report generator

report generator

[ri′pȯrt ‚jen·ə‚rād·ər]

(computer science)

A routine which produces a complete data-processing report, given only a description of the desired content and format, plus certain information concerning the input file. Also known as report writer.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

report writer

Software that prints a report based on a description of its layout. As a stand-alone program or part of a file or database management system, it can sort selected records into a new sequence for printing. It may also support the printing of mailing labels. Once created, the report description is stored in a file for future use.

Reports Are Defined
A report is created by defining which data fields are placed into which print columns and entering text for the page headers. Key fields and numeric fields are selected for subtotals and totals. Whenever there is a change of data in the key field, a subtotal of the numeric data is printed, and a total is printed at the end of the report. Although there is no real programming required, mathematical expressions are often used; for example COLUMN 1 = FIELD A + FIELD B.

Developed in the early 1970s, report writers, also called "report generators," were the precursor to query languages. They were the first programs to generate computer output without having to be programmed.

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.