Report specification system and method

1 . A report model for defining a report, the report model comprising:

a query data specification for defining one or more sets of data that are to be reported against; and

a layout specification for defining how the data is to be structured and rendered, the layout specification including elements that are typically defined in a query.

2 . The report model as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a burst specification for defining how the report is to be segmented and delivered to various recipients.

3 . The report model as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the layout specification includes:

a chart specification for defining how the data is to be structure and rendered in a chart form; and

a prompt specification for defining how to prompt for parameters that can be used in the definition of the query.

4 . The report model as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the data selection specification references an underlying metadata model which can be relational or multidimensional.

5 . A method of producing a report output from a report definition, the method comprising the steps of:

decomposing a report definition into a layout definition and a query set component;

processing a query results definition of the query set to produce query results to be rendered; and

creating the final report by using the query results and the layout definition.

6 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising the step of extracting a topology of a data selection from the layout definition into a query results definition for defining how the data should be structured for rendering, the data selection and query results definition forming part of the query set.

7 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising the step of receiving the report definition.

8 . A system of producing a report output form a report definition, the system comprising:

a report engine for decomposing a report definition into a layout definition and a query set component;

a query engine for processing a query results definition of the query set to produce query results to be rendered;

a rendering engine for creating the final report by using the query results and the layout definition.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the query set comprises a data selection and a query results definition for defining how the data should be structured for rendering.

10 . A memory containing computer executable instructions that can be read and executed by a computer for caring out a method of producing a report output from a report definition, the method comprising the steps of:

decomposing a report definition into a layout definition and a query set component;

processing a query results definition of the query set to produce query results to be rendered; and

creating the final report by using the query results and the layout definition.

11 . A carrier carrying a propagated signal containing computer executable instructions that can be read and executed by a computer, the computer executable instructions being used to execute a method of producing a report output from a report definition, the method comprising the steps of:

decomposing a report definition into a layout definition and a query set component;

processing a query results definition of the query set to produce query results to be rendered; and

creating the final report by using the query results and the layout definition.