Sequel Versus Other Power i Data Access Tools

Most Power i shops have neither the staff nor the tools to keep up with all their data access tasks. Without Sequel for Power i data access, end users and programmers must either use inferior query tools, or write high level language programs using RPG or COBOL. Either way, the results are the same: wasted time and frustrated users.

Sequel handles the problems associated with Power i data access for all levels of an organization by making the process of producing usable data, faster and easier. With Sequel, you can produce printed reports, ad hoc queries, summary files, spreadsheet data, and even perform file maintenance (with the proper authority). Sequel allows you to produce and distribute data easily by print, or download it to PC files and shared folders. Sequel is the answer to Power i data access issues, plus it offers multi-platform support to access other enterprise databases.

This document describes the features that make Sequel the Power i data access tool of choice.

Data Views

Sequel lets you create and manipulate data in ways that normally require a software program. With Sequel, you can produce results much faster than with other query tools, or by writing a program.

Sequel provides the following features:

• Conditional logic at detail time
• Unlimited date manipulation and calculations
• A JOIN function for derived fields
• Sophisticated record selection, including record selection for summarized fields
• Sequencing for derived fields
• Data merging versus joining files
• Automatic drill-down analysis capabilities
• Improved performance for local views using the SQE
• Access data anywhere—DB2, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, or any Type-4 JDBC database

Graphical Interface

Sequel's graphical design interface helps you create views and reports quickly and easily.

Sequel provides:

• Templates to help non-technical users build their own views
• Wizards to streamline and facilitate the design process
• User-friendly, graphical file layouts with complete field attributes
• Helpful prompts for fields, calculations, and functions
• Drag-and-drop selection to build views and reports quickly

Report Writer

With the Sequel Report Writer, you can create sophisticated reports that other tools cannot match. You can even create reports that normally require programming.

Sequel offers the following report features:

• Graphical report design layout
• Conditional calculations at detail time and total time
• Calculations at level breaks (total time)
• Calculations before and after records are read
• Multi-line formatting
• Block moves for fields and text
• Total line spacing and skipping control
• Complete font, shading, and graphics controls (with the optional Client Reporting module)

Parameter Passing Capabilities

Run-time prompting allows you to change requests at run-time. Even if you don't know how to change a query, you can simply fill in values on a prompt screen to filter data any way you need. Any Sequel request can include run-time prompts.

Sequel allows you to:

• Set run-time prompts
• Automatically get a formatted prompt
• Prompt interactively, then submit to batch
• Use up to 50 variables per view
• Create prompt designs (programmers)
• Prompt for any part of query
• Generate a drop-down list based upon database values

Tabling

Sequel's Tabling module creates spreadsheet-type summarized data from Power i detail data.

Sequel performs a cross-tabbing function that creates columns across the page instead of the summarized detail data that is stored in Power i files. The Tabling module also provides a percent of total and ranking feature. This feature saves you from the hassle of running multiple queries and creating multiple outfiles to produce the same result.

Sequel's tabling features let you:

• Create rows and columns dynamically
• Create rows based on conditionals
• Create columns based on conditionals
• Produce a grand total line
• Add percent of totals
• Add rankings
• Pivot data interactively

Scripting

With Scripting, you can perform multiple Sequel (or non Sequel) steps without writing a CL program.

With Sequel, you can:

• Perform multiple steps without compiling
• Run or modify scripts from a menu or command line
• Pass variables to multiple steps without CL programming
• Import CL source into a script definition
• Run in 'Step' mode to analyze each step
• Create scripts using an interactive script editor
• Run scripts interactively or in batch
• Save a script as one Sequel user space object

Script Views

Script Views combine the multi-step processing capabilities of standard scripts with the multiple output options of a view. Script Views are created in the same manner, in the same designer, and with full support for most of the same commands used in a standard script. However, unlike a standard script and more like a view, a simple right-click within the Viewpoint Explorer allows you to display, print, create files and more.

Data Output and Sharing

Sequel allows you to direct data almost anywhere, in any format. You can analyze data in the form you are most comfortable with: printed output, PC spreadsheets, or Power i files. Sequel saves effort with no need for RPG programs. You can use Sequel with ESEND to distribute data quickly and easily via e-mail or FTP. You can perform these functions interactively or in batch, and you can schedule them using a job scheduler.

With Sequel, you can easily:

• Print data
• Create Power i files
• Convert data to PC file formats (XLS, XLSX, PDF, TXT, XML, and many others)
• Save PC formats on the Integrated File System (FS), a local drive, or a network drive Combined with ESEND, you can also:
• E-mail to a single user or a group of users
• E-mail data as an attachment, or in the body of an e-mail
• E-mail spooled files that are not generated by Sequel
• FTP data to other systems or platforms

Just for Programmers

Sequel provides features just for programmers. Programmers love Sequel's file maintenance commands that allow them to do updates or deletions based on joins without writing a program. The Open Sequel File command (OPNSQLF) is an easy alternative to other query tool options, and you can restrict any Sequel command using IBM object authority.

With Sequel, programmers can:

• Use file maintenance commands
• Use the OPNSQLF command
• Use Sequel from a command line
• Use Sequel commands in programs
• Set up user defaults and security
• Use UNION and subquery functions

Other Sequel Products

You can combine Sequel with the Client Reporting module or the Sequel Web Interface for additional data access capabilities.

Client Reporting

This add-on module lets you create reports for PC-printer output using your Power i data. The Client Reporting module provides powerful report-formatting capabilities, plus complete graphics and font control to enhance the appearance and professionalism of your reports.

Sequel Web Interface

The Sequel Web Interface allows you to run your existing Sequel and Query/400 objects from a Web browser. In addition, you can display and manage spooled file output, either by user ID or output queue.

HelpSystems Support

Sequel offers excellent technical support. We encourage you to contact HelpSystems if you have any Sequel questions, including questions about how to use Sequel and how to structure Sequel statements.