Generating Reports Procedurally › Formatting the Report › Formatting with Panels › Customer Inquiry: An Example

Customer Inquiry: An Example

The following example demonstrates using LIST to generate information on a preprinted form.

Assume that a panel named CUSTPNL was created that corresponds to the form. The panel definition input parameters do not specify error handling, value limitations, and so on, since there is no user interaction. The output parameters specify the necessary edit patterns. All fields are protected and, when testing, all fields display.

The following code generates a report for all customers in Texas.

<<CUST‑RPT>> PROCEDURE
    FOR FIRST CUSTOMER
        WHERE CUSTOMER.STATE EQ 'TX'
        MOVE CUSTOMER TO CUST‑INQ BY NAME
        LIST PANEL CUST‑INQ
        LIST NEWPAGE
    WHEN NONE
      LIST 'THERE ARE NO CUSTOMERS IN TEXAS ON FILE'
    ENDFOR
ENDPROC

While testing the program, you can view the output online to evaluate the report content quickly. You can print the output to verify the layout.

When the program is ready to be released to production, you can remove the headings and literals that simulate the preprinted form from the panel. If you want to maintain these literals for documentation or future updates, you can retain them by designating them as nonprint by specifying a field attribute of I (for invisible) on the Extended Field Definition fill‑in of the Panel Definition Facility.