout engine used when you select Run Report... from the Report menu.

10.2 Creating a New Layout Engine

UTSL3. The best documentation for creating a layout engine is the Java API documentation for the LayoutEngine class and the source code for the other layout engines.



Footnotes

... dance2
Not yet implemented.
...UTSL3
Use The Source, Luke.

next up previous contents
Next: 11 Understanding Report XML Up: DataVision version 0.2.0 Previous: 9 The DataVision User   Contents
Jim Menard 2002-04-18