RDC 2

[Fursten]

Hi,

Is it possible to use RDC to call an existing report and to work with is object model without including the report or any designer inside the code?

Thank you

 

[JoeCrystal]

Yes you can use the RDC object model with out the designer or report include in your code. If you want to view the report from you application you will need to include a Crystal Viewer control.

 

[userr]

Hi,

But will I be able to get full control hover the report with RDC despite the report isn´t inside the application... for instance...will I be able to use RDC events?

That viewer control you are talking... as anything to do with the Crystal OCX?

Are there good examples about using RDC?

Thank you

 

[JoeCrystal]

No you do not get the control of formatting events that you get with the report integrated in your code.

The viewer is not part of the OCX. It is a separate control. If you look under the project controls in VB you should see it listed.

There a numerous sample files Seagate web site.

 

[Fursten]

Hi,

Well I use that control...I put it in a Form. However it is with that control that I manipulate my independent report. I think that control is the OCX... because it have some methods to pass parameters and formulas to the report.

So, it seems that to use RDC and to be able to get references to reports and use RDC events I need to put the designer inside my application.... so the report will always be compiled with the application... This seems very inflexible, right?

Thank you

 

[JoeCrystal]

Using the RDC Object Model gives you more control than using the OCX. The properties and methods exposed by the OCX are exactly a subset of those exposed by RDC. RDC allows to pass parameters and formula etc. and more than OCX allows.

If you want formatting events you have to go via the route of integrating you report via the ICRDesigner. Yes that may be inflexible.

 

[AndrewBaines]

You can use the formatting events even when the report is external.
Still using the rdc, you use set report:
Set crRep = crApp.OpenReport(repFilename)

Then just use the format event as you would if you were using the embedded designer.

You need to stop using the old OCX. It hasn't been updated since CR6 and has now been dropped in CR9. Andrew Baines
Chase International

http://www.chase-international.com

 

[Fursten]

Hi,

AndrewBaines what does you mean with: "...has now been dropped in CR9". Does this only means that CR9 doesn´t bring the OCX or that, despite that, we will not be able to connect to a CR9 report with a older OCX (for instance that that comes with CR8)?

Thank you!

 

[AndrewBaines]

CR9 has a new file format - CR9 will still run old reports, but CR9 reports will not run in older versions.

The only Win32 developer option in CR9 to use the RDC.

The old OCX and Automation server are gone - if you're using the OCX now, you will have to change to move to CR9.

The old CRPE32 interface is still supported but no new features have been added.

I'd see this as a good move on Crystal's part as they can focus their testing and development on just one area. The new RDC is very good. Andrew Baines
Chase International

http://www.chase-international.com

 

[JoeCrystal]

Andrew

Where do you see the section formatting events when you use the RDC without the embedding the designer.

 

[AndrewBaines]

Sorry, looks like I'm wrong. I though you could bind a crEventInfo to the report - I can't see how to.

Andrew Baines
Chase International

http://www.chase-international.com

 

[Fursten]

Hi again,

So, using RDC I really need to put my report inside the application. Is this our conclusion?

Thank you

 

[JoeCrystal]

The RDC is the object library you can use this without embedding your reports or the Crystal Designer. However, if you want to use the section formatting events you will have to embedded Crystal Designer.

 

[TheFiddler]

Has RDC access to the object model been improved in version 9?
I wrote a program that uses the 8.5 RDC to create a crystal report on the fly from user entered parameters. I stopped because access to the formulas was limited in 8.5, among other limitations.

 

[AndrewBaines]

CR9 is a long way ahead of CR8.5. You appear have full access to everything - conditional formatting etc. You still have to pay extra for using the runtime report creation though. Andrew Baines
Chase International

http://www.chase-international.com