HP Data Entry and Forms Management System (VPLUS) Reference Manual (32209-90024)

Chapter 5 185
Reformatting Specifications
Relation of Forms to Output Records
Relation of Forms to Output Records
Every record in a batch file consists of data entered on a single form. It may be that the
data on one form represents a logical group of information. However, the data from a
sequence of forms may make up such a logical grouping, or the data entered on one form
may make several logical groupings. The reformatter allows you to rearrange the entered
data into output records with different groupings.
Before running REFSPEC to set up your reformat file, it is important to understand the
relations between the forms (and the data entered on the forms) and the output records
generated by the reformatter. The forms to be reformatted are identified in the input forms
sequence of the reformat file; the output records are defined in the associated output
record definitions.
Input Forms Sequence
Each input forms sequence lists the form or forms on which the data to be reformatted was
entered.
In order to generate the output file from the reformatting specifications, REFORMAT
reads each batch record in turn. Associated with each record is the form on which the data
was entered. For the first batch record, REFORMAT searches the input forms sequences in
the reformat file for a matching "reformat identifier". This identifier is the name of the first
form in each in put forms sequence, and must be unique in the reformat file. If a matching
reformat identifier is not found, the batch record is skipped.
Other form names may follow the reformat identifier in the same input forms sequence.
These form names need not be unique. If a sequence of forms is specified, the batch records
following the record that matches the reformat identifier must exactly match the form
names in the input forms sequence. If they do not, the batch record is skipped, and the
next batch record is checked against all reformat identifiers in the reformat file. Some
rules to remember:
• Every batch file record contains data entered on a single form.
• The form name on which the data was entered is stored in the batch record with the
data.
• Records in the batch file are processed sequentially starting with the first record and
continuing through to the end.
• The first form name in each input forms sequence is the reformat identifier, and must
be unique.
• In order to be reformatted, the form name of a batch record must match one of the
reformat identifiers or be in a sequence following a form that matches a reform at
identifier.
• Form names in an input forms sequence following the reformat identifier can appear in
other input forms sequences as reformat identifiers or as part of a sequence following
the reformat identifier.
• If more than one form is named in an input forms sequence, the sequence of batch