Server Side PDF Creation in ASP.NET - Ported program from Acc2003 2

[JAG14]

Hi All,

I've (nearly) sucessfully ported an Access Data Project to ASP.NET + SQL Server and have come upon a sticky one (NPI) with the PDF Creation element.
The Access ADP used PDF995 Free on the End User's system to create PDF's. I need to now create the same PDF's Server side in ASP.net and have the user download them.

Is there any easily available tools/code that I can use, or indeed can PDF995 be used in the same manner with ASP.NET?

Thanks in Advance!

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]
​

 

[jbenson001]

You will not be able to access files on the client PC from an ASP.NEt application. this is for security reasons. The 3rd party tool you are referring too, will have to be installed on the IIS server. Files will have to be saved to the server, and then downloaded from the server.

 

[jmeckley]

there are a number of 3rd party components for .net that can generate a pdf. since you are now working with an asp.net project you will need a license that is designed for the server, not client. something like a server or processor license. these are typically more expensive.

there are also some no cost options. Visual Studio comes with MS's report writer and crystal reports.

there is also the OSS project itextsharp which transforms xml to pdfs. itextsharp is the .net port of the java libary textsharp. the commands are supposed to be 1:1 so learning java, you know .net. there is not much documentation on the net. I believe manning, or some other publisher, has rights to the documentation, so you could pick up a copy of the book as a reference.

the spark view engine has a built-in pdf generator using itextsharp. this may come if handy if you go this route. I have heard that it's very unforgiving with syntax errors. no warnings, logs, exceptions. just a blank page. so debugging should be... fun

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[JAG14]

Thanks guys,

jbenson, I understand the clients pc security situation, but IF PDF995 can be installed on the server and save documents there, then that is pretty much all I need, as the client can then be directed to that page as a PDF for download/viewing.

Do you (or does anyone else) know the feasibility of this approach?

Jason, Thank you for your suggestions. If I may go off on a tangent here, Can Access Reports be ported to MS's Report Writer in ASP.NET/VS2008? Another challenge I face in this most painful of portings.....

Thanks again.

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]
​

 

[jmeckley]

I don't know. I don't use MS reports or Access.

Jason Meckley
Programmer
Specialty Bakers, Inc.

faq855-7190
faq732-7259

 

[jbenson001]

There are many examples on line on how to save files and retreive files from the server. A little Googling will get you a long way.

As for the porting of access to ms reports. I don't know what ms reports are, but from my experience in the past of converting access apps to asp.net, there will lots of rewriting code. There is no magic porting tool. Anyway, you are best off rewriting it anyway to really get to learn asp.net and whatever DB you are going to.

 

[JAG14]

jason, thanks anyway, your initial response was more than helpful

jbenson, I've already done most of the work on the port, 186 Forms!
The trouble i'm having is with converting the existing custom classes and modules into ASP.NET equivalents.
The DB is not a problem as it was an SQL server to begin with, connected to an Access Data Project.
The reports, may pose a challenge, but then I may simply fall back on good ol' Crystal Reports which can import from Access.

And Yes, THAT much I understand, 186 forms Access to ASP by itself was no mean feat!

Thanks again for your help guys, you rock!

[tt]'Very funny, Scotty... Now Beam down my clothes.'[/tt]
​

 

[jbenson001]

WOW, that's alot of forms to convert.
I think in your case I would agree and use Crystal, especially if that is what you are already using. It will also give you nice export options as well.