Anticlue

Accessing Data with Crystal Reports Designer

Reports and Data are dependent on one another. If there wasn’t data, there really wouldn’t be any reason to report. Reports are basic ways that people can get at their data in an understandable format.

Understanding Data and Data Sources

A Database is a place to manage data within your company. SQL is the programming language that allows one to perform operations on that data.

Most if not all database tools have some common components:

• SQL is the programming language.
• Tables are tasked with containing all of the data stored within a database.
• Views are for displaying the data in a customized format for easier usability. Views hide the unnecessary information from the user.
• Stored Procedures are pre-compiled queries, they are also used to set requested values which are passed into the query. For example a query that reports requested days of for each individual. A parameter would be the individual

Crystal Reports is an excellent tool for reporting data contained within a database.

There are a variety of database tools available. The types are very diverse on the low end, one can find MS access and on the high end there is Oracle. There are open-source databases, such as MySQL, and middle of the road, such as MS SQL. The most common thread across all database access is accessing the database.

With crystal reports there are two very common ways to access a database. One can directly connect through direct access or use Open Database Connectivity, ODBC.