<PHM Reports>

Then there is the problem of a report generator.  This exists and is called
Microsoft Access.  Microsoft access is too hard to use however.  The desired
magic tool:

1) Connects to any database and runs on MS.NET / Windows
2) Allows building queries (Access-like graphical query language)
3) Forms
3.1) Must allow any pointy-haired manager (PHM) to parameterize query
3.2) Any parameterized query can be put into pretty GUI form by PHM.
3.3) PHM can combine form with GWC
4) Reports
4.1) PHM can do roll-ups / grouping _post facto_ or interactively
4.2) PHM can use Excel-Like tool to interactively roll-up, pivot, or cube
results
4.3) PHM can design report layout suitable for distribution or presentation
SHE (silver-haired executives)

5) C-geek friendly (C-geeks program in C, disdain databases as mere CIS
scutt work.)
5.1) C-geek can use PHMR to abstract subset of functionality to provide
application specific simplified reporting tool.
5.2) C-geek need not work with OS or RDB user, user-group, or roles to
restrict (can) applications developed using PHMR as meta-tool.
5.3) Like PHM, but much less so, C-geek can avoid playing DB developer or
DBA.
5.4) C-geek can control snapshotting, commit sizes, etc. to tune the
performance -vs- consistency of any derived reporting tool.

6) Child-proofing.
6.1) Restrictions on DB access can be set in derived applications (per 5.2)
6.2) PHMR talks to RDBMS to get query plan.  PHMR derived applications warn
of potentially lethal queries per C-geek specifications.  Specifications can
be made accessible to administrators of the derived app.
6.3) PHMR derived applications can monitor all queries it dispatches and
kill them if they use excessive resources as defined by DBA or C-geek.  Kill
parameters can be exposed for tuning by derived application administrator at
C-geek option.
6.4) PHMR keeps access plans for all killed queries for length of time set
by C-geek (or app admin) and denies queries with identical or super-set
access plans.

<How would I search for this sort of tool?>

==================================

Trent Shipley

Work:
(602) 522-7502
mailto:tshipley@symbio-tech.com
http://www.symbio-tech.com