Chapter 3. Accessing Your Data

The first step in creating a report is always to identify a data source. Although much of the complexity of the database and the interaction with it is hidden by Crystal Reports, effective report developers will understand their data and how to bring it into Crystal Reports.

In this hour, we will discuss the following topics:

  • Types of Data Sources

  • Introduction to the Data Explorer

  • Database Objects

  • Linking

Understanding the Different Types of Data Sources

Crystal Reports was originally designed as an add-on reporting package for an accounting program. However, it was its expansion into the world of mainstream data sources that led to its current popularity. Today, Crystal Reports supports more than one hundred different ...

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