Print and Report WYSIVIG Editor plugin

[Martin V]

Hello,
I'd like to make my own (maybe, there will be need of editting core code, but I would like to evade this - don't know yet) plugin to add functionality which allow users to create reports and printing templates in more comfortable way. It should be sth like WYSIVIG editor. So I'm now observing iDempiere system and playing with it. But as I'm new, I'm still lost and confused. I followed report customization tutorial from Adempiere book: Bayu Cahya Pamungkas, ADempiere 3.4 ERP Solutions, to try possibilitied of own customization. But unfortunately it's not up to date so I failed to achieve what was written there.

I also gone through:
ERPSoftware.pdf                              REDHUAN D., E R P  S O F T W A R E ENGINEERING   (http://sourceforge.net/projects/red1/files/ADempiere%20PDFs/)
AssetMaintenance-iDempiere.pdf
Some OSGi tutorials
I gone through Plugin development tutorials at wiki page.

Now I deciding how to reach the goal. I see 3 ways:

1. Change of IDempiere reporting from inside (i.e. totally change structure of treating and creating reports - imho the most difficult way)
2. Using Jasper (i.e. the editor will produce jasper files and register it in iDempiere - but there will be still strong restriction on what current iDempiere can do - user won't have option to change layout of the page, e.g. put logo on the top right corner and on the same level, on the left side have address)
3. Create totally new plugin alongside current reporting system:

It will be registered in menu like new functionality.
After choosing it will open Editor and user can make his own report layout sheet.
This will be saved in DB in own format (but I still think about jasper, I need to do more research about Jasper possibilities).
This new layout will be aded into menu and after opening it fetch data from DB and create report.


In Editor I'd like to let user choose which tables (views) will be used and let him set format (which columns to use, how to sort data). Here I see problem, how to restrict access to certain tables (system tables, salary table....).


I'd like to ask you for your opinions and for directing me to which part of system to focus (which classes are engaged in creating reports), and If you could please explain me the chain of creating reports?

[Thomas Bayen]

Hello,

what exactly is the goal you want to reach with your work?

You create an external (but integrated) and comfortable editor to make
nice output. What does your solution do that the combination of iReport
and iDempiere can't? In my opinion a better integration of iReport and a
rework of parts of the JadsperReports integration may solve most of the
problems.

You will make your life definitely much easier if you use one of the
existing solutions as a base of your work. I see no reason to reinvent
the wheel. JasperReports is very powerful in creating PDFs. It is just
that iReport is not as userfriendly and easy for small solutions. The
internal Reportgenerator is better for that. (If your focus is not on
PDF but on HTML you might have a look on BIRT but I think it is a bit
monstrous and there is no iDempiere integration yet. ;-) )

If you really want to spend hard work I see three areas:

* You could create an WYSIWYG-Editor for the internal generator to let
"normal users" create easy forms easy and fast.
* A second step might be a kind of transformer to generate a
JasperReport out of an PrintFormat. So a user can begin a prototype with
the easy internal reports and if he reaches the borders of this he can
go beyond that with iReport and JasperReports without beginning from
scratch. This helps more users to start with JasperReports.
* To better use JasperReports the integration can be enhanced. There are
some issues with external files (subreports, images, etc.) depending on
the way you save your report that should be solved to use very complex
Reports.

Personally I think about enhancements to the Jasper engine for some time
and I am very interested in this but I have no time to do it. Perhaps
next year I might join your efforts. :-)

Thomas

> <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ONw2ZSDTSAI/UodVpqSPCmI/AAAAAAAACxA/htgVAd4iAOw/s1600/report%2Bmenu.jpg>

--
Jakob Bayen KG, Bleichpfad 20-22, 47799 Krefeld
AG Krefeld HRA 416 Tel +49/2151/65 80 9-0

[Martin V]

Hello Thomas,

thank for your reply.

Exactly how you wrote. My main goal is to allow people without programming skills or without DB knowledge to make print layouts for reports and prints. So iReport is quite owerkill for this type of users. I´m not sure what do you think by "internal generator", but if you mean setting reporting through managing many of the windows, this is quite long and uncomfortable way too. The problem is not what it can´t produce but mainly how it is made.

Yes I´d like to evade reinventing the weel too, that is the reason why I posted this question. I think about wrapping jasper and producing jasper files. Or wrapping current way of reporting but just extend it of Graphic WYSIWYG editor.
Now I´m trying to analyze chain how reporting inside iDempiere works. But unfortunately I sill don´t have clear knowledge how to make reports and how it works inside iDempiere.

Thanks,
Martin

2013/11/21 Thomas Bayen <tba...@bayen.de>

[redhuan d. oon]

Hi Martin, i am sorry i did not read this until your professor Dr Walletzký told me about it. (You also need not post a new thread on this but just reply to this thread and it will bump to the top of the forum :) So here i am bumping it to the top. :) )
I wonder if u can make a short simple movie on your work and upload it to YouTube? It will make everyone see it very fast and able to give feedback right away.
Thank you very much (and i hope we can plan to meet in Czech as i am going to Germany, Paris and West Africa next week for two months.)

[norber...@multimageweb.com]

Hi Martin

my opinion is the follow:

iReport is a solution without limits but requiring SQL and other technical skills - including building and deploying report to the server. Against this i can quickly create invoice, shipment and other documents - in multiple languages. So both has own benefit for me.

I can imagine an Ideal scenario, where i can edit print form in list/detail view, but also i should edit form in visual editor, like:

    1. User creates a new print format - set view, and basic data like format...etc.

    2. Add some fields - from table

    3. Then click to visual editor - and opening a HTML5 editor. (as new tab) - supports: add new fields, drag and drop, copy fields..etc. specification required.)

    4. save form, print document.

This required to find the best graphical library (also this new lib should supports other scenarios too). For me Workflow editor is something similar with very basic feature.

i have attached a similar solution from an another ERP.

i don't prefer external editor other then iReport for  now.

hope helps.

norbert

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[norber...@multimageweb.com]

I forgot this important link: http://wiki.compiere.com/display/docs/Print+Format+Editor. Maybe you want to create this.

n

[Martin V]

Hello thanks for your reply right now Im out of Czech Republic till
20th of July.After this I could make the video and I´ll post it
here.If you let me know when and where in CR you will be, of course I
like to meet you.
Thank and by,
Martin

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[norber...@multimageweb.com]

Hi Martin. Any news on that ?

norbert

[Matīss Jēkabsons]

Hm.. really interesting project!
And i am willing to participiate as i can.

[Martin V]

Hello,
as I was away of computer I could'nt add this link.

The basics of ReportEditor is already done. You can see the result here:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/idempiere/reporteditor/idempiere/0nQruQ7hilk/SiXK6beTmrMJ

and I'd prefer to continue disscusion there. Unfortunately I don't have much time now but the video is comming soon (hopefully next week).

Martin



Dne pátek, 1. srpna 2014 14:54:57 UTC+2 Matīss Jēkabsons napsal(a):

[Martin V]

Hello red1,

do you know already when and where you're going to be in Czech Republic? Do you plan visitting faculty again?
I'm back in Czech so if that will be in the time I'm available, I don't want to miss it :)

Have a nice day,

Martin