The following are the major new features of GQL V3.1:
Reports
Calculated Columns -- You can add a column containing a user-defined calculation to a report. The calculation can be based on information in the report (such as the values in a numeric column, subtotals, or grand totals). For example, you can include a column that shows the sum of the values in two columns in the report. If the query used to generate the report includes one or more prompts for a numeric value, the calculation can also be based on the value(s) specified for these prompts. You can also modify a calculated column.
Formats -- You can specify a range of formats for columns, subtotals, and grand totals. You can specify pre-defined numeric and date formats as well as insert or delete characters (for example, a code or punctuation) in a character, numeric, or date string. You can also substitute a single value for a range of values (for example, you can replace any value in a column that is less than 1000 with the word "Unsatisfactory") and assign a color to it for emphasis. This is useful for flagging exceptions.
Text Ornaments -- These can display the date, time, page number, total number of pages, and the name of the query to which the report has been saved. Pre-defined date formats are available to choose from. Text ornaments can also display the value specified in a prompt. This is useful when you wish to include an ornament that identifies the information on which the report is based (for example, "Sales in: California", where "California" is the value entered in the prompt).
Buttons and Ornaments
Automatic Borders and Sizing -- Buttons automatically include a border and are sized to fit the text size you specify. You can create buttons and ornaments without borders, but you have to edit a button in order to turn auto-sizing off.
Linking -- You can link a button to the current query rather than a specific one. This is useful when you wish to create a button that sends the results of any ad hoc query to another application.
Exporting Results -- GQL provides three mechanisms. You can create an executive button that simply executes menu commands in the receiving application. The menu command you specify must have a command key equivalent. You can also create a button that uses Microsoft’s Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) facility. For applications that do not support DDE, GQL provides an additional mechanism that executes operations recorded as a QuicKeys™ script (cursor control, menu command sequences, etc.) in the receiving application.
Computed Attributes -- If you have been assigned the appropriate operating permission, you can add computed attributes to an attribute window. A computed attribute performs a user-defined calculation in a query. The calculation can be based on more than one attribute from more than one data object in the data model. For example, you can add an attribute that calculates the percentage of one attribute and subtracts the value of another. You can also apply an SQL function to an attribute in the calculation (for example, the average of an attribute). In addition, you can save computed attributes with the data model.
Data Aliasing -- GQL now allows data values query and results files to be created that contain two columns so that the information in the first column aliases the information in the second. The value you choose from these files is the description; GQL then substitutes the corresponding code into the SQL string when it sends the query to the host.
Design Windows -- If you have been assigned the “Edit Design" operating permission, you can create, delete, and rename the data model and other design windows in GQL/User and GQL/Update. You can add executive buttons and ornaments and specify which window should appear when you open the data model.
