The Application Tier

Various applications dynamically create end-user pages, most typically in HTML. These applications are processed on an application server. In the past few years, the Enterprise application server market has consolidated dramatically, with two main camps now extant: the Microsoft .Net technologies and the Java technologies.

Crystal Enterprise provides a Software Development Kit in three formats for each of the three most popular development environments: COM, Java, and .Net. These allow an organization maximum flexibility in integrating Crystal Enterprise into its applications.

The COM CE-SDK includes a set of COM objects that interact with Crystal Enterprise via the Crystal Enterprise Framework. Typical installations that use the COM CE-SDK include a Crystal Enterprise Web Connector on each of the Web-server machines, and a Crystal Enterprise Web Component Server within the Crystal Enterprise Framework. A typical example of a COM technology is Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP) technology. When Crystal Enterprise is installed in a Windows environment, the basic applications such as the Web Desktop are written in Crystal Server Pages (CSP), a technology analogous with ASP, except that processing takes place within the Crystal Enterprise Framework on the Web Component Server.

The Java CE-SDK includes a set of Java classes that communicate with the Crystal Enterprise Framework. In a Java application server environment, no Web Connector (WC) or Web Component Service (WCS) is required. Instead the Java CE-SDK is processed on the Web application server, which communicates via the Java SDK directly with the Crystal Enterprise Framework. In addition, the Crystal Enterprise Web Component Adapter (WCA) installs on the Web application server and provides the capabilities that you expect from the WCS: CSP processing and specific application support.

Microsoft produces the .Net Framework. Applications written within the .Net Framework are supported by Crystal Enterprise via the .Net format of the CE-SDK. This SDK includes primary interop assemblies and visual development controls for visual application development in Microsoft Visual Studio .Net. In a .Net application, there is no WCS, WCA, or WC required, as the native .Net assemblies are loaded into the .Net framework and communicate with Crystal Enterprise via the COM SDK.

The current state of support for the CE-SDK is both a reflection of the marketplace and a reflection of the historical progression of Crystal Enterprise in response to the maturation of the Web server market. Because Crystal Enterprise was introduced before the Web application market had matured, Crystal Enterprise included its own application server: the WCS. Now that the Web server and Web application server markets have consolidated and matured, the WCS is gradually being replaced by the capabilities of those application servers. Generally, all custom applications should be developed using the technology that is most appropriate: the Java or .Net SDKs. Although COM technology is supported in Crystal Enterprise 10, with Microsoft's migration to .Net from COM, it is recommended that development take place in .Net over COM where possible.

Part I. Crystal Reports Design

Creating and Designing Basic Reports

Selecting and Grouping Data

Filtering, Sorting, and Summarizing Data

Understanding and Implementing Formulas

Implementing Parameters for Dynamic Reporting

Part II. Formatting Crystal Reports

Fundamentals of Report Formatting

Working with Report Sections

Visualizing Your Data with Charts and Maps

Custom Formatting Techniques

Part III. Advanced Crystal Reports Design

Using Cross-Tabs for Summarized Reporting

Using Record Selections and Alerts for Interactive Reporting

Using Subreports and Multi-Pass Reporting

Using Formulas and Custom Functions

Designing Effective Report Templates

Additional Data Sources for Crystal Reports

Multidimensional Reporting Against OLAP Data with Crystal Reports

Part IV. Enterprise Report Design Analytic, Web-based, and Excel Report Design

Introduction to Crystal Repository

Crystal Reports Semantic Layer Business Views

Creating Crystal Analysis Reports

Advanced Crystal Analysis Report Design

Ad-Hoc Application and Excel Plug-in for Ad-Hoc and Analytic Reporting

Part V. Web Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise

Introduction to Crystal Enterprise

Using Crystal Enterprise with Web Desktop

Crystal Enterprise Architecture

Planning Considerations When Deploying Crystal Enterprise

Deploying Crystal Enterprise in a Complex Network Environment

Administering and Configuring Crystal Enterprise

Part VI. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Reports Components

Java Reporting Components

Crystal Reports .NET Components

COM Reporting Components

Part VII. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise Embedded Edition

Introduction to Crystal Enterprise Embedded Edition

Crystal Enterprise Viewing Reports

Crystal Enterprise Embedded Report Modification and Creation

Part VIII. Customized Report Distribution Using Crystal Enterprise Professional

Introduction to the Crystal Enterprise Professional Object Model

Creating Enterprise Reports Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part I

Creating Enterprise Reporting Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part II

Appendix A. Using Sql Queries In Crystal Reports

Creating Enterprise Reporting Applications with Crystal Enterprise Part II



Special Edition Using Crystal Reports 10
Special Edition Using Crystal Reports 10
ISBN: 0789731134
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 341

Flylib.com © 2008-2020.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net