PROFESSIONAL CRYSTAL REPORTS FOR VISUAL STUDIO .NET, SECOND EDITION

What is this book about?
The addition of Crystal Reports 9.0 to Visual Studio .NET 2003 offers developers a reporting tool that allows you to turn almost any data into interactive, dynamic content through portals, wireless devices, and Microsoft Office documents. This code-intensive guide takes you step by step through developing reports and incorporating them into applications.
First, you gain a thorough understanding of how this version of Crystal Reports differs from previous versions and how it fits into the .NET platform. Then you begin creating reports and learn how to integrate them into both Windows and Web-based applications. You explore XML Web services, find out how to work with ADO.NET, and learn to use formulas and logic in your reports. Finally, you develop distributed reporting applications and discover how to deploy the applications you have created.
Packed with real-world examples of working applications, this comprehensive second edition provides a complete understanding of commonly used features, examples of integration with a variety of databases and platforms, and much more.
What does this book cover?
Here are some details on what you'll discover in this book:
Advanced report design
Methods for creating reports using the Expert
How to integrate reports into Windows and Web-based applications
Development and deployment of distributed reporting applications
How to create XML Report Web Services and work with ADO.NET
Tips for using parameters with Crystal Reports and customizing the report content at run-time
Options for working with different data sources
How to use the features contained in the properties, methods, and events associated with the Crystal Reports engine
Who is this book for?
This book is for programmers seeking a comprehensive guide to the functionality of Crystal Reports for Visual Studio .NET. You should have some experience with .NET and Visual Studio .NET. Some familiarity with Crystal Reports is helpful, although this update includes a large section on report design.

David McAmis is a Crystal Certified Consultant and trainer, living and working in Sydney, Australia as a partner in Avantis Information Systems. As a consultant for Avantis and on behalf of Crystal Decisions, David creates Windows, Web, and mobile applications incorporating Crystal technology across a wide number of platforms, databases, and ERP systems to deliver innovate solutions for common business problems.
In his varied career, he has held the roles of consultant, technical trainer, university lecturer, and consulting services manager and has served as vice-president of a software and services company in the United States. David holds a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems and is a Microsoft Certified Professional, as well as a certified trainer and consultant for numerous software products. David has been working with Crystal Reports since version 4.5 and is an active member of the beta and user group community and a self-confessed “raving fan.” In his career as a Crystal developer and trainer, he has traveled the world and taught over 800 students. You can reach him at dmcamis@hotmail.com.

Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Crystal Reports .NET Overview.
What Is Crystal Reports?
What Can You Do with Crystal Reports .NET?
How Is Crystal Reports .NET Different from Previous Versions of Crystal Reports?
Crystal Reports .NET Benefits.
Installing Crystal Reports .NET.
Learning from Sample Applications.
Summary.
Chapter 2: Getting Started with Crystal Reports .NET.
The Sample Files.
Planning Your Report Design.
Creating a Crystal Report.
Working with the Report Design Environment.
Report Design Basics.
Summary.
Chapter 3: Designing Reports.
The Sample Files.
Creating a New Report.
Working with Databases and Tables.
Working with Groups.
Record Sorting.
Working with Summaries.
TopN/Group Sorting.
Using Running Totals.
Using Cross-Tabs.
Working with Charts.
Working with Subreports.
Working with Parameter Fields.
Optimizing Report Performance.
Summary.
Chapter 4: Report Integration for Windows-Based Applications.
Obtaining the Sample Files.
Planning Your Application.
Determining the Correct Object Model.
Understanding the CrystalDecisions.Windows.Forms Namespace.
Using the Crystal Report Viewer for Windows Forms.
Customizing the Appearance and Behavior of the Report Viewer.
Summary.
Chapter 5: Report Integration for Web-Based Applications.
Obtaining the Sample Files.
Planning Your Application.
A Brief History of Crystal Web Development.
Exploring the Development Environment.
Determining the Correct Object Model.
Understanding the CrystalDecisions.Web Namespace.
Using the Crystal Report Viewer for Web Forms.
Customizing the Appearance and Layout of the Report Viewer.
Summary.
Chapter 6: Creating XML Report Web Services.
Obtaining the Sample Files.
XML Report Web Services Overview.
Creating XML Report Web Services.
Consuming XML Report Web Services.
Deployment Considerations.
Summary.
Chapter 7: Working with .NET Data.
The Sample Files.
Data Access with Crystal Reports .NET.
Working with Datasources.
Working with SQL Commands and Expressions.
Working with ADO .NET.
Summary.
Chapter 8: Formulas and Logic.
Integrating Formulas and Logic into Your Reports.
Working with the Formula Editor.
Creating Formulas with Basic Syntax.
Creating Formulas with Crystal Syntax.
Creating Record Selection Formulas.
Working with Conditional Formatting.
Summary.
Chapter 9: Working with the Crystal Reports Engine.
Obtaining the Sample Files.
Understanding the CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine Namespace.
Customizing Reports Using the Report Engine.
Customizing Report Fields at Run Time.
Summary.
Chapter 10: Distributing Your Application.
Distribution Overview.
Getting Started.
Basic Deployment Requirements.
Deploying Windows Applications.
Deploying Web Applications.
Summary.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting.
Appendix B: Migrating Applications to Crystal Reports .NET 2003.
Appendix C: Crystal Syntax versus Basic Syntax.
Index.