Validating Input Parameter Against Database Value

easothomas

Hi

In my report, I need the user to enter a parameter, which happens to be a table name, which is in turn, present in a database table.


For example, assume I have to generate reports for different type of cars viz. BMW, AUDI, BENZ, PORSCHE.
I have a default metadata table called "CARS" which will have the entries


CARS_ID CAR_TABLE_NAME

---

---

1 BMW
2 AUDI
3 BENZ
4 PORSCHE
--

---

My Customers/users can add any number of entries here which is not in my control. I expect that a table with name mentioned in CAR_TABLE_NAME be present in the database with a schema I specified.

So in this case, I expect BMW, AUDI, BENZ and PORSCHE tables to be present in the database.

The user will be entering one of the names as the parameter and I need to validate whether the entered value is actually present in the CARS table. If it is present there, then I need to check whether if the table exists in the database and then carry on my operation. These I do it via db queries.


But how will I actually test it when I am running the report via the command prompt. If I don't validate first, then I will be running a query like

"select * from VOLKSWAGEN"

which will throw me a "SQL statement does not return a ResultSet object." Exception

---- Can I query the database directly without creating a dataset?
---- Can I create a dataset and then invoke it directly/without the help of a table

please help.

thanks

averma

Hi easothomas,
You can use scripting in your BIRT report to add a database table validation check, here is an example for validation of date parameter that you can learn from:
http://www.birt-exchange.org/org/devshare/designing-birt-reports/1297-date-validation/

You can also dynamically add a data set to a report using scripting, here is an example:
http://www.birt-exchange.org/org/devshare/interactive-reporting/1317-using-the-deapi-to-dynamically-add-a-data-set/

To invoke the dataset you will need to use it in your report, probably a table element and hide it if you dont want to show this.

Ashwini