DHTML Report Options

DHTML Options

Option	Description
Parameter Dialog HTML Template	Specify an HTML template that will be used for a parameter dialog.
Parameter Dialog CSS File	Specify a CSS file used to generate the Parameter Dialog.
Custom Replet Error Page	Specify a custom page that will display for a replet error.
Tool Dialog CSS File	Specify a CSS file used to generate the DHTML tool dialogs.
Repository Servlet Title	Specify a Portal page title. Localization is only applied if the default title is used.
Repository Header	The repository will display the header you define.
Repository Footer	The repository will display the footer you define.
Page Footer	A report will display a footer you define.
Page Background	Set the background color.
Report Session Timeout	Set the timeout interval, if the user is inactive.
Toolbar Style	Choose button toolbar options or text toolbar options.
Show Grouping Headers in Explorer	If selected, group headers in sections and/or tables will be included in the Report Explorer.
Enable Add to Queue	Presents users with an 'Add to Queue' button on the report loading screen.
Toolbar Visibility	Can show or hide the toolbar on the Web Viewer.
Toolbar Location	The toolbar can be positioned if css-p layout method is used. The possible values are: Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Top and Bottom.
Toolbar Background	Set the toolbar's background color.
Toolbar Font Color	Set the toolbar's foreground color.

A parameter dialog HTML template contains both regular HTML and three special tags, $(report.parameters), $(report.title), and $(report.description), which correspond to the report parameter fields, title, and description. When prompting for parameters, the parameter dialog will be generated by loading this template and substituting the appropriate values for the tags.

A CSS file can be used to style the Parameter dialog. The CSS file can contain any possible ID or Class that is in the editable parameter window, for example, body{} or option{}.

What Is DHTML?

DHTML (Dynamic HTML) refers to a collection of technologies used together to create interactive and dynamic websites. It is not a single technology but a combination of:

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The foundational language used to structure web pages.
2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Used for styling the appearance of HTML elements, such as fonts, colors, and layouts.
3. JavaScript: A scripting language that allows interaction with the HTML elements and the browser to make the page dynamic.

How DHTML Works:

DHTML allows web pages to change without requiring the page to reload, enhancing interactivity and providing a more seamless experience for users. By manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) using JavaScript, elements on a webpage can be added, removed, or altered in real time based on user input or other triggers.

Example of What DHTML Can Do:

• Interactive Forms: Forms that provide immediate feedback (e.g., live validation without page reload).
• Animations: Creating movements, like images sliding, expanding menus, or text effects.
• Dynamic Content: Loading new content dynamically (such as search results) without reloading the page.
• Hover Effects: Changing styles or content when the mouse hovers over certain elements.

Key Components of DHTML:

1. HTML defines the structure and content.
2. CSS controls how the content looks and provides basic static layouts and styling.
3. JavaScript enables interaction, manipulating the content dynamically.
4. DOM (Document Object Model) acts as an interface that allows JavaScript to interact with the HTML/CSS to update the web page in real time.

DHTML vs. Static HTML:

• Static HTML pages are non-interactive and require the page to reload if any new data or content is needed.
• DHTML pages, by contrast, are interactive and dynamic, with changes happening instantly without refreshing the entire page.

Limitations:

• Browser Compatibility: Early implementations of DHTML were plagued by differences between browsers (like Internet Explorer and Netscape), making it difficult to ensure consistent behavior across platforms.
• Complexity: Managing dynamic content with DHTML can lead to complicated code, especially as interactivity increases.

Evolution and Relevance Today:

While DHTML was a popular term in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the web development landscape has evolved. Modern web development has moved beyond DHTML with more advanced technologies like:

• AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML): Enables loading data in the background without page reloads.
• JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) that handle dynamic interactions more efficiently.
• HTML5 and CSS3: Provide more native support for dynamic elements without relying solely on JavaScript.

In essence, DHTML was an important step in the evolution of interactive web development, but today, the term is rarely used in favor of more specific technologies. However, the fundamental principles behind DHTML are still relevant in modern web design.

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