Creating a Dynamic Distribution List

A Dynamic Distribution List enables you to return in memory either a list of burst values and destinations, or only a list of destinations from a data source (for example, a flat file, SQL database, TIBCO FOCUS® data source, or LDAP). You must code a WebFOCUS procedure (FOCEXEC) that is available to the path of the server defined in either the server profile (edasprof.prf) or the user profile. The procedure must return the distribution information (using the PCHOLD command) with the data in a specific layout that you define. This layout must contain specific values and destinations so that ReportCaster can identify and process the information returned.

As an option, you can include a password in a Dynamic Distribution List. If you include a password in a Dynamic Distribution List, it is used to encrypt the distribution output in a password protected Zip file if the Zip option is selected. This option is only available if the ReportCaster Server Configuration option, Zip Encryption Password Plug-in, is set to None. When the ReportCaster Server Configuration option, Zip Encryption Password Plugin, is set to Default or to a custom value, then passwords in a Dynamic Distribution List are ignored because the plug-in provides passwords.

Note: There is no limit on the number of burst values you can specify in a Dynamic Distribution List.

Example: Creating a Dynamic Distribution List

The following is a sample Master File for email distribution information located in a text file. 

FILE=MYADDR,SUFFIX=FIX
SEGNAME=SEG01,SEGTYPE=S02
FIELDNAME=BURST_VALUE,BURST,A50,A50,$
FIELDNAME=EMAIL_ADDRESS,EMAIL,A40,A40,$

The following is a sample procedure for bursting. The column names and the order in which they are returned must be 'VALUE' and then 'DEST'. 

SET ASNAMES=ON
TABLE FILE MYADDR
PRINT BURST_VALUE AS 'VALUE'
EMAIL_ADDRESS AS 'DEST'
ON TABLE PCHOLD
END

The following is a sample procedure for non-bursting. In this case, the 'VALUE' column does not need to be provided since a burst value is not required. 

SET ASNAMES=ON
TABLE FILE MYADDR
PRINT EMAIL_ADDRESS AS 'DEST'
ON TABLE PCHOLD
END

Note: If the column names are not VALUE and DEST in the Master File, you must add a SET ASNAMES=ON qualifier before the TABLE FILE statement in the procedure.

The following is an example of how you can implement password protection of zipped distribution. The following Master File contains a password for zipped distribution. 

FILE=MYADDR,SUFFIX=FIX
SEGNAME=SEG01,SEGTYPE=S02
FIELDNAME=BURST_VALUE,BURST,A50,A50,$
FIELDNAME=EMAIL_ADDRESS,EMAIL,A40,A40,$
FIELDNAME=PASSWORD,PWD,A12,A12,$

The following sample procedure includes a password column along with the destination and burst value columns. 

SET ASNAMES=ON
TABLE FILE MYADDR
PRINT BURST_VALUE AS 'VALUE'
EMAIL_ADDRESS AS 'DEST'
PASSWORD AS 'PASS'
ON TABLE PCHOLD
END

Note: In the Allowed Email Domains and Addresses dialog box in the ReportCaster Console, if the Restrict user input with this list check box has been selected, user input of email addresses is restricted to a list of allowed email domains and addresses. For more information, see Validating Allowed Email Domains and Addresses..