Reports REX file 1

[benjhparker]

Thanks for the response to the question about the rep file.

Now another question.

What exactly is the rex file used for?

Is it soley for documentation purposes?

As I understand it is an ASCII represetation of the RDF file; ok, so if one makes a change in the REX file, can one convert it back to an RDF file and execute it?

Thanks for any information.

 

[HimanB]

Hi,
Rex files can be used to compare the chnages done between two versions of a RDF.

It is a ASCII format depiction of RDF file where in you may read the PL/SQL code written in the Report and also check if the size of a feild is altered or any new object has been added in the report.

This is something same as converting a FMB file to FMT.

Yes you can convert a REX file back to RDF by using Report builder as follows:
File ->Generate->Conevert
Select REX file as the Source & RDF as destination.

HTH
Regards
Himanshu

 

[nagornyi]

Yes, reports can be edited by making changes to REX file. More than that, using REX file things not available for editing in Report Designer can be changed, for example, names and widhts of default parameters. However, for standard editing it is more convenient to use RDF file, to which the REX file, as HimanB pointed out, can be easily converter.
The most appropriate use of REX file is moving reports across platforms. For example, to ensure the report developed under Windows noved uncorrupted to UNIX, it should be converted and moved like this:
Windows RDF--> Windows REX--> UNIX REX --> UNIX RDF.