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Interbase Reports

edited October 2002 in Datapipelines
I've tried to create a report using dbPipeline and Interbase components
without any success.
What is the suggested approach.? We use Interbase Express for our
Interbase access with IB6.5 and Delphi 6. We just bought ReportBuilder.

Thanks
Patrick

Comments

  • edited October 2002

    Welcome to ReportBuilder. :)

    ReportBuilder supports any TDataSet descendant and we have customers using
    just about every data connectivity solution out there. There is not enough
    info here for me to determine what type of issue you are encountering.

    In general you connect data to the report as shown here:

    TDataSet --> TDataSource --> TppDBPipeline --> Report

    Likewise each data-aware component can be connected to a DBPipeline as well.

    I recommend that you spend some time with the Developers Guide. I contains
    excellent conceptual info and tutorials for learning the fundamentals of the
    product. Once you learn the fundamentals you can save yourself much time and
    frustration. The demos that are installed with RB use Paradox but all of
    them could be converted to work with IB, just by changing the datasets.

    Here is a list of resources for learning RB...

    ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Article: Resources for Learning ReportBuilder
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Learning ReportBuilder is a complete learning system designed to teach
    end users how to build a range of reports, but it is also an excellent
    resource for the developer who is just getting started with RB. Learning RB
    includes a 125-page PDF file, a stand-alone application complete with a
    database, and a help file. The PDF file contains a set of tutorials, which
    can be completed using the provided application. Learning ReportBuilder can
    be downloaded from:

    http://www.digital-metaphors.com/LearnRB/LearnRB.exe


    2. Developer's Guide

    When you install RB, this guide is automatically installed into the
    RBuilder\Developers Guide directory. It contains extensive conceptual
    information and step by step tutorials which show how to construct reports
    and reporting applications within the context of the Delphi IDE.


    3. On-Line Help

    Accessible via a single click of the F1 key from with the Delphi IDE, this
    reference resource explains the classes, methods, properties and events
    which make up the product. It is also an excellent source of information
    regarding installation, troubleshooting and version history.


    4. Examples

    There are a large number of example reports and reporting applications
    included with RB. These show how to accomplish some of the most frequently
    requested types of reports. In total there are probably over 200 different
    examples covering everything from crosstabs to full-blown end-user reporting
    solutions. The RAP functionality included with ReportBuilder Enterprise has
    a separate set of demos, tutorials, and help files.


    5. news.digital-metaphors.com

    The newsgroups are very active with both Digital Metaphors engineers, TeamDM
    members (volunteers specially selected for their knowledge of RB and their
    willingness to help) and RB developers all pitching in to answer questions
    and help each other out. There is also a Tech Tips 'newsgroup' maintained
    by DM Engineers which lists over 100 different articles outlining various
    tips and techniques. Probably the easiest way to connect to the newsgroups
    is to surf the digital metaphors site, go to the support section and click
    the newsgroup of your choice:

    http://digital-metaphors.com/rbuilder/support.html


    6. support@digital-metaphors.com

    When you are working on the really advanced stuff, and need an additional
    point of view, we're always glad to help.



    --
    Tech Support mailto:support@digital-metaphors.com
    Digital Metaphors http://www.digital-metaphors.com


    --
    Nard Moseley
    Digital Metaphors
    http://www.digital-metaphors.com

    Best regards,

    Nard Moseley
    Digital Metaphors
    www.digital-metaphors.com
  • edited October 2002
    Nard,
    Thanks for all the info. I realize my message was short and lacking, but I
    decided to just ask what to do.
    This morning I worked my way up from an IBTable to an IBQuery to an
    IBClientDataset (which did not work). Now I'm getting the same message I got
    yesterday.
    "Cannot generate report.
    Could not open Dataset.: DBPipeline1."

    I can go to the Data table and "Preview" the data, which displays the data. If I
    switch from the Data to the Preview tab, I get the message. Any idea what's
    wrong here?

    That's my question. But for your other information, let me comment:
    I bought in hardcopy both the Learning and Developers books, and have spent time
    with both, as well as the online help. They are good, but I don't find them
    excellent - about like the message above. They focus on the reporting
    components. I'm sure I can figure those out. But they use Tables, which is not
    an acceptable solution for my Client-Server Interbase application. The only
    reference to "Interbase" in the index points me to an "End-User reporting"
    solution, which I would call a non-standard term, which is not defined in the
    Guide, but I don't think it's what I am trying to do.
    But, thanks for all the information. If I didn't have it, I would be glad to get
    it. My posting to you comes after exhausting all of the resources you mention.
    So if you have any insight into the meaning of the message I would appreciate
    that.
    Thanks,
    Patrick Moloney


  • edited October 2002
    Nard,
    After several more hours of working at it I have some information.
    1. Learning Page 22 - "In order to use the Data Tree, you must first select data by
    creating a dataview." Incorrect. (I think I was using the Query Wizard to create a
    dataview when I already had fields displayed in the Data Tree.)
    2. I seem to have had to close the Data Tree to get the Query Wizard to work
    properly.
    3. I closed the active Interbase project and started a new project with Paradox
    tables and BDE. The Data Tree displayed the fields from the demo Paradox Customer
    table. But when I selected the Query Wizard it presented the tables from my
    Interbase Database. I tried changing settings with no success. I closed Delphi,
    re-opened it and did the same thing with success. Something in the Query Wizard or
    the Data Tree is holding the list of database names even when a project is closed -
    at least for Interbase.
    4. When using the Query Wizard, I finished with 2 objects in the Data Tree - not 1
    as the Learning book illustrates. I have the dbPipeline and my table or query wizard
    result. But from Interbase my dbPipeline has no fields. That's why I get the error
    message.

    I suspect one or more bugs in the Query Wizard at least for Interbase data. I think
    I can get successful reports if I avoid the Query Wizard. I haven't tried the Query
    Designer for this.
    Obviously, I would like to see it working well. I am using version 7.0.

    Thanks,
    Patrick Moloney
    patrick@sandrocksoftware.com



  • edited October 2002

    Sounds like a problem with the DataTree not being updated when you use the
    Query tools.

    1. Try pressing the right mouse button over the DataTree tool window. Then
    select the Refresh option.

    2. E-mail the exact steps to recreate the problem to
    support@digital-metaphors.com so that we can research it. Include
    information as to whether this occurs with the data tree docked, undocked or
    both.

    Sorry if I misunderstood your original question. (Issues such as this one
    are not specific to Interbase so I was thrown off a little.)


    Hope this helps...

    --
    Nard Moseley
    Digital Metaphors
    http://www.digital-metaphors.com



    Best regards,

    Nard Moseley
    Digital Metaphors
    www.digital-metaphors.com
This discussion has been closed.