Hi,

I am just starting to play around wit CR and have a question already! I am using Crystal Reports 2008 which is connected to a database in MySql. I was wondering :

1. If Crystal Reports interprets the relationship between the tables in the same way as they were originally defined in MySql? To elaborate on that, while making a report, there is a step where you can define links between the tables, I was wondering if Crystal Reports uses the same relationship between the chosen tables as in the database?

2. If not, is there a way I could define the relationships for CR before going ahead with the reports? I understand, I can redefine the relationships between the tables, but what if I do not want to do that every time?

Any help on this is highly appreciated.

-V

Thanks a lot... but a follow up question...

So, under a scenario where in my SQL database, I have defined primary keys and foreign keys in the tables and also unchecked the option of Automatic Smart Linking,

1. Is there no significance of the aforementioned definition (Primary and Foreign Keys) for the way a report is generated in CR?

2. Also, is the aforesaid true for indexed fields too?

3. Can I know just manually link tables on the basis of prior information about the fields?

Thanks,

V

Thanks again...

I have another question which is kind of not related to the topic but still related to CR.

How do you think open source BI tools such as Pentahoe and Jasper fare against CR?

Are those competitive enough to replace CR?


Thanks
-V