A report generator is a computer program whose purpose is to take data from a source such as a database, XML stream or a spreadsheet, and use it to produce a document in a format which satisfies a particular human readership.
The evolution of reporting software has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century, driven by the increasing need for businesses to efficiently analyze and present data.
Initially, manual extraction and tabulation were commonplace, but the advent of computers in the 1960s marked a transformative phase with the emergence of basic reporting tools.
[1] The 1980s saw the widespread adoption of database management systems, laying the groundwork for more sophisticated reporting capabilities.
[3] Presently, reporting software continues to evolve with a focus on data visualization, integration of artificial intelligence, and the imperative for real-time analytics in decision-making.