Report Builder/Database Connection

Todd,

Great question!

In this case, the user ran a report that had been last modified connected to
the test database on a second partition of his hard drive. The laptop is
setup with a multi/boot setup. The first partition connects to the network,
the second partition is for local test database use when the user is writing
reports at home.

When the user launched the report from the live networked partition of the
hard drive, the report was still connecting to the test database on the
second partition of his laptop, but at first he wasn't aware of that, and
some time was wasted trying to figure out why changing particular numbers in
vantage wasn't changing the numbers on the report.

I recommended to him the solution that would make absolutely sure that when
he was logging into the live networked partition of his laptop, he would not
be able to connect to the database on his local drive. The liability of
running a test report and thinking it is live report could potentially be
significant.

Because he connects to the stand-alone test database partition with a local
administrator password that has no network rights, all I had to do is login
as local administrator and on his 'live' partion, and set the permissions on
the database directory so that his network login wouldn't be able to see the
vantage/db directory.

At the time, I was not aware of the "Always prompt for new connection"
option, but because of the number of reports the user runs from
reportbuilder that do have correct connection info, not having to type in
connection parameters every time is definitely a time saver. Plus if the
checkbox gets inadvertantly checked off, there is the liability of the user
unknowingly running bogus reports.

-Thaddeus

-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Caughey [mailto:caugheyt@...]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 2:14 PM
To: 'vantage@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


Maybe I am misunderstaning the issue but couldn't you copy the report to
another PRL and in the process change the database connection for the "new"
report. Then copy the report back to the original PRL and NOT change the
new settings (either overwrite or give new name). This shuffle allows you
to change the connection.
-Todd C.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thad Jacobs [mailto:tjacobs@...]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 4:10 PM
To: 'vantage@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


I know this one was posted a while back, but yesterday my boss was having
the same trouble. Here's the report I wrote to my boss regarding the issue.
We went with solution 1B, and it worked just fine.

REPORT BUILDER PROBLEM

Problem:
A report builder report created on the users laptop against the local test
vantage database still connects to the test vantage database when the user
logs on to the network, and is running the report builder executable from
the live database. Furthermore, a report builder report created that
references the live database, when opened up on the test server, using the
report builder executable in the test server installation, still connects to
the live database.

Reason:
Report builder does not allow a user to disconnect the master database table
in the report,
Once report builder initializes the report, and the connects to the database
path stored in the report, its to late to change the path.

Solution:
1. Force an error, so that Report Builder will fail to connect to the
database path stored within the report, and will prompt the user for the
correct database path. There are three way's I'm aware of to do this.
a. Place the test database on a completely standalone test server. A report
transferred from the live side to test side, and vice versus, will not
connect to the database path if the path does not exist
b. (My Recommendation) Separate NT logins. One login will have no access to
the live database directory, at least read-only rights to the test database.
One login will have no access to the test database directory, and at least
read-only access to the live database.
c. Open the PRL file in a hex editor, and search and replace one database
path with the other. STRONG RISK OF CORRUPTING PRL FILE, so you must have a
backup.

2.Launch the offending report from the vantage menu structure of the
database that you wish to run the report against. The report's database
connection info will be overridden by vantage. Will not change the fact
that when running report from within report builder, the report is
referencing the original database it was created for.

3.Launch the offending report from a 4GL program, overriding the database
connection info similar to the way vantage does. Same drawbacks apply, and
will require programming time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tricia Simon [mailto:t.simon@...]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:08 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


YEAH!!! It's amazing what walking away and going to lunch can do!!! Your
comment about the Service Name didn't mean anything when I first read it. I
didn't realize that that field could change! (So much to learn about this
system!!) Anyway.....I changed it to what I hoped it would be and BINGO!!!
Thanks all!!!!!!

