COM vs XML vs RTF vs?

4rxsid

Hi All,

I'm looking for the best way to generate a formated report (data from MySQL DB, no images) that will ultimately be sent via email. (So generating output to just browser won't due).

I've hear & read a lot about using COM to create .doc documents, but I've yet to see (or develop myself), working code to do so. I am using php 4.3.3 on an NT4 box using IIS.

What about XML to format a report, then send it via php's mail ()?

Or, anything out there for RTF?

Any additional input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Weedpacket

Not a lot of detail, so this is pretty rough:

COM: assumes a Windows server, a copy of MS Word and that everyone receiving the reports also has MS Word, and will accept attached files.
XML: Not much point - there's structure, sure, but no formatting unless you have XSLT as well: you might as well just use HTML and be done with it - at least there'll be email clients that will know how to render HTML.
RTF: Dunno a huge amount about this
HTML: see XML
Plain text: Don't laugh - it is a very widely-recognised format, fast, and simple (and PHP borrows C's string formatting functions).
PDF: Just thought I'd mention it; and assuming the libraries are available, supported natively in PHP.

4rxsid

thanks for the reply weedpac!

i should have stated this this will be used in an "intra-office" setting at work, as opposed to across the web. sorry for lack of additional info.

also, i incorrectly stated i'm using php 4.3.3. i'm on 4.3.1. oopps.

com seems to be a bit messy at this point. i personally don't favor $M products.

after the report is emailed out, it will have to be printed out, so i think i'm looking at using .txt as my best, most platform independant format. i'm just not that familiar with formatting .txt into "decent" looking reports.

thanks for the info/insight!