Hello. In my short time using WebFOCUS, I have created both...

[NYCBabak .]

You can concatenate multiple (identical) FOCUS files with the USE command which allows you to partition your data and only report off of the .foc files you want. We used to use this very effectively in historical reporting where each years data was in a separate .foc file and we archived old ones to keep reports running more efficiently. You can have multi-segment foc files. Not sure if this is a big deal now a days. You already mentioned Indexing which is another advantage.

[Manoj Chaurasia]

NYCBabaks comments are very valid. Most hold files are pretty small in size so you wont find a big performance difference but if you anticipate the file file will be large then using a FOCUS database with indexes will definitely improve the performance of the subsequent reports. When you create large hold files I recommend using Run Deferred or ReportCaster so you dont tie up your browser session waiting for a long time. Also there are field name length restrictions when indexing a FOCUS database. I think the field name cant be longer than 16 so you may have to turn ASNAMES ON and make your field title accordingly.

[Todd Van Valkenburg]

Thank you for the replies. Sounds like there are advantages to using Focus over Binary. I will need to research how to create an index and the USE command.

[NYCBabak .]

https://webfocusinfocenter.informationbuilders.com/wfappent/TLs/TL_lang/source/use104.htm

[Todd Van Valkenburg]

Hello. In my short time using WebFOCUS, I have created both FOCUS and BINARY permanent hold files for later use by other reports and html pages. Both formats seemed to work fine and I only saw a difference in the segment name when looking at the mas file and so I just use BINARY. But I was wondering what considerations I should give before using one type versus another and perhaps I am missing something. Any performance benefits Any pro/cons that you have encountered The only thing that I read in an InfoAssist pdf was that FOCUS hold files can have an index which I have not yet explored.

Thank you for your insight.

Todd

[Edwin Fincher]

Hi Chuck,

If I create an HTML page in AppStudio and insert new reports successfully in a page - visible and correctly displayed on the HTML page in the HTML canvas . What would causes these reports not to display at run time

[Manoj Chaurasia]

Hi Edwin

Are they published Does this happen when you run from App Studio or when it is run from the Web interface or both

[Catherine Yeung]

Could someone add what a Binary Hold file is used for Or an example of a use case where you would choose Binary over FOCUS

Thanks!

[Manoj Chaurasia]

Binary is most often used when all you need is a temporary flat file output. FOCUS databases allow indexing and are more for a permanent use of the data by other reports or for populating chained parameter lists which may be taking too long to load directly from the real tables.