Report data sources

Seagate Crystal Reports provides three different data types:

• Database (which includes ODBC and SQL data sources)
• Query
• Dictionary.

Database

In the Report Experts, choose the Database option to report on any of the standard (not client-server) PC databases, or any SQL or ODBC data sources.

Typically, the standard PC databases are those whose data and all software used to access that data are on a single machine. Seagate Crystal Reports can access many of the most common PC database formats directly; the program has built-in capabilities to directly open database files and tables designed in Microsoft Access, dBASE, FoxPro, Clipper, Btrieve, and Paradox, among others. Once the program is installed on your system, you can immediately begin creating reports based on these databases by selecting the appropriate file.

See Accessing Data Sources.

Structured Query Language (SQL) databases are perhaps the most popular and most powerful database formats. They usually work over a client/server network architecture and use:

• an SQL server to create, store, and manipulate database files, tables, fields, and records
• an SQL client interface, allowing workstation users to retrieve data.

See Using SQL and SQL databases.

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard developed by Microsoft through which many different types of data can be accessed by a single application. An application need only communicate with one set of ODBC files to instantly be able to work with any source of data that can be accessed by ODBC.

Seagate Crystal Reports provides direct drivers for many of the most popular SQL systems, and ODBC capabilities as well.

The Database option was chosen for the Quick start for new users, because the sample data, Xtreme.mdb, is a Microsoft Access database.