----------------------------------------- Article: Midas and End-User solution -----------------------------------------
Can Midas be used to build end-user reporting solutions?
The short answer is not currently. We plan on developing a solution for a future release.
When using Midas the client side uses a TClientDataSet. And you can certainly use TClientDataSet with ReportBuilder:
TClientDataset --> TppDBPipeline --> TppReport
Therefore any end-user solution would have to utilize TClientDataSet.
However, the are some other factors here...
1. The Report Explorer has to work with TClientDataSet. This has not been tested and will likely have issues because the TClientDataSet will need to be refreshed when a folder or item is added.
2. The Query Tools, available from the Data tab of the report designer, build SQL statements for query based TDataSet descendants such as TQuery, TADOQuery, TIBQuery and other products. TClientDataSet is not SQL based - although they can be connected to a data provider that is SQL based. So the issue here is that for every TClientDataSet created by via DADE, there would need to be a SQL based Provider on the server side.
In addition the Query Tools rely on communication with a Session (or Connection) object to a get list of available tables, fields, etc. from the database.
Query Wizard <--> DADE Plug-in
DADE Plug-ins are sets of classes that implement the above functionality for various database connectivity products such as BDE, ADO, IB Express, Direct Oracle Access, etc.
Our current thinking is that implementing 3 tier End-User reporting would require creating a DADE plug-in for the client side functionality plus a Server side API to handle requests for creating data providers and returning the available tables and fields.
Currently, Iam using the model above. Borland is going towards TClientDataset instead of the two tier model. So, it would be nice for Report Builder to come out with that 3 tier End-User Reporting model. With Linux version of RB, it would be more exciting to see it soon too. Again, Thank you....
Comments
Article: Midas and End-User solution
-----------------------------------------
Can Midas be used to build end-user reporting solutions?
The short answer is not currently. We plan on developing
a solution for a future release.
When using Midas the client side uses a TClientDataSet.
And you can certainly use TClientDataSet with ReportBuilder:
TClientDataset --> TppDBPipeline --> TppReport
Therefore any end-user solution would have to utilize TClientDataSet.
However, the are some other factors here...
1. The Report Explorer has to work with TClientDataSet. This has
not been tested and will likely have issues because the TClientDataSet
will need to be refreshed when a folder or item is added.
2. The Query Tools, available from the Data tab of the report designer,
build SQL statements for query based TDataSet descendants such as
TQuery, TADOQuery, TIBQuery and other products. TClientDataSet is
not SQL based - although they can be connected to a data provider
that is SQL based. So the issue here is that for every TClientDataSet
created by via DADE, there would need to be a SQL based Provider on
the server side.
In addition the Query Tools rely on communication with a Session
(or Connection) object to a get list of available tables, fields, etc.
from the database.
Query Wizard <--> DADE Plug-in
DADE Plug-ins are sets of classes that implement the above functionality
for various database connectivity products such as BDE, ADO, IB Express,
Direct Oracle Access, etc.
Our current thinking is that implementing 3 tier End-User reporting
would require creating a DADE plug-in for the client side
functionality plus a Server side API to handle requests for creating
data providers and returning the available tables and fields.
Remote DataModule Client
----------------- -----------------
AppServer Query Wizard <--> daRemoteSession
Cheers,
Jim Bennett
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com
info@digital-metaphors.com
Currently, Iam using the model above. Borland is going towards
TClientDataset instead of the two tier model. So, it would be nice for
Report Builder to come out with that 3 tier End-User Reporting model. With
Linux version of RB, it would be more exciting to see it soon too. Again,
Thank you....