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Custom Data CLR Object?

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Report Designer (standalone)

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20 Answers, 1 is accepted

answered on 22 Mar 2012, 07:01 PM

I'll add a vote for alternative data sources.

It might be surprising to some, but SQL/RDBMS isn't the only database technology. I rarely even use relational databases anymore. Other options include Web Services, NoSQL offerings, Caché, Pick / MultiValue, XML, JSON, Excel, CSV, and anything we can plug into an Object DataSource, EF, DataSet, or strongly typed collection aggregated from multiple sources. I was really hoping for an end-user designer that had the same data source support as Telerik Reports for developers.

Sure, we can flatten out data via ETL into a supported relational datastore, and in desperation I really wouldn't mind that too much because it separates the OLTP server from the OLAP server. But when managers want their on-line reports they often don't want to have to wait for a transform/extraction into a near-line repository before they get their report.

As an alternative, if this offering can be re-branded or at least sold as a modified turnkey offering by Telerik developers, then perhaps via an API we might be able to plugin our own data source options for sale to specific vertical markets that Telerik can't reach directly. I wouldn't be selling to anyone who uses a SQL database - you guys can do that.

Following on to that - what about using a provider model where we Telerik developers can create our own data sources which can then be used by any user of this new offering? They get the report designer from Telerik and get the provider from those of us in the field who have crafted a platform-specific addon. Then we can just send people to Telerik to buy the designer and get their training/support, while we manage the data access and back-end integration. Personally I think this is the best model, rather than asking Telerik to support any specific data source as indicated above.

Thanks!

Accepted

answered on 13 Feb 2013, 10:49 PM

Thanks Steve, I did take a look at this page yesterday but have a couple of questions about its use.
Our report (as I understand the original poster's situation is as well) is bound directly to business objects.
eg. a report for an Order with OrderLines we might have the following code:

var order = new Order { Lines = new

Line[] { line1, line2, line3 } };

using (var orderReport = new

OrderReport(order))

{

var reportProcessor = new

ReportProcessor();

	// Render report etc....

}

For preview, we hook up a static Test order class, which provides a sample Order/Lines etc.
Ideally I want to be able to design the report using the standalone designer, but hooked up to the static "Test Data Provider" to be able to preview.
In the runtime we use the code as above to bind to our business objects.

Is this achievable with the standalone designer?
If need be I can spin up a simple solution using the "old" VS-based report designer to show you what I mean.

Regards,

Marcus

answered on 18 Feb 2013, 01:48 PM

Hi guys,

@Marcus: not sure what kind of runtime you talk about. Reports previewed in the report designer are executed in the context of the standalone report designer and its configuration is done through its config file. The designer is responsible for processing and rendering the report and allowing you to print and export it. Any code that would directly use ReportProcessor should not be part of assemblies referenced in the designer and if need be should be part of your actual application.

@Martin: What version of Telerik Reporting do you use? If your assembly is signed, then you should upgrade to the latest internal build where we have fixed an issue of loading signed assemblies and let us know if you're still having problems.

Kind regards,
Steve
the Telerik team

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answered on 05 Mar 2013, 09:24 AM

Hello Martin,

Where is the assembly that you are trying to load located? If it is not in the same directory as the executable, you will need use the <probing> Element to instruct the application where to search for your assembly (see Extending Report Designer).
We would suggest to upgrade your Reporting installation to Q1 2013, put the assembly next to the Report Designer executable and see if everything is loaded.

Kind regards,
Elian
the Telerik team

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answered on 21 Aug 2013, 11:31 AM

Hello,

I use Telerik Reporting quite some time. Now I look at the standalone Designer for the first time.

I put the designer in the Bin Folder of my Application and start it from there. Now I thought, that all my Objects Show up in the "Add ObjectDataSource Box". But the box is empty. (my Applications starts from the same Folder so all references should be fine) Where do they show up, or do I have to change the config file, or...? Or do the objects have to have some Special Attributes?

Actually I would like to bind to Interfaces so I can use the report programmatically - or at least bind to Plain CLR Objects and maybe Entity Framework Code First objects.

(My Telerik Version is Q2 2013)

thnaks for your time and kind regards from germany,
Markus

answered on 21 Aug 2013, 11:32 AM

Hello,

I use Telerik Reporting quite some time. Now I look at the standalone Designer for the first time.

I put the designer in the Bin Folder of my Application and start it from there. Now I thought, that all my Objects Show up in the "Add ObjectDataSource Box". But the box is empty. (my Applications starts from the same Folder so all references should be fine) Where do they show up, or do I have to change the config file, or...? Or do the objects have to have some Special Attributes?

Actually I would like to bind to Interfaces so I can use the report programmatically - or at least bind to Plain CLR Objects and maybe Entity Framework Code First objects.

(My Telerik Version is Q2 2013)

thanks for your time and kind regards from germany,
Markus