VB.net application and Crystal Reports Developer for Visual Studio

[Former Member]

I have a question about Crystal Reports Developer for Visual Studio. If I create a executable of my Visual Studio Project and I have the Crystal Reports Developer for Visual Studio installed and I've incorporated Crystal Reporting and Crystal Viewer controls inthe application, when I create the executable of the project for the user, will the Crystal Viewer and reports work and include the needed functionality without having to install additional software on the client? I'm asking for the developer. I say it will compile all the needed functionality without having to install the runtime on each user's computer.

[DellSC · Accepted solution]

No, it won't. The appropriate version of the runtime must be installed anywhere the software will be installed. This is because the SDK uses a bunch of files that won't be in the "References" section of the VS application, but are referenced internally in the SDK assemblies. There are also a bunch of registry settings that need to be created/updated in order for the SDK to work correctly.

-Dell

[former_member11696]

AS Dell noted, no, you must distribute the CR runtime MSI files, it's the only way to get it to work.

Your IT guys can write a scrip to install the MSI package under a local Admin Account.

You will not likely ever get it to work if you don't install the MSI file.

Also, CR runtime is designed for your app platform, so if you compile in x86 then install just the x86 MSI, same for x64 MSI.

Don

[Former Member]

Thanks for clarifying. Unfortunately, the DOD network does not allow unapproved software to just be installed and none of the users that will be using this VB.net application have administrative capability to install software and "admin' guys don't just install software they don't have that authority if its not on the list of acceptable software.. Guess I'll have to find another method that doesn't involve installing software. In the meantime, I will contact the powers that be to see if Crystal Reports Runtime is on the list of approved software for DOD computers. Wow, bummer.

[Former Member]

So will the Crystal runtime be included in the compiled project executable? I'm not using the SDK I'm just using the free Crystal Reports for Visual Studio which has been installed on the developer machine. We have done a proof of concept using it, added its references where needed in the project for reports and the viewer. Currently a Visual Studio executable is created and executed by the users. These are windows forms which retrieve database information.

Not sure I can use it if it involves changes to the client (installing software on the clients-- this is a managed network and clients do not have the ability to install software). Is it achievable to use Crystal Reports for Visual Studio with our project or will the runtime try to install on the client when they execute the application?.