Language: A Way to Communicate

At first glance, the name Report Definition Language (RDL) might appear to be a misnomer. As you've already seen, it is nothing more than an XML document, just like any other XML document. Why would they call this a language? After all, there is no compiler necessary and the syntax is nothing like C++, C#, or any other programming language. To answer this, you need to think of things at a bit higher level than most programming paradigms allow.

Remember, one of the goals of SSRS is to remain an open -ended environment.

Likewise, as you have already seen, SSRS is composed of many different components. Figure 3.1 (found in Chapter 3, "Reporting Services Architecture") provides a graphical overview of the different components of SSRS.

There is the database server, the Windows service, the Report Server Web Service, and so on.

Most importantly, at least from an end- user perspective, are the report designers and the rendering engine. As you have seen, Microsoft already offers two designersReport Designer and Report Builder.

Both designers use the same rendering engine, and even within this engine there are multiple formats. For all of this to work together seamlessly, all these components need to communicate with the same underlying principles. This is where the common language comes in to playit is simply a common way to communicate instructions between the various entities.