?? Crystal Reports ??

[ChipRivers]

I am applying for a job for which the advert lists knowledge of 'Crystal Reports' as being preferable. I have not come across this package before and I was wondering if anybody here has used it and might be able to give me an overview of it and a basic introduction to what it is used for.

Many thanks.

[earner]

Well, on the basis that the job (requiring Crystal Reports) will be working with databases and data mining information, Crystal Reports is no different from any other front end report generating software.

It is just a piece of software that goes into a database and drags out the data you want in the format you want it displayed.

So it just does "all the usual" report writing and layout stuff, with the usual groupings, sub-groupings, maths (average, total, sub-total) abilities.

So, so long as you understand your database and data structure, you won't need to know how it works as it is intuitive.

Typical applications at the lowest level might be: "Go into the accounts software and produce us management reports, showing monthly, quarterly, yearly and overall figures for each of our regions, broken down into product sub-category. Sort them into date order and just give the overview figures (no details of each transaction)"

[webit]

Takes me back - I took did my Crystal Report training about 6 years ago. I agree with the above - Access reports is very similar - have a play. The key thing is to understand databases (i.e foreign keys, integrity, self joins, normalisation, design etc) and you should be OK.

Also - a total understanding of writing SQL by hand - including CRUD and sub querys.

[ChipRivers]

I am reasonabley competant at the basics of using PHP with MySQL and briefly with ColdFusion and MS Access so I have done quite a bit of work with data bases when I have dabbled in web design. I guess this will give me a good enough understanding of what Crystal Reports is working with and what it is doing with regards to SQL statements, it will just be a cause of working with a different control panel!

[earner]

You'll be fine then. It's all pretty much drag & drop off the menus.

Good luck with the job!

[R1chard]

Hi,

If you know databases as in understand tables, columns and linking then you've done the hard bit. Get Crystal Reports for Dummies, not a bad book and cheap. You'll need to know the version of Crystal.

Formulas can get tricky but basic reports will take you seconds to master.

If you get problems post them here and I might be able to help.