Chapter 6: Working with .NET Data

Overview

In the previous chapters, we focused on report integration and web services, but we need to go back and have a look at what lies underneath those reports - the data your report is based on and how Crystal Reports.NET uses this data.

In this chapter, we will be looking at the way Crystal Reports.NET works with different data sources and how it interacts with ADO.NET. This will include:

Understanding data access

Working with data sources

Creating SQL commands and expressions

Working with ADO.NET

At the end of this chapter, you will have an understanding of how Crystal Reports.NET interacts with different data sources, the options for working with these data sources, and using ADO.NET as a data source for your report development.