What do you do when you need to create a field that's a calculated value based on real data?

By Tyler Even

If you've used the DB2 Web Query for IBM i development tools, you may have noticed the ability to create two types of virtual fields: defined fields and computed fields. Often, when building a report, you need to create a field that is not in the original database but is instead a calculated value based on real data. For example, "gross profit" may not actually exist in your data, but it can be calculated from revenue and cost values. Each virtual field type has its own distinct advantages and purpose in report development. This TechTip uses a real-world example to illustrate when you should use which field type.

Development teams continue to enhance Symphony as IBM bundles it with Lotus Notes and Sametime in a move to edge Microsoft off the desktop.

By Chris Smith

IBM Lotus released V1.1 of Symphony last week, a release that runs significantly faster than the earlier V1.0 and features mail-merge functions using .nsf files.

Users had been waiting for some time for the ability to do a direct mail merge between a document and their Notes Contacts address book or other Notes database file without going through a time-consuming file conversion. This will further enhance the value of Symphony for Notes users, many of whom still switch back and forth between Notes and Microsoft Office (including this reporter). Others simply forego the Notes Contacts (Personal Name and Address Book in 7.X) altogether in favor of Microsoft Outlook.