Why use Variables in CR XI?

Post Author: jonnohudski
CA Forum: Formula
I have just finished a week of Crystal Reports training with my Companies prefered training provider and had a question that the instructor (and his whole company apparently) could not answer.
I simply asked why would someone use a Variable on a report, instead of a Function, which seems to do pretty much the same thing, only easier.
Personally, I assumed there was some clever functionallity that could only be achieved by using variables and I just wanted a real world example.
Can anyone suggest a reason for it? I have searched all the resources available to me and cannot find a reasonable answer.
If you know and have a real world example, could you explain it?
Cheers.
John.

Post Author: SKodidine
CA Forum: Formula
I hope they mentioned manual running totals and passing data between the main and sub reports.
Variables hold data be it local, global or shared. Functions usually behind the scenes calculate and give you the result.
Since you are new to CR, check out the sample reports to see how variables are used and how functions always do not fit the bill.
Let's say for example, I have a report that lists all companies that we do business with, that have branch offices all over US/Canada. The report only displays branches that have gross sales over $1m. I use group selection formula to suppress all branch groups whose gross is less. This translates to suppressed records in the report. With suppressed records you cannot use Running Totals as it will tally the suppressed records as well. In this case you will have to use a manual running total, which means using formulae i.e. variables to count each record that meets the conditions and tally.
Sharing information between the main and subreports is another area where 'shared' variables are used extensively.
Once you start working with CR you will gain better understanding about variables and functions. Get cracking !!!

Similar Messages

What are Parameters? How are they differenet from Variables? Why can't we use variables for passing data from one sequnece to another? What is the advantage of using Parameters instead of Variables?

Hi All,
I am new to TestStand. Still in the process of learning it.
What are Parameters? How are they differenet from Variables? Why can't we use variables for passing data from one sequnece to another? What is the advantage of using Parameters instead of Variables?
Thanks in advance,
LaVIEWan
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi,
Using the Parameters is the correct method to pass data into and out of a sub sequence. You assign your data to be passed into or out of a Sequence when you are in the Edit Sequence Call dialog and in the Sequence Parameter list.
Regards
Ray Farmer

Why we use variables what are the advantages of variables

hi
can u tell me why we use variables and where we use variables
ashwin

hi Ashwin!
Variable are used for providing the parameters for a query at real time. that means we can dynamicall specify some what exalty the query should display in the query for example we can use a variable on the charectersitic like country so that we can decide the contents of the query to will be relavent to the countries we specified.
Advantages of using the varibles in a query are
1) we can build a single query which can be used by all. Ex:we can generate a report for all the customers seperatly by using a single query and just by changing the value in the variable at runtime
2) if we use the processing type authorization for a variable. We can limit the user from accessing the information which he is not authorised to see in the report. This will also make us personalize the query based on the user who is accessing the report.
Sap help on overview and usage and the types are given in the following link:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/0a56a7e09411d2acb90000e829fbfe/frameset.htm
hope it helps.
with regars
Ashwin
PS:
(Rewarding points to the posted answers to your questions is a way of saying thanks in SDN forums)

Reciever File Adapter - Temp File Name Scheme using Variable Substitution

How can I create a temporary file that uses variable substitution?
We are having a problem with files merging when we write files using the "Use Temporary File" setting on the FIle Adapter. So two independent files are merging into a single file. We are not using the "Append" setting.
We would like to use a Temp File Name Scheme that would append the message id onto the temporary file name.
Using variable substitution we created a msgid variable. When added to the temporary file name using %msgid% the temporary file name is created with %msgid% in the name instead of the actual message id. We put the variable into the "File Name Scheme" as well and the end completed file used the message id in the name.
Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Matt

HI Matthew,
Why are you adding the message id into the temporary file??
I understand that you want the output of the filename to contain message id .. and hence you are using variable substitution for the same.
Temporary file name will anyways get overwritten by the actual file name (here the actual filename will be using variable substituion).
So i suggest to achieve your scenario you can add any name in the temporary file and maintain the desired filename you require as output in the variable subsititution.
Temporary File Name option actually acts as a lock - unlock mechanism from PI side while the file is getting written to the file server so that while PI is writting the file no third party application batch program picks it up.
I hope this helps.
Cheers
Dhwani

