Ivan, thanks for the example. If that's similar to what Trent is doing, I'll head down that path. Otherwise I wouldn't mind seeing what Trent has done, even if it's not a polished sample.

-Larry

We have not created a robust sample yet.  However, we are full planning on doing this and including it in the next update.  I have sent several small and uncomplete samples around, so if you are in a rush I will find one and send it your way.  Otherwise, if you have a week or two, then you may want to wait so you can see a better sample. 

Following a recommendation of Ricardo Quartier (Brazil), I analyzed the package of development of the Perpetuum Software. They are really adjusted to our necessities of integration with StrataFrame applications. (*)

(*)by AltaVista - Babel Fish Translation

Rogério

http://blog.licitec.com.br

Rogério Mauri

---

Hi Larry.

I'm currently using Sharp-Shooter. I bet the guys will post a sample, but this might get you going.

I assume you have donwloaded and installed the trial (http://www.perpetuumsoft.com/)

To use a SF Business Object as a datasource:

Public Class MyBOReportBBS
    Inherits MicroFour.StrataFrame.Business.BusinessBindingSource
#Region " Constructors "
    ''' <summary>
    ''' Default Constructor
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <remarks></remarks>
    Public Sub New()
        Me.BusinessObject = New MyBO()
    End Sub
#End Region
#Region " Public Methods "
    ''' <summary>
    ''' Populate the data source
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <remarks></remarks>
    Public Sub Fill()
        If Not Me.DesignMode Then
            CType(Me.BusinessObject, MyBO).FillTop100()
        End If
    End Sub
#End Region
    
End Class

Now, that will be your datasource. Of course, it is just a sample, you can grow from there. I'm usually inheriting the BO first, and then wrapping it with the BBS, so if I need to do anything specific to the report, I will do it in the inherited BO.

After that, on a form, drop a Report Sharp-Shooter ReportManager. Also drop your MyBOReportBBS.

Double click your ReportManager and on the Reports Tab, Add a new InlineReport. On the Data sources Tab, add a new data a new data source, name it as you wish.

Back on your Reports Tab, click the InlineReport you created and click Run Designer. Go to File / New and create a new Standard Report.

In the Standard Wizard, click on the Plus sign and add a DataSection. On the right, you will find a Data Source textbox, click the ... button an choose yours. Add the fields and play with it.

Hope I could make some sense with this...

Any progress on a sample of what you derived from BusinessBindingSource to work with Report Sharp-Shooter? I'm currently using Active Reports 2.0 and I thought I should take a look at the alternatives before upgrading to 3.0

-Larry

Hi Ben, Thanks for you reply.

 

Crystal report gives you a free runtime license for distribution on “Thick Clients” when the engine is installed along with the app. This changes in a server/web scenario. So I’ll go this route to initially cut cost since my app will initially run as a “thick client” but eventually I’m looking at making it a SaaS smart app so I'll probably look into purchasing Report-Shooter that you guys recommended.

 

Here is the licensing information for Crystal Report if others need it:

http://www.businessobjects.com/products/reporting/crystalreports/net/licensing.asp

 

And yes I’m looking at purchasing DevExpress in part because you can buy it peace meal cutting my upfront expenses plus they include their XtraEditors Library with some control so that just makes it more tempting.

 

Thanks again, JC

Aye, it does stack up rather quickly. 

As for your Crystal Reports question, yes, you can probably accomplish everything you need to with Crystal Reports, but I think the reason that we avoided using them was because when Trent looked into it, they have a runtime licensing component... so you have to pay to distribute it to your users.  I'm not positive on that, but I'm pretty sure.

On a lighter note, with .NET several tools developers package several components into one package, for example, DXperience (DevExpress suite) contains reporting, controls, and a grid all in one package.  So, if you do your research and buy right, you can save yourself a little bit of money.

I’m in the process of not only learning VS 2005 and .Net but also SF. One thing I’ve found myself doing by reading these posts is making a list of other tools for my transition to this platform, one is a report writer. Coming from MS Access report writing was and is an easy and powerful tool.

 

My question is do I really need a 3rd party tool to get the same power or can I accomplish this by using VS 2005’s crystal report?

 

I’ve also noticed that I may also need a better data grid, deployment tool, help developer, etc. and It seems to be adding up…so much for a quick and painless transition.

We looked at ActiveReports.NET in great depth as this was the engine we were probably going to go with until we found Report-Shooter.  It tied into the same data sources as Report-Shooter very well using a BBS...however, it is much more complicated to get the entire report engine for your application off of the ground.  It is a very good report-engine though, it just did not have all of the bells and whistles that Report-Shooter did...especially for the price!

Absolutely.  We actually created a data source that inherits the BusinessBindingSource then it automatically exposes and attaches the BO.  Using this approach you can also include child records as collections (properties exposing another BBS data source).  So this has turned out to be a very good solution for us.

Yes.  We have just been extremely busy as I am sure that you can relate.  We do plan on creating a reporting sample showing how to create the data sources as well as use Report Shooter.

I am at a point where I am considering to move to Report Shooter.

I found the post very helpful however your reference activereports appear to be the RDL version. How do you compare the integration of SF with ActiveReports.Net 3.0? My product uses the report designer and it is a little tough for the user to build reports.

Do you find attaching to the business objects easier to accomplish using report shooter?

Also, are you still planning to release samples?

By the way, the prices is much lower. 

Michael