Abstract: Techniques for configuring a dynamic document template and for generating formatted documents based thereon are provided. A data source is associated with a dynamic document template. Static text is inserted into the template. One or more placeholders are inserted in the template. Expressions may be associated with static text and placeholders in the template. Each expression may reference one or more data elements of the data source. One or more formatted documents may be generated based on the dynamic document template. In the case of placeholders, a data element referenced by an expression associated with a placeholder may be displayed in a formatted document in place of the placeholder in a display format (e.g., a color, a font type, etc.) selected according to the expression. Likewise, a display format of static text may be selected based on an expression associated with the static text.

Abstract: A computer output display system is provided. The system includes a layout component to determine one or more rendering rules that are applicable to a subset of display output controls. A format component communicates the rendering rules via a generic protocol that is employed by the subset of display output controls to render a display.

Abstract: Generating a report involves phases such as (a) database queries or other raw data accesses, (b) calculations such as data grouping, sorting, filtering, aggregation, (c) data presentation layout, (d) data formatting, and (e) rendering. When generating a modified version of a report, reusable interim results for phases (b), (c), and (d) are identified and retrieved from a cache instead of being recalculated. Newly calculated interim results are also cached for possible future use.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring a dynamic document template and for generating formatted documents based thereon are provided. A data source is associated with a dynamic document template. Static text is inserted into the template. One or more placeholders are inserted in the template. Expressions may be associated with static text and placeholders in the template. Each expression may reference one or more data elements of the data source. One or more formatted documents may be generated based on the dynamic document template. In the case of placeholders, a data element referenced by an expression associated with a placeholder may be displayed in a formatted document in place of the placeholder in a display format (e.g., a color, a font type, etc.) selected according to the expression. Likewise, a display format of static text may be selected based on an expression associated with the static text.

Abstract: On-line or computer based document generation and consumption has become as common, or more so, than paper based document generation and consumption. With the move away from paper there is no longer the physical restriction of the paper on which a document may be printed. It is still desirable, however, to break documents into readable pages. We allow a selection of logical page breaks at locations that are deemed convenient, also allow for selection of approximate page dimensions for pages within each logical section. Because these pages are approximate, pagination is less computationally expensive than fixed pagination. Moreover, many of the appearance problems that plague fixed pagination dissolve.

Abstract: A computer output display system is provided. The system includes a layout component to determine one or more rendering rules that are applicable to a subset of display output controls. A format component communicates the rendering rules via a generic protocol that is employed by the subset of display output controls to render a display.

Abstract: On-line or computer based document generation and consumption has become as common, or more so, than paper based document generation and consumption. With the move away from paper there is no longer the physical restriction of the paper on which a document may be printed. It is still desirable, however, to break documents into readable pages. We allow a selection of logical page breaks at locations that are deemed convenient, also allow for selection of approximate page dimensions for pages within each logical section. Because these pages are approximate, pagination is less computationally expensive than fixed pagination. Moreover, many of the appearance problems that plague fixed pagination dissolve.