I'm writing desktop app in c# and I need some free reporting system.
Any suggestions?
EDIT:
I'm using SQLite as DB.
views:
720answers:
8
+5
A:
SQL Server Reporting, which can be downloaded as part of SQL Server Express 2008.
Nick Berardi
2009-09-08 14:56:05
Too bad he's using SQLite.
Will
2009-09-08 15:06:33
Yeah it was nice of him to down vote me, when he didn't specify he was using SQLite in the first place. :)
Nick Berardi
2009-09-08 15:10:04
Yeah, I think its bad taste for askers to downvote answerers...
Will
2009-09-08 15:41:55
Doesn't matter if he is using SQLite, he can still download and use SQL Server Reporting.
mson
2009-09-08 16:07:01
+1 for mson - we use SQL Server Reporting Services in our product that uses an Access database for data storage just fine.
tomfanning
2009-09-08 16:15:35
My application runs on machines with very little RAM (256 MB).This is one of the reasons why I chose SQLite, and not SQL Express. I do not want to launch unnecessary services if I do not have to.
šljaker
2009-09-08 17:50:55
@Nick, I didn't down vote you
šljaker
2009-09-08 17:59:54
Wow, nice, SSR works with other databases? Nice.
Will
2009-09-08 19:07:45
@šljaker - SSRS is different from SQL Express - neither requires the other to be installed. You just need the redistributable components (i.e. ReportViewer) on the developer machine, that is all. We populate our reports using generic collections of objects. Obviously these collections can be created based on whatever data source you want. Don't go thinking that SSRS can directly connect to random arbitrary databases... you do have *some* work to do here!!
tomfanning
2009-09-09 11:52:37
+1
A:
Crystal Reports has been available to windows developers as a free reporting system since VB6 (if I'm not mistaken). Free to redistribute and use.
Will
2009-09-08 14:59:15
Aside from your answer truly is a valid response, I still want to DV you for bring up Crystal!
Chris Marisic
2009-09-08 15:02:13
@Chris--while crystal is the bane of many a developer, its free and ready to use.
Will
2009-09-08 15:03:37
I've heard so many horror stories about crystal, I'm so glad I've never had to use it. I mean come on who would think embedding the connection string to the report server INSIDE the report was smart.
Chris Marisic
2009-09-08 15:06:02
We tried using free Crystal for an in-house project, and it went poorly, primarily because we had strange paper sizes we wanted to print reports to. Crystal Reports works okay, just as long as you don't try to do things with it that are marginally documented, I guess.
sheepsimulator
2009-09-08 15:25:50
There are some odbc connectors for sqlite floating around... "other" may have been an unfortunate choice of word.
Will
2009-09-08 15:43:29
Crystal Reports is an awful beast. DO NOT USE IT. It's one of those products that should have died a long time ago, but lingers because as P.T. Barnum says... there is a sucker born every minute - too bad they often are in deciding role...
mson
2009-09-08 16:09:24
In what way is Crystal Reports free? The server license is well over 5k and they nickle and dime you to death as well. Also, consultants that configure server and reports for Crystal are very expensive because the tool is arcane and the training is expensive. We have to pay our CR writere $1500/day...
mson
2009-09-08 16:15:40
I do not want to buy PRO version of Visual Studio just for reports.If someone will later maintain the code, why would he have to buy the licensed Visual Studio? Reporting service must work with the Express version
šljaker
2009-09-08 17:56:24
Holy shit the OEM is free, ffs. Let's talk about apples/apples here. Asker didn't say jack shit about a server environment.
Will
2009-09-08 19:03:11
You don't want to buy PRO version then you'd better find a free report writing package that doesn't come with any plugins/templates for VS. I'm sure they are out there.
Will
2009-09-08 19:04:11
That's what I was looking for. You assumed that I use SQL Server and VS PRO =)
šljaker
2009-09-09 07:26:17
+1
A:
Hi,
Not all the versions of Crystal Reports runtime are redistributable as free. The one that is 2005 redistributable is the free one but to create reports you need Visual Studio 2005 professional version or above.
But Crystal reports is a good choice for reporting in C# .Net.
Kalpak
2009-09-08 15:02:12
OEM redistributable is included with VS Pro. They do offer a pay version with more features, better designer etc.
Will
2009-09-08 15:04:39
We have created a layer of abstraction using C# over the database so we don't write queries in the report designer instead provide generic lists as datasource to the report which makes the database independant.
Kalpak
2009-09-08 15:28:19
+1
A:
They have a small overview of some open-source reporting tools at csharp-source.net:
Zenuka
2009-09-08 15:02:20
A:
While it's not free but since you brought up your working with Visual Studio Express, a cheaper option than upgrading to a full copy of Visual Studio is Telerik Reporting.
I haven't used it yet but I've had alot of success with their controls in the past and just had my workplace purchase the license that includes all the control and the reporting and at some point I'll be using Telerik reporting personally.
Chris Marisic
2009-09-08 15:04:54
+1
A:
Depends on what exactly you expect from a reporting engine but there is some reporting support embedded in SharpDevelop (SharpDevelop Reports) that can also be used as stand alone.
It is licensed under LPGL, but doesn't provide any charting capabilities.
Frank Bollack
2009-09-08 15:19:41
+1
A:
http://www.gotreportviewer.com/
The stand alone reporting version of the SQL server report services (SSRS) can be used. It does not require SQL server and comes with visual studio. It works pretty good. It is free and I believe it does not have to be licensed in order to release it with your app but research this before doing so.
Tony
2009-09-08 15:51:17
@Will this is irrelevant - works fine regardless of underlying database.
tomfanning
2009-09-09 11:53:27
A:
I understand the desire to stay inexpensive and would vote for SSRS in addition to your SQLite implmentation. However, the Dundas product is fantastic...
I'm not sure who controls the purse strings, but you can make some flashy displays/reports/dashboards with Dundas. We software developers often focus on the code - it's beauty, it's elegance, it's terseness. We often forget that sales drive the existence/continuance of the product. And sales is driven by - ooh, look at that shiney thing!
mson
2009-09-08 16:13:06