Comparing Reporting Programs

I am developing an ASP.Net 2.0 application that will make heavy use of reports. The VisualStudio.Net 2005 Professional edition contains two reporting programs -- Crystal Reports and SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. Can anyone refer me to a white paper, technical article, book chapter, blog, etc. that compares the strengths and weaknesses of these two programs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Ken McLean

In my opinion SSRS, though far from perfect beats Crystal Reports. I will look up some references for you.

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Have a look at:

SQL Server Reporting Services 2005 XML extensions http://www.codeproject.com/KB/reporting-services/SSRS2005XML.aspx|||

Thanks a lot. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Ken McLean

Compact Edition not in Data Source List

After I installed the SQL Server Compact Edition, I start a new VS 2005 Basic project. When I try to create a new connection I do not see the Compact Edition in the list of data sources.

I have installed previously SQL Server CE, Everywhere, Mobile, 2005 Mobile but I uninstalled them all.

Can anyone give me an idea why I can't see the Compact Edition as a data source?

Thanks.

Hello

From what you'r saying maybe you need to re-install the SQL Server CE.
I have the same problem but it's because I'm using VB.NET Express Edition.

see ya

Compact Edition DVD Standalone

Is it possible to run SQL Server Compact Edition as a standalone application from a DVD?

i.e. it would not leave anything installed on the users computer after the DVD was ejected.

Hi:

For what it's worth, I am attempting the same thing: developing a product catalog that will enable users to browse products and configure order for printing. As my product is using Framework 2, I will simply have an autorun install the program since I have to check for the existence of the framework anyway.

Please post back your findings.

|||If both .Net CF2 and SQL Server 2005 are installed on the target system, you should be able to deploy the DLLs for SQL CE on the DVD.|||I do not believe there is a dependancy on SQL Server/.NET CF2 for a runtime SQL Server CE application - believe that there is only a dependency on VB6 runtime/.Net 1/1.1 runtime of .Net2.0 runtime (according the language the app has been written in. Plus of course the SQL CE Dlls on the DVD|||Make connection string like this:

"Data Source=".\MyDatabase.sdf";Password="MyPassword";mode="Read Only";SSCE:Temp File Directory = "C:\";"

This will use temporary database on c: disk if there's need to write temp data for queries.

On DVD/CD include these files in root:
Microsoft.SqlServerCe.Client.dll
sqlceca30.dll
sqlcecompact30.dll
sqlceer30EN.dll
sqlceme30.dll
sqlceoledb30.dll
sqlceqp30.dll
sqlcese30.dll
System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll

Now, this works for me, but I have requirement, not to write to C:, but to users temp folder.
Does somebody know how to change connection string to write into temp folder?