Thanks for your interest in ReportBuilder. The goal and philosophy of the
product is to embrace the architecture and spirit of Delphi by providing
both a RAD reporting tool and an extensible reporting class library. This is
provides you with flexibility and extensibility that is not possible using
Crystal Reports.
> 1. use the same generic code for all reports and select report by name (or
> somehow else) at runtime
ReportBuilder provides the flexibility to
- embed the report definitions into your application,
- store the report definitions as .rtm files
- store the reports to a report explorer database for use with our Report
Explorer interface. (Looks like the windows explorer and is used organize
reports into a folders and to print and preview reports).
- store the reports to a database table (name, report definition)
With regards to report code, you can use Delphi code or with RB Enterprise,
you can optionally use RB's run-time Pascal environment that enables you to
code event-handles that can be stored as part of the report definition -
outside of your application exe. You can extend RAP with custom functions
that you can share with all of your reports.
> 2. assign database queries (in some apps BDE, in some other - ADO) to the
> report and its subreports at runtime;
ReportBuilder supports most database engines and data access component sets.
You can work with external datasets that reside on a datamodule/form and
ReportBuilder Professional and Enterprise include a visual data access
environment that includes query designer tools.
ReportBuilder AutoSearch feature can be used to define search fields for
which RB will automatically create and display an ask-at-runtime dialog.
When RB's query tools are used to define autosearch critieria, RB can
dynamically modify the SQL Where clause.
The visual query environment, DADE, also includes a non-visual SQLBuilder
class that can be used to programmatically modify the SQL at run-time.
3. embed word, excel, .bmp or .jpg file into the report at runtime;
RB includes built-in support for rich text (.rtf), bmp, and jpeg.
TRichView and WPTools are Delphi third-party products that provide
integration to ReportBuilder. These products provide support for advanced
rich text formats and html.
> 4. show in the report the image (.bmp, .jpg) taken from BLOB field;
>
There is built-in support for this. With RB's DBImage component, there is a
property to specify the image format contained in the blob. The DBImage can
also read datafields that contain a string to an image file patch on disk
and load the image from file automatically.
> 5. export report into .pdf, word, excel, ascii when it is being generated
> and after it was generated;
>
RB includes built-in support for .pdf, delimited text, report text, archive
(.raf), preview, and print. Additional formats are provided by third-party
products (www.waler.com, www.gnostice.com, www.rarefind.com)
> 6. manipulate data in the report during its generation: calculated fields,
> showing/hiding report sections depends on data;
>
A ReportBuilder report is a composite object. The report layout consists of
the Report.Bands[].Objects[] structure that can be defined by using the
visual report designer and/or via run-time code. Each element in the report
is a an object that has properties, methods, and events.
The included events provide extensive control over the report generation
process. For example in the report.Detail.BeforePrint event you might want
to conditionally color a total as red.
if myDataPipeline['Amount'] < 0 then
myDBText.Font.Color := clRed
else
myDBText.Font.Color := clBlack;
> 7. spread records from left to right (similar to crosstab in Crystal -
> analogue to excel spread sheet).
>
RB includes the ability to produce column based reports (up then down, or
across then down) and Crosstab reports. There is a also third party Grid
Pack component set available.
> 8. design report without having actual data ready in the database.
>
There are a couple of options here. You can use an empty dataset or you can
create static fields for the DBPipeline component. You could also use a
JITPipeline component and write code to get the dataset data later on.
