Parameters inside Report or Inside the FM Model?

[gosoccer]

Quick Question.
Friends.

If I have the parameter that is to be send to the DB for a Query inside the Report Author Report as ?site_id? instead of
having the parameters speficied as a part of the Model's Subject Query as

(XXXX.SITE_ID = #prompt('site_id')#)

Would it make a difference the way Cognos works as far as running the report concerned?

Please help!
Thx so much!

[MFGF]

They resolve to the same thing, usually, so no real difference in terms of performance. The difference is in whether you have to code the parameter for every report or whether you code it once in Framework Manager.

Cheers!

MF.

[gosoccer]

Well, I wish that was the case. For a 5 days search from Feb 1 to Feb 6, there was a 3 minutes difference between
having the parameter inside the Model Subject Query and having the parameter inside the report. For millions of records, it is magnified.

Unforatunately, with using the parameter from FM Model Subj. Query, I CAN NOT set it up the drop down listing as an optional (Optional in the Filter) in the Report Author Report. The report doesn't allow it unless there is a trick involved.

The reason I need the Drop Down List to be optional since I have two of them in the same prompt screen as the attachement shows. So the user can select the Left box and run the Report or the Right Search/Select to run the report.

In this case, if the user selects the left side and wants to Run Report, since the Right Search and Select Box doesn't have the user entry, it comes back with the ugly "One or More Required Value is Missing" Message.

Thx in advance for your time and let me know if you have any recommendations.
:'(