Setting default parameter values

One of the most commonly asked questions over the past few years in the newsgroups have been "How can I set a date parameter to default to the current date?"

Before BIRT 2.5, this was not an easy task to accomplish. However, new to BIRT 2.5 is the ability to set a date parameter's default value via script. Let's go about it:

1. 1. Create a new report called defaultParameterValueReport.rptdesign.

2. 2. Create the Classic Cars Sample Database Data Source.

3. 3. Create a dataset called dsOrderRange, with the help of following query:

   select
   *
   from
   CLASSICMODELS.ORDERS
   where
   CLASSICMODELS.ORDERS.ORDERDATE between ? and ?
   

4. 4. Link the two dataset parameters to report parameters called prmStartDate and prmEndDate. Make sure the two dateset parameters and two report parameters are of type Date.

5. 5. Open the editor for prmStartDate. In the drop-down box next to Default value, select Javascript Syntax and continue.

6. 6. Use the following script in the expression builder. Don't worry...