Good luck in your evaluation! Download a trial version of RB, take a test
driver and join the ReportBuilder community on our newsgroups at
news.digital-metaphors.com. Below is a list of resources for learning RB.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Article: Resources for Learning ReportBuilder
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. Learning ReportBuilder is a complete learning system designed to teach
end users how to build a range of reports, but it is also an excellent
resource for the developer who is just getting started with RB. Learning RB
includes a 125-page PDF file, a stand-alone application complete with a
database, and a help file. The PDF file contains a set of tutorials, which
can be completed using the provided application. Learning ReportBuilder can
be downloaded from:
http://www.digital-metaphors.com/LearnRB/LearnRB.exe
2. Learning to RAP is designed to teach end-users how to use ReportBuilder's
Calc workspace to perform calculations and control visual aspects of the
report while it is generating. Learning to RAP includes a 59-page PDF file
and a stand-alone application complete with a database. The PDF file is
comprised of a series of tutorials that step end users through the process
of coding calculations and event-handlers to dynamically control report
generation. The application is used in conjunction with the tutorials so
that the learning experience is interactive. Learning ReportBuilder - RAP
can be downloaded from:
http://www.digital-metaphors.com/LearnRB/LearnRap.exe
3. Developer's Guide
When you install RB, this guide is automatically installed into the
RBuilder\Developers Guide directory. It contains extensive conceptual
information and step by step tutorials which show how to construct reports
and reporting applications within the context of the Delphi IDE.
4. On-Line Help
Accessible via a single click of the F1 key from with the Delphi IDE, this
reference resource explains the classes, methods, properties and events
which make up the product. It is also an excellent source of information
regarding installation, troubleshooting and version history.
5. Examples
There are a large number of example reports and reporting applications
included with RB. These show how to accomplish some of the most frequently
requested types of reports. In total there are probably over 200 different
examples covering everything from crosstabs to full-blown end-user reporting
solutions. The RAP functionality included with ReportBuilder Enterprise has
a separate set of demos, tutorials, and help files.
6. news.digital-metaphors.com
The newsgroups are very active with both Digital Metaphors engineers, TeamDM
members (volunteers specially selected for their knowledge of RB and their
willingness to help) and RB developers all pitching in to answer questions
and help each other out. There is also a Tech Tips 'newsgroup' maintained
by DM Engineers which lists over 100 different articles outlining various
tips and techniques. Probably the easiest way to connect to the newsgroups
is to surf the digital metaphors site, go to the support section and click
the newsgroup of your choice:
http://www.digital-metaphors.com/Subpages/Support/newsgroups.html
ReportBuilder newsgroup archives may be searched using a search engine
hosted by Tamarack Associates. Access the the following URL and then search
the Borland Newsgroup database. Tamarack has indexed the ReportBuilder
newsgroup archives in this database.
http://www.tamaracka.com/
7. ✉digital-metaphors.com
When you are working on the really advanced stuff, and need an additional
point of view, we're always glad to help.
--
Tech Support mailto:✉digital-metaphors.com
Digital Metaphors http://www.digital-metaphors.com
"newsgroups.borland.com" <✉interlog.com> wrote in message
news:447e1442$✉newsgroups.borland.com...
> We have been using Crystal Reports as our report engine for 5 years and we
> aren't happy with this even though they've fixed a lot since version 7.
> We think of switching to something else but because the way how we use
> reports is rather complex we need the report engine to be very flexible
> and sophisticated. We keep reports and their subreports information in the
> database (report name, report file name, database query, etc.) and have
> one generic code to take care of all our reports (about 110 altogether).
>
> As I can see there are three major report engines on the market today:
> Rave, Fast Reports and Report Builder.
> If some of them was able to do the following we would probably switch to
> it:
>
> 1. use the same generic code for all reports and select report by name (or
> somehow else) at runtime;
>
> 2. assign database queries (in some apps BDE, in some other - ADO) to the
> report and its subreports at runtime;
>
> 3. embed word, excel, .bmp or .jpg file into the report at runtime;
>
> 4. show in the report the image (.bmp, .jpg) taken from BLOB field;
>
> 5. export report into .pdf, word, excel, ascii when it is being generated
> and after it was generated;
>
> 6. manipulate data in the report during its generation: calculated fields,
> showing/hiding report sections depends on data;
>
> 7. spread records from left to right (similar to crosstab in Crystal -
> analogue to excel spread sheet).
>
> 8. design report without having actual data ready in the database.
>
>
> Thanks in advance, I appreciate any comments.
>
> Sincerely,
> Valery
>