Looking for report generator generator

[Eric Richardson]

Trent Shipley wrote:
> 
> <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?>
Maybe datawarehouse tools?
eric