The two reporting tools differ significantly from each other in approach, scope, and the type of activities you can perform. The functions common to both are specifying and sorting source data, adding breaks, and some derivation activities.
Use this tool to build a report by identifying and relating its contents. You must specify the data tables and you can also provide selection values. TIBCO Object Service Broker then generates a definition and a rule, using the provided values. For information on generating a report, refer to
Tasks to Generate a Report.
The Report Generator can provide a shortcut method to produce a report. The Report Generator automatically generates a report definition and a rule for provided values that can then be used as a base in the Report Definer.
Use this tool to define the formats of the report. The Report Definer is useful if you are concerned with the layout of the report and how you arrive at required values. Using the Report Definer, you build a shell for the report and then use a rule to populate it with values. For information on defining a report, refer to
Chapter 7, Using the Report Definer.
In the Report Generator the minimum you must provide is a report name, a data table name, and the name of a data field. The Report Generator provides the rest. In the Report Definer, all the reporting elements must be explicitly provided to run a report.
