How to Save a Set of Commands as a Qfile

What is a qfile? A qfile is a way to save a set of CA OLQ commands in a file.

What do you do with qfiles? You can execute a qfile to retrieve data from the database and create a report. The qfile formats the report the same way each time it is executed, but the data in the report changes to reflect the current data in the database.

Example

You could create a qfile that displays quarterly financial information. When you execute the routine at the end of each fiscal quarter, the report looks the same each time, but the financial information changes.

Creating and Executing the QUARTER Qfile:

Qfiles differ from other CA OLQ functions in that they:

Reflect the changing nature of data in the database
Retain any formatting enhancements you have made to your report
Re-execute any report calculations each time the qfile is executed

What You Want to Do	Which CA OLQ Function to Use	Formatting Retained?	Calculations Reexecuted?
Save the set of commands used to build a report	Qfile The report created by a qfile reflects the data that is in the database when the qfile is executed. The contents of the report change as the data changes.	Retained	Reexecuted each time the report is built
Save a copy of a report for later use	Saved report The report reflects the data as it was when the report was executed. The data doesn't change.	Retained	Executed at report definition
Create a table from your report	Saved table The table can later be used to create other reports, or it can be joined with other tables	Not retained	Retained as they are executed when the table is saved

What You Want to Do

Which CA OLQ Function to Use

Formatting Retained?

Calculations Reexecuted?

Save the set of commands used to build a report

Qfile

The report created by a qfile reflects the data that is in the database when the qfile is executed. The contents of the report change as the data changes.

Retained

Reexecuted each time the report is built

Save a copy of a report for later use

Saved report

The report reflects the data as it was when the report was executed. The data doesn't change.

Retained

Executed at report definition

Create a table from your report

Saved table

The table can later be used to create other reports, or it can be joined with other tables

Not retained

Retained as they are executed when the table is saved