Create custom driver for proprietary database

[ABCprogrammer]

We have an application with an extensive amount of custom code running on a proprietary database. We'd like to open this database for use on Crystal Reports. Can anyone point me in the right direction for creating a custom data driver? Do I need a full ODBC driver? I've already found Dharma and Openaccess SDK's for that, but the price is rather high.

 

[synapsevampire]

You might pass datasets to Crystal and not need to open the database at all from within Crystal if you're integrating Crystal Reports into your app.

Of course you'd want to post your crystal version and the language used in your application.

At any rate, include your Crystal version with any post.

If you intend to use your proprietary database stirctly from within the Crystal application, then of ocurse you need a driver, but again it depends upon the version of your software.

How does the application hit the database?

Crystal can support numerous database connectivity options, OLE DB, JDBC, ODBC, etc.

Post technical information.

-k

 

[ABCprogrammer]

We haven't been using Crystal Reports because the data is not accessible. I assume we would use the current version XI. The database is written in 32-bit 80386 assembler code. A directory of data blocks is maintained in memory for quick access. There is a front end in VB6. I am familiar with interfacing between languages by using function calls and dll's. I am looking for a way to integrate Crystal into the app, so passing datasets might be the way to do it. Where is the SDK that explains this? Thanks.

 

[synapsevampire]

Still not sure what the app was written in, so check out:

http://support.businessobjects.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/apps_rdc.pdf

You can pass data as an ADO recordset.

-k

 

[ABCprogrammer]

OK, I think I'm getting it. The app has a user interface component in VB6. I can have the app send data (maybe plain text, tab-delimited) to the VB6 component. Then in VB I can create a CrystalDataObject, 'AddField' to it as needed for the report, and 'AddRows' for the data, and display it in the viewer. Am I on the right track? Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.