Systems Architects and Engineers specialising in the effective use of Systems Architecture, Methods and Tools since 1982

Definition

When you choose the Cascade Report, the cascade definition form is displayed. You can use it to specify a series of related spheres up to five in depth. It first appears showing the first two spheres you chose for relations reporting in the sequence in which they are shown on the relations report form. To extend the set, click one of the enabled "Next Available Sphere" radio buttons. Names of usable spheres are printed in black while spheres for which there is no defined relation are shown disabled in grey low relief.

Filtering

Filters specified in the relations report form are carried over to the cascade report but you may (re)set sequence code or level filters on any selected sphere by using the filter fields to the right of the sphere name field. This will restrict output of items in that sphere to those items whose sequence codes begin with the partial code. (See the notes on filtering in Common Features and Facilities). The restriction works from the top down so that the maximum filtering effect is caused by restricting the first sphere. A useful technique is to prepare multiple reports for different top level filters to make each more comprehensible than a single complete report.

Direction of Relation

If you choose the same sphere twice, consecutively, making use of a recursive relationship, you can also define the direction in which the relationship will be traced. The pale blue toggle buttons are initialised to show "Forward" and their accompanying relation values show the first of the forward values for the relationship. If you then click the toggle button it will change to show "Inverse" and the relationship value will show the first inverse relation value. When you have defined the complete desired set, click the Print button to prepare the report.

Specifying Relation Values

You can select further filtering on the relation values which may be used between any pair of spheres. On entry to the report or selection of a sphere, the relation values shown default to "ANY", indicating that no filtering will take place. Click any of the displayed values and it will switch from any value through the set of available values, forward of inverse according to the setting of the direction toggle.

While in the Cascade Report form, you may select a completely new sphere set with any starting point, not necessarily the original sphere pair, by first clicking the Reset button.

Printing

To print the Cascade report, you should click the Print button. Options available are the cascade report with notes (Notes), a shortened report printed without notes (Bare) or an as seen screen print (Screen). Choose one of these or abort printing by selecting the appropriate radio button.