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10 Layout Engines

DataVision uses layout engines to generate different output formats. A layout engine is responsible for creating output when a report runs. That output may be a file, a window on a screen, or an interpretive dance (Not yet implemented.).

10.1 Available Layout Engines

The layout engines currently available are:

LaTeX This layout engine produces a .tex file containing LaTeX2e commands. These commands can be further processed to create a .dvi file containing device independent display commands. Many different programs are available to display this file, print it, or turn this file into PDF, HTML, text, PostScript, and more.

XML The XML layout engine produces---surprise---XML. Aside from being buzzword of the month, XML is a useful text-based data format.

DocBook This engine produces a DocBook document with a .sgml file name extension.

HTML The HTML layout engine produces an HTML file. It contains a single table that displays the report data.

Tab- and comma-delimited Generates either tab- or comma-delimited ASCII data files. Comma-delimited file names usually use end with .csv; tab-delimited files often end with .txt or .tab.

Java Swing This layout engine does not produce a file. Rather, it displays the results of the report in a GUI window. This is the layout engine used when you select Run Report... from the Report menu.

10.2 Supported Features

This tables shows which layout engines support which features. "Y" = yes, "N" = no, "P" = partial support, "T" = text only (for example, an image's name instead of the image itself).

Name Images Borders Formatting Color
Swing Y N Y Y
XML T N N N
HTML Y N Y Y
Char Sep
(tab, comma)
N N N N
LaTeX N Y Y N
DocBook N N P N

10.3 Creating a New Layout Engine

UTSL (Use The Source, Luke). The best documentation for creating a layout engine is the Java API documentation for the LayoutEngine class and the source code for the other layout engines.


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