Retrieve the message put in message header using variable substitution

hi,
i am using dynamic configuration to put some information in the message header.is it possible to retrieve the message using variable substitution and if it is possible then how it be done using variable substitution.
regards,
Meenakshi

Variable Substitution does not allow you to read all the messaeg header elements only some of them can be read/ access....for more info on how to read the message header elements refer: /people/jin.shin/blog/2007/04/27/sap-netweaver-xi-variable-substitution-with-adapter-specific-message-attributes-via-dynamicconfigurationbean
From the above blog:
When using Variable Substitution, only certain standard message header attributes can be used/accessed (e.g. sender_party,
sender_service, receiver_party, receiver_service, interface_name, interface_namespace, message_id)
Better use Dynamic Configuration to read the parameters.
I am wondering why you need to read the message header parameters when you are putting them using Dynamic Configuration.....cant you just get the details from the dynamic configuration UDF itself?
Regards,
Abhishek.
Edited by: abhishek salvi on Dec 10, 2009 1:18 PM

Using Variable in Web.xml/ Override value in web.xml

Environment : JBOSS 4.2 / Web application in java/jsp
*==============================================================*
Iam using a servelet in application, and paremeters is configured in web.xml at run time I need to change the value. A variable
see web.xml
{color:#ff0000}<param-value>C:/FILE_ATTACHMENTS{color}</param-value>
Instead of using a static folder name I need to use a variable, this veriable either i define in config.properties or ineed to pass through application
Web.Xml file
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<web-app id="WebApp_ID" version="2.4" xmlns="[http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/j2ee]" xmlns:xsi="[http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance]" xsi:schemaLocation="[http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/j2ee] [http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/j2ee/web-app_2_4.xsd]">
<display-name>VyasaWeb</display-name>
<servlet>
<servlet-name>VyasaServlet</servlet-name>
<servlet-class>com.jsos.download.VyasaServlet</servlet-class>
<init-param>
<param-name>dir</param-name>
param-value>C:/FILE_ATTACHMENTS</param-value>
</init-param>
</servlet>
<servlet-mapping>
<servlet-name>VyasaServlet</servlet-name>
<url-pattern>/servlet/VyasaServlet</url-pattern>
</servlet-mapping>
</web-app>
Is any way to use variable in web.xml or override the value ?
Please help
Vince
Edited by: VINCEJOHNSON on Jul 30, 2010 3:30 PM

If nothing else, why not just have your servlet load a configuration file on startup?

Why use go:title etc...

I've just seen this in the meta data of a website:
<meta property="og:title" content="foobar...
There's loads of them… go:description… go:audio… go:keywords… and so on
Apparently it's to do with open graph and Facebook which I don't fully understand, but why use it and what are the advantages? I've googled it, but I'm finding little ore than what I already mentioned. Just wondering if anybody here knew a little more detail than the info I've found.
Thanks.
Mat

From this page - Facebook Content Sharing Best Practices
I read:
Use proper Open Graph tags
Open Graph tags are included in your page’s HTML and allow the Facebook Crawler to generate previews when your content is shared on Facebook.
We give examples below, but the basic Open Graph tags you should implement are:
og:title – The title of your article, excluding any branding.
og:site_name - The name of your website. Not the URL, but the name. (i.e. "IMDb" not "imdb.com".)
og:url – This URL serves as the unique identifier for your post. It should match your canonical URL used for SEO, and it should not include any session variables, user identifying parameters, or counters. If you use this improperly, likes and shares will not be aggregated for this URL and will be spread across all of the variations of the URL.
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Why use customized / particular exceptions instead java.lang.Exception

Hi,
Do any of you guys know where can I find a theorical statement / explanation about why use particular / customized exceptions instead java.lang.Exception? I am aware that it consumes more resources and becomes a heavier object, as well as the clearness when coding and all that stuff; however, my boss wants to see a tech document where all this is clearly stated. Any resource over there?
Regards

