Customer Reviews

Crystal Reports XI: The Complete Reference (Osborne Complete Reference Series)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The text is one of the first available for Crystal Reports XI, and is largely a revision of the same material which has been presented in previous editions (which covered earlier versions of Crystal Reports). As you would expect, it does a solid job of covering all the basics. It even goes into some intermediate details in a few sections.

If you are a beginner to Crystal Reports, then the book will be a valuable reference to you. If you're an experienced Crystal Reports developer or you have used previous versions of Crystal Reports, then this book will not get much use. The book does not have many "hints" or "secret tips" that make developing in Crystal Reports easier. However, the amount of material covered is good in that there is not much left out entirely, so even an advanced developer will find bits of useful information, particularly when using Crystal Reports in new ways or on new platforms, etc. For example, the new features presented in Crystal Reports XI are covered in considerable detail, particularly the various methods of implementing new report parameter features. And, thankfully, the sections detailing now-deprecated software components have been removed or minimized.

If you're familiar with the earlier renditions of this book (i.e., for Crystal Reports version 10, etc.), then you will find this rendition exactly as expected.

Previous reviews led me to believe that this would be a good overall book, for both training and reference. However, this book is obviously aimed at people who have experience with previous versions of Crystal Reports, not for people who are just starting out. I will probably keep it as a refence guide, but will need to find something else to use as a beginners guide.

I have worked with Crystal Reports since version 8.5 and for about 4 years now. I am currently a Crystal Reports developer and create reports all day for my job. This book is a great tool for learning and provides me access to all the Crystal Syntax functions and other hard to reference materials. This book is also very in-depth and will provide a total knowledge to someone just learning.

The hardest thing with Crystal is that buidling reports is more an art form then science considering the vast amount of options the developer has to solve any given business problem. The best way to learn is get this book and dive in to making reports.

Good Book. Covers 99% of all the topics. Found it very useful. I'm a power user now.

I use mine on a regular basis. This book is in an easy to read and easy to follow reference manual. Every SQL statement is explained and includes and example statement as well as the results. The differences between SQL flavors (MSSQL, Oracle, MySQL) to get the same results are given when they exist. A must have for a quick reference manual.

This book does have a lot of information. However, of course it's not 100% complete, if that means answering every question anyone will have.

There is a lot of information in this book. However, time and time again I find it not answering my questions. It needs a lot more "fill in the gaps" information about how Crystal Reports works, and the context for what is going on. The author needs to step back in many cases and consider what questions a newbie might have about the topic being discussed.

This is a great book. way better then the one for dummies. It starts simple enough, that practically any one can read( but if your not interested in doing reports professionally ,you should consider getting the one for dummies "crystal reports 10 for dummies") it and complex enough to accomplish any task (well it doesn't answer the question directly, but it gives enough information to answer it) I would recommend this book to pros as well as newbies, since its the perfect reference book!

Crystal Reports XI - The Complete Reference is the total package for anyone desiring to unleash the full power of this reporting tool. Replete with examples and detailed explanations, this tome more than meets the requirements for any up and coming report writer wanna be. If one systematically works their way through this book and plays close attention to the examples and tips, he or she will come out the other end as a bona fide expert with this tool. It takes patience and close attention, but the effort is worth it.

Fanastic! It is always great when you have a book that can help youunderstand what it is that you are tryingto do! :) With all the latest software releases it is hard to keep up on what you need to do to make each program perform. This books should help you on your way! Great buy!

Excellent! this book is ideal for the novice. I am using it to teach myself Crystal Reports and have found it to be a great reference. I am doing things in crystal reports on my project that even the seasoned developer has not ever tried. I highly recommend this book.