Tricia


>>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<<




Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.>
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages>
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links>

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>



Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT

<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=216105.1806326.3318126.1261774/D=egroupweb/S=17050071
83:HM/A=915130/R=0/O=1/I=brandr-lrec/postholidaygroup/*http://shopping.yahoo
.com/domain?d=holiday&cf=posthol01>

<http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=216105.1806326.3318126.1261774/D=egroupmai
l/S=1705007183:HM/A=915130/rand=872674843>

Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.>
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages>
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links>

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Question for the group.....

I tried to do a Report Builder report accessing information in our test
database rather than the live database. I did go through the process of
disconnecting the current connection and establishing a new connection to
the test database by following the "files" links. If I then click on
Details, it shows the connection as being to the test database. However,
when I run the report, it seems to be pulling from the live database - data
matches what is currently in the live database rather than the test
database. Any ideas???? Do I need to run some other process????? Thanks
for any help....this is really driving me crazy!!!!! And believe me, as the
Controller of the company, I'm crazy enough this time of year (fiscal
year-end)!!!! :)

TIA

Tricia Simon, Controller
Riten Industries, Inc.
5.00.334
At 10:00 AM 12/20/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>I tried to do a Report Builder report accessing information in our test
>database rather than the live database. I did go through the process of

In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check "Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.

If you're running the report via Custom Report Links or a menu item in
Vantage, the DB parameters saved with the report are moot -- Vantage
always overrides them so you connect to the current DB.

-Wayne Cox
[happily unemployed !]
Wayne,

>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<

Did that already. :( It shows that I'm connected to the test database.
ARGH!!!!! I am running this directly from Report Builder....haven't figured
out the Custom Links part yet! :) We copied (via procopy) the live database
to the test database. Do I need to do some sort of an update process or
anything to refresh? I don't know...I'm grasping at straws here!!!!! :(

TIA

Tricia
Tricia,
If you copied your Test database from your Live one, it may look exactly the same. Did you change the name of the company in the test database to something like "TEST Company Name". Try Adding that companyname field to the heading of your report to see where you are really looking.
Troy

----- Original Message -----
From: Tricia Simon
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 11:17 AM
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


Wayne,

>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<

Did that already. :( It shows that I'm connected to the test database.
ARGH!!!!! I am running this directly from Report Builder....haven't figured
out the Custom Links part yet! :) We copied (via procopy) the live database
to the test database. Do I need to do some sort of an update process or
anything to refresh? I don't know...I'm grasping at straws here!!!!! :(

TIA

Tricia




Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
ADVERTISEMENT




Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tricia,

It's been a while since I faced this problem, so I'm a little foggy
on the details, but I think we ran into when testing from 4 to 5.
Double checking the obvious here, did you create a new service name
corresponding to the new database? And, did you change the service
name in the Report builder connection screen? It is possible that
you have directed the report to the physical location of the new DB,
but are using the old service name and therefore the report is
displaying the information from the old DB.

Hope that helps,

Brian Stenglein
Clow Stamping Company

--- In vantage@y..., Tricia Simon <t.simon@r...> wrote:
> Wayne,
>
> >>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and
check
> "Prompt
> Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB
connection
> form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB
connection
> in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<
>
> Did that already. :( It shows that I'm connected to the test
database.
> ARGH!!!!! I am running this directly from Report
Builder....haven't figured
> out the Custom Links part yet! :) We copied (via procopy) the live
database
> to the test database. Do I need to do some sort of an update
process or
> anything to refresh? I don't know...I'm grasping at straws
here!!!!! :(
>
> TIA
>
> Tricia
YEAH!!! It's amazing what walking away and going to lunch can do!!! Your
comment about the Service Name didn't mean anything when I first read it. I
didn't realize that that field could change! (So much to learn about this
system!!) Anyway.....I changed it to what I hoped it would be and BINGO!!!
Thanks all!!!!!!

Tricia


>>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<<
I know this one was posted a while back, but yesterday my boss was having
the same trouble. Here's the report I wrote to my boss regarding the issue.
We went with solution 1B, and it worked just fine.

