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