Crystal Reports

[Ross Mason]

Hi

I am interested in using crystal reports for the first time but have a few
questions that someone maybe able to help with before I get started. The
background to my query is that a client is interested in using crystal
reports as a web based reporting tool to get data out of a sql server
database and we have always created our own bespoke reporting tools but this
particular client wishes to go down the crystal reports route.

1) We have crystal reports installed along with our version of Visual
Studio. When we ship the application do we need to buy a license for crystal
reports to be installed on the server where the application will be deployed?

2) The tutorials I have skimmed through so far all seem to be static and
there is no way for the user to interact with the report. Is it possible to
create dynamic reports?

3) Finally can anybody recommend any good source of tutorials which will get
us up to speed quickly?

Many thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Niks]

Hi

I am interested in using crystal reports for the first time but have a few
questions that someone maybe able to help with before I get started. The
background to my query is that a client is interested in using crystal
reports as a web based reporting tool to get data out of a sql server
database and we have always created our own bespoke reporting tools but this
particular client wishes to go down the crystal reports route.

1) We have crystal reports installed along with our version of Visual
Studio. When we ship the application do we need to buy a license for crystal
reports to be installed on the server where the application will be deployed?

2) The tutorials I have skimmed through so far all seem to be static and
there is no way for the user to interact with the report. Is it possible to
create dynamic reports?

3) Finally can anybody recommend any good source of tutorials which will get
us up to speed quickly?

Many thanks for any help in advance.

Hi Ross,
Here are the answers of all of your questions. Hope it will hwlp u.

Ans 1 :-- Although we have crystal report in VS.net package but if u
are going to deployed your application on server , its
need to buy a license for crystal report. Once you will be having that
licence key then only you can use it otherwise it will always pop up
to register.

Ans 2:-- Yes, you can create dynamic reports. For this, you will have
to bind your reports with the XML schema tables [dataset ] on the
design time. At run time you will have to fill the filtered data in to
that dtaset and then u will have to bind your report with this
dataset. I hope you are getting what I want to explain.

Ans 3:-- you can tutorials for crystal report from www.flazx.com. It
is a free site for all type of technical books.You can download the
relevant book\tutorials from here.

Have a good day.
Nikhil

 

[sloan]

My #1 advice.

Use the PUSH model and NOT the PULL method.

Build strong datasets. Populate them. And then build your reports off the
xsd definition.

You will be much happier in the end. And you will get away from Crystal
Reports voodoo.

...

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/aspnet/crystal_report.aspx
http://www.codeguru.com/csharp/.net/net_general/toolsand3rdparty/article.php/c13253/

The kbs will mention that you should find the ADO.NET DataSet ..in the CR
menus when trying to find the dataset to "build up" the report in the CR
interface.
This sometimes doesn't work, and you should find "Xsd" option.
It'll make sense when you get to that step. This is a CR menu item with a
treeview trying to find the source item to build the report.