REPORT BUILDER PROBLEM

Problem:
A report builder report created on the users laptop against the local test
vantage database still connects to the test vantage database when the user
logs on to the network, and is running the report builder executable from
the live database. Furthermore, a report builder report created that
references the live database, when opened up on the test server, using the
report builder executable in the test server installation, still connects to
the live database.

Reason:
Report builder does not allow a user to disconnect the master database table
in the report,
Once report builder initializes the report, and the connects to the database
path stored in the report, its to late to change the path.

Solution:
1. Force an error, so that Report Builder will fail to connect to the
database path stored within the report, and will prompt the user for the
correct database path. There are three way's I'm aware of to do this.
a. Place the test database on a completely standalone test server. A report
transferred from the live side to test side, and vice versus, will not
connect to the database path if the path does not exist
b. (My Recommendation) Separate NT logins. One login will have no access to
the live database directory, at least read-only rights to the test database.
One login will have no access to the test database directory, and at least
read-only access to the live database.
c. Open the PRL file in a hex editor, and search and replace one database
path with the other. STRONG RISK OF CORRUPTING PRL FILE, so you must have a
backup.

2.Launch the offending report from the vantage menu structure of the
database that you wish to run the report against. The report's database
connection info will be overridden by vantage. Will not change the fact
that when running report from within report builder, the report is
referencing the original database it was created for.

3.Launch the offending report from a 4GL program, overriding the database
connection info similar to the way vantage does. Same drawbacks apply, and
will require programming time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tricia Simon [mailto:t.simon@...]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:08 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


YEAH!!! It's amazing what walking away and going to lunch can do!!! Your
comment about the Service Name didn't mean anything when I first read it. I
didn't realize that that field could change! (So much to learn about this
system!!) Anyway.....I changed it to what I hoped it would be and BINGO!!!
Thanks all!!!!!!

Tricia


>>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<<




Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Of course, checking the always prompt for DB option works, but requires
unneccessary typing when opening reports that are currently connected to the
correct database.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thad Jacobs [mailto:tjacobs@...]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 2:10 PM
To: 'vantage@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


I know this one was posted a while back, but yesterday my boss was having
the same trouble. Here's the report I wrote to my boss regarding the issue.
We went with solution 1B, and it worked just fine.

REPORT BUILDER PROBLEM

Problem:
A report builder report created on the users laptop against the local test
vantage database still connects to the test vantage database when the user
logs on to the network, and is running the report builder executable from
the live database. Furthermore, a report builder report created that
references the live database, when opened up on the test server, using the
report builder executable in the test server installation, still connects to
the live database.

Reason:
Report builder does not allow a user to disconnect the master database table
in the report,
Once report builder initializes the report, and the connects to the database
path stored in the report, its to late to change the path.

Solution:
1. Force an error, so that Report Builder will fail to connect to the
database path stored within the report, and will prompt the user for the
correct database path. There are three way's I'm aware of to do this.
a. Place the test database on a completely standalone test server. A report
transferred from the live side to test side, and vice versus, will not
connect to the database path if the path does not exist
b. (My Recommendation) Separate NT logins. One login will have no access to
the live database directory, at least read-only rights to the test database.
One login will have no access to the test database directory, and at least
read-only access to the live database.
c. Open the PRL file in a hex editor, and search and replace one database
path with the other. STRONG RISK OF CORRUPTING PRL FILE, so you must have a
backup.

2.Launch the offending report from the vantage menu structure of the
database that you wish to run the report against. The report's database
connection info will be overridden by vantage. Will not change the fact
that when running report from within report builder, the report is
referencing the original database it was created for.

