ActiveReports allows you to use scripting to provide more functionality to reports without using .vb or .cs files. Scripting permits reports saved to an RPX (report xml) file to contain code. This characteristic allows the options of stand-alone reporting and web reporting without requiring .vb or .cs files. By including scripting when the report is saved as an RPX file, it can later be loaded, run, and displayed directly to the viewer control without using the designer. In conjunction with RPX files, scripting allows distributed reports to be updated without recompiling.

Scripting can be used by adding C# code to the script editor at design time or by using rpt.Script at run time. The script is then saved to the RPX file.

To access the script editor, click the script tab below the report design surface.

Note: Since the RPX file can be read with any text editor, the AddCode or AddNamedItem method should be used to add secure information, such as a connection string, to a project.

Tips for Using Scripting

• Make sure the report class is public. If the report class is not set to public, the script will not be able to recognize the items in your report. The report class is public by default.
• Make sure the control being referenced in the script has its Modifiers property set to Public. If the control's Modifiers property is not set to Public, the control can not be referenced in script and an error will fire when the report is run. The Modifiers property has a default value of Private, so you must set this property in the designer.
• Use "rpt." The script must use rpt to reference the report instead of this (as in C# code-behind) or Me (as in VB code-behind). 
• Use error handling. When working with scripting, use error handling around the .Run() call. When errors fire the returned error should point to the section of script causing the error.
• Use ((ControlType)rpt.Sections[SectionName].Controls[ControlName]) to type cast a control and access its properties.
• Create classes inside the script to call methods.
• Use the AddScriptReference method to gain access to .NET (or other) namespaces.
• Use the AddNamedItem method to access class files in a project.
• Use AddCode to inject code into the script.

Walkthrough: Using Scripting and Stand-Alone Reports

 

 

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