Using the dataURL variable to pass XML data

Use the dataURL variable if the XML to pass to the Flash object exceeds 64KB, which can occur for more complex objects, such as multi-series combination charts that require many rows of data or the definition of a large number of attributes.

When you use the dataURL variable, the XML data is stored in a separate file rather than embedded in the Flash object. To use this method, you write a Java class to generate the XML file, then pass the URL of the program to the Flash object.

Writing a Java class requires experience with the Eclipse Java development process. The Java class must be implemented as a plug-in, which is a modular component that provides a specific type of service within the Eclipse platform. In fact, all the tools in Eclipse and Actuate BIRT Designer are plug-ins. For information about developing plug-ins, see the Eclipse documentation.

How to use the dataURL variable to pass data to the Flash object

This procedure assumes you have already implemented a plug-in that generates the XML file to pass to the Flash object.

1	In the report layout, select the Flash object.

2	In Property Editor, choose the Flash Variables tab.

3	In the Flash Variable page, choose Add.

4	In Add Variables, do the following:

1	In Name, type:

dataURL

2	In Expression, choose the JavaScript expression builder.

5	In the JavaScript expression builder, type an expression that passes the URL of the plug-in to the Flash object. Use the createDataURL( ) method of the flashContext object, as shown in the following example:

flashContext.createDataURL("ComboChartXMLFormat", true, null);

The first argument, ComboChartXMLFormat, is the format defined in the plug-in. The second argument, true, specifies that the URL is encoded. The third argument, null, specifies that there are no custom parameter names and values to pass to the URL.

6	Choose OK to save the expression.

7	Choose OK to save the dataURL variable.

Copyright Actuate Corporation 2012