Rpv includes a very convenient kind of file: RPX.
RPX format is a data format that, combined with an existing RPV format file will let you prepare reports with
variable number of pages and is able to handle large ammounts of data.
RPX or RPD? Which one is better? Which one shall I use?
First of all, the RPX format was added to the existing formats. RPD format is still available and it will be.
Second, they both are different. Each has its own application, even when they can be similar sometimes.
The main difference between the two formats is that RPX allows undefined number of pages for your report and the
format of the data can be variable. For RPD format, we have always a defined number of pages and the format of the report is always the same.
So, RPX is better and I shall use that?
There is no doubt that Rpx is the most important format. Rpd is an old format that was included in version 2.0 of Rpv Printing System. However, if you need to
prepare an invoice for example or a form that contains a predefined number of pages, Rpd can be a great option.
- Quicker development. Your program
will contain less code. ONLY THE NECESSARY to export the data to a delimited
file. By using templates, you can save more than 40% of the coding time.
- Programs more stable. Your programs
will be more stable because they will not be modified every time you need to
alter
the report. In most of cases, altering the template (external) will be enough.
- Programs easier to be understood by
others. What your program does it not to format the report. What your
program
does is to EXPORT THE DATA to a plain delimited file that will be formatted
later by the program according the parameters
given in the template.
Both, RPX and RPD have the same
advantage: you can modify your template without compiling your program and you
can "decide" when to show a field or not. This means that you may want to
include some data in your RPX/RPD file and after that you don't show it in the
final report.
See also:
The quickest guide for programmers II
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