It is better to throw specific--or at least module- or
package-specific--excpetions, rather than Exception,
because then the caller knows what to expect. However,
if you declare "throws Exception", the caller can
still catch IOException, SQLException, etc.,
separately. He'll just have to be a really good
guesser as to which ones he should catch.True.
Also, there's no point in declaring "throws
NullPointerException." Any method can throw it without
declaring it. If you generate your own NPE (or other
unchecked exception) inside the method, then you
should document it in the javadoc comments, but you
don't need to put it in the throws clause. It doesn't
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I'm assuming overhead caused by extending classes.At
the worst, it would be miniscule, or so I wouldthink.
What overhead is created by extending classes?Hmm, I was under the impression that a class the extended another class, inherited all of the other classes data (variables, etc.). Hence, you get something like this:
SuperClass1 + SubClass1 + SubClassOfSubcCass1 = Memory usuage for SubClassOfSubClass1.
Since adding postivie number will always end up increasing data, SubClassOfSubClass1 will use more dtat than SuperClass1.
Am I wrong?

Using Variables in a "Report Custom Functions"

Hi!
I created a custom function using Basic Syntax where I am trying to declare/use variables. I keep getting syntax errors and don't know why. Here is my code so far:
Function cdQSIPeriod () As String
YY = Year(CurrentDate)
MM = Month(CurrentDate)
If MM = 1 then
    MM = 12
    YY = YY - 1
else
    MM = MM - 1
cdQSIPeriod = String(MM)& String(YY)
End Function
Any help you can provide will be appreciated.

You need to add
dim YY as number
dim MM as number
HTH,
Carl

How to use @variable(bouser) in Universe to get BOE userid in Xcelsius

Dear Expert,
I have request that need to display BOE userid to displayed in Dashboard using Xcelsius,
after searching in Internet, i found that it can be done by using @variable(bouser) in an object in the Universe, and use the object in Qaaws, but i don't how to use it.
already tried insert /* @variable('BOUSER') */ in END_SQL universe parameter, but still no luck.
my question is :
how to use @variable(bouser) in universe? and then my Xcelsius can display the BOE userid?
thanks in advance for any answer.
I Using SAP Integration KIT to create universe from Query BEX
Luqman
Edited by: luqman hakim on Jun 29, 2010 4:03 PM

>
Didier Mazoue wrote:
> Hi,
>
> You are mentioning that you are using SAP Integration Kit.
> Does it mean that the source you are targeting is SAP BW?
>
> If it is the case, this is unfortunately not supported.
> SAP BW MDX does not support calculated expressions that return string or date: this is a limitation of SAP BW engine.
> This is one of the reason why a lot of user exit are used to address these needs.
>
> Regards
> Didier
Didier Mazoue
yes, my Data source is SAP BW, and connected to BOE via SAP INT KIT.
It's too bad that SAP doesn't support so simple requirement.
you said : user exit
are used to address these needs.
so there are possibility to solve my problem.
would you give me the logic of user exit? which part I should create the user exit
I'm quiet familiar with user exit in BW
thanks

Query runs slower when using variables & faster when using hard coded value

Hi,
My query runs slower when i use variables but it runs faster when i use hard coded values. Why it is behaving like this ?
My query is in cursor definition in a procedure. Procedure runs faster when using hard coded valus and slower when using variables.
Can anybody help me out there?
Thanks in advance.

