Making It Easy to Add Jasper Reports Functionality

JasperReports can be defined as an open source reporting tool designed for Java. The tool is specifically designed to write for a wide range of targets that include screen, printers, PDF, MS Excel, HTML, ODT, XML files, RTF, values separated by commas and so on. The tool can also be utilized in various applications that are enabled by Java. The apps may also include Java EE or other web applications, for generation of dynamic contents. It also has the ability to read instructions from .jasper or XML files.

As JR is not a standalone tool, it is not possible to install it all by itself. Instead, you will have to embed it into any specific Java application, by the process of including the application library in its CLASSPATH.

Before going through the process of adding functionalities of the JR, let us go through the features thereof. The principle features that JasperReports come ups with include:

• Flexible layouts of reports.
• Ability of textual and graphical representation of data.
• Ability to help developers to supply data in a number of ways.
• Ability to accept data from a wide range of data sources.
• Ability to generate watermarks, which is like a secondary image that a primary image is covered by.
• Ability to generate subreports.
• The capability of exporting a wide variety of reports to different formats.

Report Generation

Generation of reports is pretty common, though it may be a tedious and at times, a time consuming task for the programmers. In the past, generation of reports has chiefly been restricted to the realm of large scale commercial products like Crystal Reports. However, at present, with the availability of open source report generating tools like JR, developers of Java get a credible alternative option, other than any commercial software.

Adding JasperReports functionalities

When it comes to adding JR functionalities, the first thing that needs to be understood is the objects that the tool uses for representing the process of reporting on its way to report generation from report designing.

JasperDesign: It represents the definition of a report. In most of the cases, Jasper Design can be created from an XML report template, although it can be created from the programmer's perspective.

JasperReports: It represents a compiled or collated JasperDesign. The process of collation itself verifies the report design and compilation of the same into a specific JasperReports object.

JasperPrint: It represents a generated report and can be created from JasperReports that can be populated with the data obtained from data source.

The flexibility of the API in JasperReports helps the user in loading objects of JasperDesign, JasperReports, as well as JasperPrint from a specific file or stream and create these objects programmatically. It is also possible to print reports to printers, images, as well as PDF files. The library comes up with a façade class, dori.jasper.engine.JasperManager along with various methods of filling, loading, compiling, as well as methods of printing reports.

Again, so far as printing reports is concerned, documents generated by JasperReports library can be printed out with the use of the net.sf.jasperreports.engine.JasperPrintManager class. Users can export the generated reports to other formats that may include PDF, HTML as well as XLS. Facade classnet.sf.jasperreports.engine.JasperExportManager is there to help users achieve this particular functionality. Exporting here denotes transforming the JasperPrint object (.jrprint file) into a different format.

In case of any real-world application, it is virtually not practicable to load or compile JasperDesign whenever there is any need of report generation. As the designs of these reports are mainly static, in the majority of instances, the users would require precompiling of the JasperDesign files, for increasing the speed. However, the speed of even larger reports can be increased by generating as well as saving objects of JasperPrint.

Open source JasperReports can, therefore, meet the demands and the needs of Java reporting in a great way. That is why, when it comes to building any reporting application or adding reporting capability to any existing application, JasperReports comes in extremely handy. Outsource reports Development to a company that has years of experince in Reporting services.

We provide Jasper reports software development services. If you would like to discuss with a certified Jasper reports developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Crystal Clear Future for Crystal Reports

Each organization wants to present information and data in a simple, clear and concise manner. Along with answering the what, whys and how, the reporting also need to target several types of audiences. So many professional explore the right reporting tool to convey the information in the most effective manner. An organization also has options to choose from a variety of online reporting tools to suit its specific needs.

In comparison to other reporting tools, Crystal Reports is hugely popular among users as an advance and feature-rich reporting software package. Both advanced programmers and novice users love to use the functionality filled reporting tool to avail certain benefits. Regardless of your level of experience, you can use the simple wizards to make a variety of reports, and impress your clients with your knowledge and presentation skills.

As a specially designed software package, Crystal Reports comes with features that allow users to create advanced and details reports within a few minutes. It retrieves data from all types of databases directly, and uses the information to make comprehensive reports. Once you learn and understand a few Crystal Reports basics, you can use the simple user interface to create both simple and complex reports. However, you have to learn and use some of the more advanced functionalities to make more detailed and elaborate reports. That is where a Crystal business reports development team comes into picture. Let us first try finding out the top reasons behind this craze for Crystal reports.

Reasons behind the Huge Popularity of Crystal Reports

• Connect to Any Data Source: Normally, a reporting tool retrieved information stored on a database, and use the data to create reports. So a developer often has to choose the reporting system based on the types and version of the database. But Crystal Reports enables you to make detailed reports by fetching information from a variety of data sources. Further, the end user can neither know the way the report is created nor modify the information presented through the report.


• Reduced Coding Work: Many reporting tools require software developers to write lengthy codes to retrieve and present information. But the report layout and graphically design data connections provided by Crystal Reports makes it easier for a developer to make several reports just in a few minutes. You can use the designer interface to select and link tables from several databases, and eliminate the need for writing additional codes.


• Option to Include Interactive Charts: The constant changes in the habits of modern people have made it essential for organizations to present the data in a stylish and interactive way. While creating reports, developers often find it a daunting task to target, and interact with several types of readers. Unlike conventional reporting tools, Crystal Reports offer certain features that make it easier for developers to create interactive reports. After fetching the information from various data sources, you can experiment with different formatting options. At the same time, you can easily incorporate charts and graphs to make the reports more interactive and engaging.


• Convert Reports into Several File Formats: Each user wants to access information in a specific file format. Some people want to read the information in a document format, whereas others like the spreadsheet format. So developers have to convert a report into several file formats to meet the varying choices of their clients. Crystal reports has made it easier for you to export the reports programmatically into some of the commonly used file formats. Once you create a report, the same can be easily converted into several file formats including .doc, .rtf, .xls, .html and .PDF. The feature further makes it easier to post the reports on your website without putting any extra efforts.


• Support for Major Technology Standards: The upgraded version of Crystal Reports allows user to make powerful report content in an object-oriented design environment. It also supports industry and technology standards like Object Linking and Embedding for Databases (OLE DB), Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), and Extensible Markup Language (XML). So you can easily make reports that will support all types of operating systems and devices. The same report can be accessed by the users on their computers, smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

If you are using web application using Microsoft Dot Net framework, you can avail the benefits of the report object model of Crystal Reports to make your reports interact with other controls. The reports can easily interact with several controls on ASP.NET Web form, and make it easier for you to use the form information to make robust reports.

We provide Reporting dashboard development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert Crystal reports designer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.