Programming SQL Server 2005

Chapter 14. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)

SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services (SSRS) is a middle-tier server that provides a reporting environment running on top of Internet Information Services (IIS). You can build reports from any data source that has a .NET Framework-managed data provider, an OLE DB provider, or an ODBC provider. This lets you build reports based on relational, multidimensional, and XML data sources from a wide range of database servers. You can access a report by using a URL, the report viewer control in either a web or Windows application, or Report Server web services.

SSRS supports tabular, matrix, chart, and free-form report layouts—the layouts, together with graphical elements, can be combined in a single report if required. You can include links to additional information or to related reports and drill-down functionality. Reports can contain both mandatory and optional parameters. Ad hoc reporting is supported through use of Report Builder—a ClickOnce Windows application that is accessed through the URL http://<servername>/reportserver/reportbuilder/reportbuilder.application from the report server or from Report Manager.

SSRS supports a variety of output formats, including HTML 3.2, HTML 4.0, MHTML, PDF, XML, Excel, CSV, and Image (TIFF). SSRS automatically provides a navigation toolbar for those formats that support toolbars. Additionally, you can add document maps and bookmarks to facilitate navigation in large reports.

Three tools are provided for ...