Hi,
Thanks for ur reply.
here is my code with Variables:
Procedure populateCountryTrafficDetails(pWeekStartDate IN Date , pCountry IN d_geography.country_code%TYPE) is
startdate date;
AR_OrgId number(10);
Cursor cTraffic is
Select
          l.actual_date, nvl(o.city||o.zipcode,'Undefined') Site,
          g.country_code,d.customer_name, d.customer_number,t.contrno bcn,
          nvl(r.dest_level3,'Undefined'),
          Decode(p.Product_code,'820','821','821','821','801') Product_Code ,
          Decode(p.Product_code,'820','Colt Voice Connect','821','Colt Voice Connect','Colt Voice Line') DProduct,
          sum(f.duration),
          sum(f.debamount_eur)
          from d_calendar_date l,
          d_geography g,
          d_customer d, d_contract t, d_subscriber s,
          d_retail_dest r, d_product p,
          CPS_ORDER_DETAILS o,
          f_retail_revenue f
          where
          l.date_key = f.call_date_key and
          g.geography_key = f.geography_key and
          r.dest_key = f.dest_key and
          p.product_key = f.product_key and
          --c.customer_key = f.customer_key and
          d.customer_key = f.customer_key and
          t.contract_key = f.contract_key and
          s.SUBSCRIBER_KEY = f.SUBSCRIBER_KEY and
          o.org_id(+) = AR_OrgId and
          g.country_code = pCountry and
          l.actual_date >= startdate and
          l.actual_date <= (startdate + 90) and
          o.cli(+) = s.area_subno and
          p.product_code in ('800','801','802','804','820','821')
          group by
          l.actual_date,
          o.city||o.zipcode, g.country_code,d.customer_name, d.customer_number,t.contrno,r.dest_level3, p.product_code;
Type CountryTabType is Table of country_traffic_details.Country%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type CallDateTabType is Table of country_traffic_details.CALL_DATE%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type CustomerNameTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Customer_name%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type CustomerNumberTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Customer_number%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type BcnTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Bcn%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type DestinationTypeTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.DESTINATION_TYPE%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type ProductCodeTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Product_Code%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type ProductTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Product%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type DurationTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Duration%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type DebamounteurTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.DEBAMOUNTEUR%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
Type SiteTabType is Table of Country_traffic_details.Site%Type index by BINARY_INTEGER;
CountryArr CountryTabType;
CallDateArr CallDateTabType;
Customer_NameArr CustomerNameTabType;
CustomerNumberArr CustomerNumberTabType;
BCNArr BCNTabType;
DESTINATION_TYPEArr DESTINATIONTYPETabType;
PRODUCT_CODEArr PRODUCTCODETabType;
PRODUCTArr PRODUCTTabType;
DurationArr DurationTabType;
DebamounteurArr DebamounteurTabType;
SiteArr SiteTabType;
Begin
     startdate := (trunc(pWeekStartDate) + 6) - 90;
     Exe_Pos := 1;
     Execute Immediate 'Truncate table country_traffic_details';
     dropIndexes('country_traffic_details');
     Exe_Pos := 2;
     /* Set org ID's as per AR */
     case (pCountry)
     when 'FR' then AR_OrgId := 81;
     when 'AT' then AR_OrgId := 125;
     when 'CH' then AR_OrgId := 126;
     when 'DE' then AR_OrgId := 127;
     when 'ES' then AR_OrgId := 123;
     when 'IT' then AR_OrgId := 122;
     when 'PT' then AR_OrgId := 124;
     when 'BE' then AR_OrgId := 132;
     when 'IE' then AR_OrgId := 128;
     when 'DK' then AR_OrgId := 133;
     when 'NL' then AR_OrgId := 129;
     when 'SE' then AR_OrgId := 130;
     when 'UK' then AR_OrgId := 131;
     else raise_application_error (-20003, 'No such Country Code Exists.');
     end case;
     Exe_Pos := 3;
dbms_output.put_line('3: '||to_char(sysdate, 'HH24:MI:SS'));
     populateOrderDetails(AR_OrgId);
dbms_output.put_line('4: '||to_char(sysdate, 'HH24:MI:SS'));
     Exe_Pos := 4;
     Open cTraffic;
     Loop
     Exe_Pos := 5;
     CallDateArr.delete;
FETCH cTraffic BULK COLLECT
          INTO CallDateArr, SiteArr, CountryArr, Customer_NameArr,CustomerNumberArr,
          BCNArr,DESTINATION_TYPEArr,PRODUCT_CODEArr, PRODUCTArr, DurationArr, DebamounteurArr LIMIT arraySize;
          EXIT WHEN CallDateArr.first IS NULL;
               Exe_pos := 6;
                    FORALL i IN 1..callDateArr.last
                    insert into country_traffic_details
                    values(CallDateArr(i), CountryArr(i), Customer_NameArr(i),CustomerNumberArr(i),
                    BCNArr(i),DESTINATION_TYPEArr(i),PRODUCT_CODEArr(i), PRODUCTArr(i), DurationArr(i),
                    DebamounteurArr(i), SiteArr(i));
                    Exe_pos := 7;
dbms_output.put_line('7: '||to_char(sysdate, 'HH24:MI:SS'));
     EXIT WHEN ctraffic%NOTFOUND;
END LOOP;
     commit;
Exe_Pos := 8;
          commit;
dbms_output.put_line('8: '||to_char(sysdate, 'HH24:MI:SS'));
          lSql := 'CREATE INDEX COUNTRY_TRAFFIC_DETAILS_CUSTNO ON country_traffic_details (CUSTOMER_NUMBER)';
          execDDl(lSql);
          lSql := 'CREATE INDEX COUNTRY_TRAFFIC_DETAILS_BCN ON country_traffic_details (BCN)';
          execDDl(lSql);
          lSql := 'CREATE INDEX COUNTRY_TRAFFIC_DETAILS_PRODCD ON country_traffic_details (PRODUCT_CODE)';
          execDDl(lSql);
          lSql := 'CREATE INDEX COUNTRY_TRAFFIC_DETAILS_SITE ON country_traffic_details (SITE)';
          execDDl(lSql);
          lSql := 'CREATE INDEX COUNTRY_TRAFFIC_DETAILS_DESTYP ON country_traffic_details (DESTINATION_TYPE)';
          execDDl(lSql);
          Exe_Pos:= 9;
dbms_output.put_line('9: '||to_char(sysdate, 'HH24:MI:SS'));
Exception
     When Others then
     raise_application_error(-20003, 'Error in populateCountryTrafficDetails at Position: '||Exe_Pos||' The Error is '||SQLERRM);
End populateCountryTrafficDetails;
In the above procedure if i substitute the values with hard coded values i.e. AR_orgid = 123 & pcountry = 'Austria' then it runs faster.
Please let me know why it is so ?
Thanks in advance.

