Creating a background task definition

To create a background task definition, use this procedure:

  1. Open the Background Task Definitions form and execute Filter-In-Place.
  2. Initiate a new task record.
  3. Provide this information:
    Task Name
    Specify a name for the task.
    Task Description
    Optionally, provide a helpful description of the task.
    Executable Name
    Specify the object to be executed as a background task:
    • For a report, specify the name of the DataView to be used to generate the report.
    • For a stored procedure, specify the stored procedure.
    • For an IDO method, specify the IDO method.
    Executable Type
    Select the type of object to be executed as a background task:
    • For a report, select RPT.
    • For a stored procedure, select SP.
    • For an IDO method, select IDOMTH.
    Exclusive
    To prevent more than one instance of the task from running simultaneously, select this option.
    Report Type
    Select which type of report generator is to be used to generate the report.
    Note: This field is enabled only if you select RPT as the Executable Type.
    Report Options
    To launch the Report Options form, in which you can make various settings for the output of a report, click this button.
    Note: This button is enabled only if you select RPT as the Executable Type.
    Paper Size
    Select the size of paper to be used for the report output.

    For descriptions of the various paper sizes available, see List of report paper size options.

    Note: This field is enabled only if you select RPT as the Executable Type.
    Maximum Concurrent
    Specify the maximum number of concurrent instances of this task you want TaskMan to allow.

    The default value is 20.

    Valid values are positive integers. A value of -1 means any number of concurrent instances of this task are allowed to run, up to other limits imposed on all tasks.

    Caution: 
    Do not attempt to use a value of zero (0), as it disables the task completely.
    Isolation Level
    Select the transaction isolation level to use when running stored procedure tasks (Executable Type is set to SP) or report stored procedures (Executable Type is set to RPT):
    • COMMITTED: All queries run from this stored procedure see only data for which the query can get a shared lock. No reads of uncommitted data are performed.
    • UNCOMMITTED: All queries run from this stored procedure can read uncommitted data. Use this option carefully, since it can display data that has not yet been committed in the database.

    If no isolation level is set in this form, the stored procedure uses the global Collection Read Mode value from the Process Defaults form. If that value does not exist, the stored procedure uses COMMITTED as the transaction isolation level.

  4. Save.