Basic Report Run from a PL/SQL Procedure

Question

I am hosed trying to start a BI Publisher report from a PL/SQL procedure. Basically, I have a procedure with a local variable defined as an XMLType. I need to call an RTF source, pass the xmlfile in and tell the RTF Engine where to send the output.
The users guide implies that it involves calls to a Java program and I am totally ignorant of Java.
I have successfully linked the RTF source into the XML_Publisher application and previewed it against a known data set. hat works.
So, if I have a PL/SQL package with the local variable L_XML defined as XMLTYPE
and an output file L_OUTBUT defined as VARCHAR2(100), what do I use to call the RTF Processor and generate the report to the output file?
That is
declare
l_xml xmltype;
l_output varchar2(100);
begin
-- stuff to build the xml variable
-- insert the call to FTP Processor here Apparently, it should be
-- something like
package.procedure('linked_rtf file name', l_xml, l_output);
end;
If this calls a Java script, would also appreciate a sample copy of the script.
My need is desperate so any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Frank

Answer 1

I don't think you can. The parameters passed to a VB dll are formatted differently than a C dll, especially strings. I know a C program has to use special data structures when working with a VB dll, and this is basically what Oracle is doing.
It should be possible, however, to create a C dll that acts as a wrapper for the VB dll. I'm not sure this would save you anything, though. If you have to do that you may as well write the function in C.