Writing the Genero BDL report program A Genero BDL report program retrieves the data and outputs it to a report. Overview Genero BDL is used to write the code for a 4gl file that retrieves the data, often from a database, and outputs it to a report. Tips Tips for writing a BDL report program. Creating a simple report This example BDL program (SimpleReport.4gl) uses data from the officestore database to create a report. There are more complex examples in the Reports project provided as a demo with Genero Report Writer. Fetching report data You can obtain the data for the report in several ways. Output options Various output formats are available for a report, to include SVG, PDF, and image files. The output is sent to the destination specified by the output options. Generate a data schema from a Genero BDL report program After you write or modify a Genero report program, you must generate the data schema (rdd) file. This file is used by the Genero Report Designer to provide a list of data objects for use in the report design. Allowing the user to select output options Users can choose the format to see the report output. Creating a report with dummy data If your report does not contain data, you receive an error message. You can use a workaround to ensure your report always has at least one line of data and therefore avoid this error. Running a Genero ASCII report using GRW (Compatibility Report) This type of report is referred to as a compatibility report. Sub reports You can include one or more reports inside another report. Related concepts Change report output options Steps to a Report Create labels: the report program (Genero BDL)