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why trantient variables won't participate in serialization?
Reason Plz.
Static variables are not an instance variables so they don't participate
In which places transient ,statics are used
Help me
Byeeee

why trantient variables won't participate in serialization?
Reason Plz.
Because the key word transient says that they are not supposed to be
serialized .
-Lets say you have a Timer as a part of the class then it shoud be
declared as transient as Timer state need not be preserved but its
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1. Why do you have both posting period and fiscal year /period.?
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Ravi Thothadri
want to use this logic in in my manual planning layout. I am using the same logic for variable of type fiscalyearperiod. i did not face the same problem for fiscalyrperiod becoz it resets to 1.xxxx after it reaches 12.xxxx but variable on posting period goes on increasing.

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My idea was to create a variable and call it congrats. The variable as a sum of zero. Is it possible for me to add a numerical value to that variable each time a person chooses one of the buttons?
For example:
I wanted to add 10 to the variable if you choose the right answer. I wanted to give the incorrect answers a value of -5. In other words. You could either end up with 10 points on a slide if you choose the correct answer or 0 points if you choose the 2 incorrect answers and the correct answer, or 5 points if you choose a incorrect and correct answer.
At the end, I would like you come to a slide. this slide will be based on the value of that variable at the end. Either you have a 100 or lower depending on how you did.
I hope this isn't too confusing.
Any and all help is appreciated.
Thanks!

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I have a lot of stuff on my blog about that type of scoring. Besides question slides, only interactive objects can have a score, everything you can find in the Advanced Interaction panel (F9). Here are some articles I wrote:
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Report Custom Questions - part 2 - Captivate blog

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I'd really like to know why using SWFObject 2 to embed my Flex SWF files is superior to using the html file generated by Flex Builder 3. I will admit that I'm not a real hot-shot HTML/JS coder but as far as I can see there is little to recommend SWFObject 2.
All thoughts and options welcome.

By the way, here's what your HTML Template file might look like with SWFObject:

<html lang="en">
<head>
   <title>${title}</title>
   <style>
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</head>
<body scroll="no">
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      <p>Alternative content</p>
    </div>
</body>
</html>
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Ben Edwards

Why use Variables in CR XI?

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