3.Launch the offending report from a 4GL program, overriding the database
connection info similar to the way vantage does. Same drawbacks apply, and
will require programming time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tricia Simon [mailto:t.simon@...]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:08 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


YEAH!!! It's amazing what walking away and going to lunch can do!!! Your
comment about the Service Name didn't mean anything when I first read it. I
didn't realize that that field could change! (So much to learn about this
system!!) Anyway.....I changed it to what I hoped it would be and BINGO!!!
Thanks all!!!!!!

Tricia


>>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<<




Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/



Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Maybe I am misunderstaning the issue but couldn't you copy the report to
another PRL and in the process change the database connection for the "new"
report. Then copy the report back to the original PRL and NOT change the
new settings (either overwrite or give new name). This shuffle allows you
to change the connection.
-Todd C.

-----Original Message-----
From: Thad Jacobs [mailto:tjacobs@...]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 4:10 PM
To: 'vantage@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


I know this one was posted a while back, but yesterday my boss was having
the same trouble. Here's the report I wrote to my boss regarding the issue.
We went with solution 1B, and it worked just fine.

REPORT BUILDER PROBLEM

Problem:
A report builder report created on the users laptop against the local test
vantage database still connects to the test vantage database when the user
logs on to the network, and is running the report builder executable from
the live database. Furthermore, a report builder report created that
references the live database, when opened up on the test server, using the
report builder executable in the test server installation, still connects to
the live database.

Reason:
Report builder does not allow a user to disconnect the master database table
in the report,
Once report builder initializes the report, and the connects to the database
path stored in the report, its to late to change the path.

Solution:
1. Force an error, so that Report Builder will fail to connect to the
database path stored within the report, and will prompt the user for the
correct database path. There are three way's I'm aware of to do this.
a. Place the test database on a completely standalone test server. A report
transferred from the live side to test side, and vice versus, will not
connect to the database path if the path does not exist
b. (My Recommendation) Separate NT logins. One login will have no access to
the live database directory, at least read-only rights to the test database.
One login will have no access to the test database directory, and at least
read-only access to the live database.
c. Open the PRL file in a hex editor, and search and replace one database
path with the other. STRONG RISK OF CORRUPTING PRL FILE, so you must have a
backup.

2.Launch the offending report from the vantage menu structure of the
database that you wish to run the report against. The report's database
connection info will be overridden by vantage. Will not change the fact
that when running report from within report builder, the report is
referencing the original database it was created for.

3.Launch the offending report from a 4GL program, overriding the database
connection info similar to the way vantage does. Same drawbacks apply, and
will require programming time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tricia Simon [mailto:t.simon@...]
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 10:08 AM
To: vantage@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Vantage] Report Builder/Database Connection


YEAH!!! It's amazing what walking away and going to lunch can do!!! Your
comment about the Service Name didn't mean anything when I first read it. I
didn't realize that that field could change! (So much to learn about this
system!!) Anyway.....I changed it to what I hoped it would be and BINGO!!!
Thanks all!!!!!!

Tricia


>>>>In Report Builder, try going into Options -> Preferences and check
"Prompt
Always" for the DB connection. This will make it pop up the DB connection
form every time you open a report. You can put an alternate DB connection
in the "Service Name" field at that point.<<<<




Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.>
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages>
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links>

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>



Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

ADVERTISEMENT

<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=216105.1806326.3318126.1261774/D=egroupweb/S=17050071
83:HM/A=915130/R=0/O=1/I=brandr-lrec/postholidaygroup/*http://shopping.yahoo
.com/domain?d=holiday&cf=posthol01>

<http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=216105.1806326.3318126.1261774/D=egroupmai
l/S=1705007183:HM/A=915130/rand=872674843>

Useful links for the Yahoo!Groups Vantage Board are: ( Note: You must have
already linked your email address to a yahoo id to enable access. )
(1) To access the Files Section of our Yahoo!Group for Report Builder and
Crystal Reports and other 'goodies', please goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/files/.>
(2) To search through old msg's goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/messages>
(3) To view links to Vendors that provide Vantage services goto:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vantage/links>

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service
<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> .




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]