Chapter 9. Turning Data into Information with SQL Server Reporting Services
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is one of SQL Server 2008's advanced features. SSRS provides database administrators and developers with a built-in mechanism for designing and publishing data-driven reports to end users. Microsoft gave SSRS a significant overhaul with the release of SQL Server 2008. Most notably, SSRS no longer requires Internet Information Server (IIS) as it did in earlier SQL Server versions. It's now a stand-alone service.
SSRS offers a wide variety of reporting functionality and is the subject of many entire books. In this chapter, I provide you with a basic introduction to SQL Server Reporting Services. I discuss how to set up and configure SSRS, create and publish a basic report, and manage SSRS reports.
Tip
If you're interested in learning more after reading this chapter, I suggest you read Professional SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services, by Paul Turley, Thiago Silva, Bryan C. Smith, and Ken Withee (Wiley Publishing, Inc.)
Setting up SQL Server Reporting Services
Before you can create and publish reports with SSRS, you need to configure it to meet the requirements of your business environment. You may do this using the Reporting Services Configuration Manager.
Tip
To use SQL Server Reporting Services, you must have it installed on your SQL Server instance. (I discuss installing SQL Server components in Chapters 1 and 2.) Follow these steps to set up SSRS:
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