Although JasperReports is the world's most popular open source Java reporting library, it has always lacked one thing: It doesn't provide a tool to visually design reports. iReport is a visual report designer built on JasperReports that fills that lack. It is an intuitive and easy-to-use visual report builder/designer for JasperReports, written in 100% pure Java.

This beginner's tutorial book is a straightforward introduction to the iReport environment taking an example-oriented approach in developing your skills from scratch. It shows you how to use iReport for creating reports in PDF, RTF, and other formats, which can be delivered over the Web for immediate access.

This book will guide you through using iReport to develop various types of reports from a simple report through to dynamic enterprise-level reports based on realistic examples based on a sample Inventory Management System. It takes you through the main types of report available in iReport, and shows you exactly how to create them. It shows you how to use different report templates, how to use special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports, combine data to produce master-detail reports, add images, control the layout and formatting of your report and many more.

It will also show you how to use the NetBeans IDE to create Java projects with reporting facilities. You will learn how to vary report format and layout according to business requirements.

What you will learn from this book

• Using iReport for creating reports
• Using special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports
• Combining data to produce master/detail reports
• Adding images and controlling the layout and formatting of your report
• Using report variables to store data during the execution of the report
• Representing business data in the form of pie charts, bar charts, line charts and so on
• Calling iReport from a Java desktop or web application
• Creating reports from the NetBeans IDE
• Creating JDBC connections from iReport to connect to different data sources.

Here is a brief summary of what each chapter covers:

Chapter 1:Introduction to iReport: This chapter covers what iReport is, what you can do with iReport, history of iReport, and installing iReport.

Chapter 2: Build Your First Report: In this chapter you learn about creating a new Data Source or database JDBC connection, creating a report using the wizard, using a design query to produce a SQL for the report, viewing the report using the built-in viewer, and exporting the report in different formats like PDF, RTF and so on.

Chapter 3: Report Layout and Formatting: In this chapter you will learn about configuring report properties, understanding bands, configuring and using report bands, maintaining the size, position and alignment of the report elements, modifying report fonts, using a library, using borders, and modifying element properties.

Chapter 4: Using Variables: In this chapter you will learn about the use of variables, adding variables in a report, and writing variable expressions.

Chapter 5: Using Parameters: In this chapter you will learn about the necessity for parameters, adding/ modifying parameters, and modifying the SQL query to use parameters.

Chapter 6: Report Groups: In this chapter you will learn about report groups and grouping data together.

Chapter 7:Subreports: In this chapter you will learn about what sub-reports are, creating sub-reports, compiling sub-reports, linking the main report to a sub-report, and passing data between the main and sub-reports.

Chapter 8:Crosstab Report: In this chapter you will gain an understanding of what crosstab reports are and how to use crosstab reports.

Chapter 9:Charting: In this chapter you will learn how to create report with pie charts, 3d pie charts, and bar charts.

Chapter 10:Working with Images: This chapter covers showing images in reports from the database, static images from the hard drive, and setting a background image in a report.

Chapter 11:Calling iReport from Java Applications: In this chapter you will learn about the JasperReports library for calling iReport from your Java application.

Chapter 12:iReport in NetBeans: You will learn about installing iReport plugins in NetBeans and creating reports from inside NetBeans IDE.

Chapter 13:A Sample Database: This chapter presents the design and development of an inventory.

Approach

Step-by-step example-driven tutorials make this book very easy to follow. Practical, realistic business examples, many relevant screenshots, and simple discussion of prior concepts help readers to understand from the simplest to the most complex concepts.

Who this book is written for

This book is for business intelligence reporting tool users and developers who have working experience in Java but are new to iReport. The book covers from developing a simple report to charting and producing summary reports in iReport, so it is suitable both for the initial learners and experts who produce extensive reports for business applications.