I need to develop this application for some users. In simple terms I have a
windows form that allows the user to enter/select some parameters. A button
Click calls a Crystal Report to print.

The Crystal Report must read data from an Oracle Database. I can design the
Crystal Report to access Oracle directly using odbc. I know how to make this
run but I think this approach is not good, because this will create security
concern, require Oracle client installation, require odbc setup onto each
user's PC, etc.

I know I can remove this concern if I build a pure web-based application
(aspx). But if I don't want this now, is there another approach?

A different approach I have in mind is to build a small, separate
server-based application that simply prints Crystal Report. What then I need
is to set up Oracle access in the server, not on any PC. The user runs a
normal Windows application from his/her PC, and let the application call the
separate server-based printing application. Can someone tell me how good/bad
is this approach and if this is a normal approach, give me some hints for the
codes required in the Windows form?

Thank you.

I think this can be resolved by setting the datasource from a stored procedure.

"ykffc" wrote:

> I need to develop this application for some users. In simple terms I have a
> windows form that allows the user to enter/select some parameters. A button
> Click calls a Crystal Report to print.
>
> The Crystal Report must read data from an Oracle Database. I can design the
> Crystal Report to access Oracle directly using odbc. I know how to make this
> run but I think this approach is not good, because this will create security
> concern, require Oracle client installation, require odbc setup onto each
> user's PC, etc.
>
> I know I can remove this concern if I build a pure web-based application
> (aspx). But if I don't want this now, is there another approach?
>
> A different approach I have in mind is to build a small, separate
> server-based application that simply prints Crystal Report. What then I need
> is to set up Oracle access in the server, not on any PC. The user runs a
> normal Windows application from his/her PC, and let the application call the
> separate server-based printing application. Can someone tell me how good/bad
> is this approach and if this is a normal approach, give me some hints for the
> codes required in the Windows form?
>
> Thank you.