ms sqlserver7

[phil1234]

Is crystal reports the best reporting tool to use with sqlserver7? More specifically - I have tried using access for reports but this brings sqlserver to its knees. Will I solve this problem by investing in crystal reports?

Thanks

 

[dcm]

phil1234: I am of course biased but I believe Crystal to be an excellent choice for reporting against mssql7. Take care to build your data extracts in the most efficient way however - Crystal will support the use of stored procedures and scripts to boost performance David C. Monks
david.monks@chase-international.com

http://www.chase-international.com

Accredited Seagate Enterprise Partner

 

[EscapeUK]

I have used Crystal a lot and it is very good compared to say accessing Crystal via MS-Access.

There are a few weeknesses but I guess all apps have them. However the one I do find most frustrating is the parameter limitations. Also beaware I have also found out Crystal does not like the type varchar. You can display a varchar field on the report but not use it in if statements. I also find Seagate very difficult to deal with sometimes.

...but on the whole its a very good app.

 

[MalcolmW]

The varchar issue only applies to varchars that are defined with a field length of 254 and above. SCR treats them as "memo" fields when they get to that size, and little can be done with them in formulas.
Because SQL Server allows easy development and deployment of stored procedures, and SCR supports the use of parameters with stored procs, you can achieve excellent performance (limited only by your own SQL coding abilities - no one to blame anymore!).
You'll need the professional or developers edition of SCR to access SQL Server. Good luck. Malcolm