dynamic xml datasource in CRXI

[lyu]

Hi, guys, here is my problem. I already have a jsp website, now I want to generate some reports whose data are taken from my jsp website. (The database only has raw data, and after after complicated calculation, my jsp page shows the end metrics. I once tried to put all the calculation into stored procedure so that my report can be based on the stored procedures, and then found it too difficult and ugly,recursive program, so I guess it would be best if I could read the data directrly from my jsp page.)

I don't know how to do it yet, I noticed that CR can take xml as datasource. So I guess that I could let my jsp page put all the metrics into a xml file, and let CR read the file as datasource. The ideal scenario would be the following:

1.A report contains one parameter ID, and its datasource is something like

http://mywebsiteServer/report.jsp?id=

2. When a user chooses ID=17, then it calls report.jsp?id=17, the jsp file then run all the calculation logic and returns all the final numbers in a xml format.
3. My report reads the xml file.

Can anyone here tell me is this possible in CR? I am using CRXI, especially how to pass the parameter, or other work arounds that can get the similar result?

Thanks a lot!!!!!
So can anyone here tell me how I can put a dynamic xml file as datasource? Thanks a lot!!!

 

[ebutter]

lyu
I'm not much of a developer, but I've had some recent experience reporting off xml. With V9 you've got two driver alternatives--ODBC, which you will find written about in the help files, or ADO.NET. The later is much stronger though you should be aware that you will need some support dll's etc.

Be forwarned that this is no simple task. The drivers have issues, you may need to write schemas to imbed in your xml, and there are many many small problems that you will encounter as Crystal tries to make believe that your xml is relational data.

If you go this route I'll try to check back for your questions.

ebutter