72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Peck Write the Definative Crystal Book Again, July 11, 2000
This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 8: The Complete Reference (Book/CD-ROM package) (Paperback)
Less than a year after he published his landmark book for Crystal Version 7, George Peck has produced another blockbuster. He has updated his volume to include the new features in Version 8. The new book includes all that was excellent in Version 7 and goes further. It is well worth your time and money.
The book has 800 pages, 30 chapters, 2 appendixes, an index and an companion CD containing examples of finished reports, visual basic routines, active server pages and demonstration web sites. There is even a web site to report errors in the book or download corrections.
The chapters are divided into three parts: (1) A general introduction to the report design components including excellent coverage of the new features in Version 8. (2) Seven chapters explain how to create custom applications using Visual Basic and Crystal. (3) An in-depth explanation covering reporting through the web. Jim Bixby, our Crystal instructor in Portland, Oregon, revised the last section.
What makes this book different from others and the manual that is includes with the software is Peck's refusal to simply describe each of the program's features. He goes to the extra effort to explain why you would want to use a feature. He is not afraid to go into depth when depth is required. A good example is his discussion of linking tables. He not only covers linking within one database type, but also linking between database types. He provides his own point of view and discusses the impact on performance.
The book has hundreds of "Tip" paragraphs that provide extra insight into a reporting problem. There are thousands of screen shots showing how to use dialog boxes. Then there is the "What to do..." boxes that address the "got ya" problems that are likely to crop up. These are troubleshooting guides.
I like the way his uses graphics to describe complex database operations. For example: When introducing Crystal's new ability to group data in a hierarchy, he uses vertical and horizontal lines to create a organizational tree structure. While he has not yet discussed how to create the lines, he points this out so we will not be confused.
Another example: Perhaps the most confusing part of Crystal is the web reporting features. Chapter 28 goes through the various options, their strengths and their pitfalls starting with the simplest (exporting to HTML) and proceeding to the most complex (the report development component). There are extremely helpful tips discussing the way things used to be (in Version 7) and the way things are now (Version 8).
The need for ULF (user function libraries) has diminished now that Crystal has upgraded its formula language. However, there are many applications that need them. In about ten pages he explains how this is done. The companion CD contains several examples.
No reference book would be complete without an index. Peck's book has an excellent index.
If you are involved with a reporting project, or if you a responsible for teaching reporting, or if you consult and your consulting involves reporting you need a reference library. Peck's book must be at the top of your list. It will save you time and aggravation. No IS show using Crystal should be without this book.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear, concise, simply the best, February 7, 2001
This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 8: The Complete Reference (Book/CD-ROM package) (Paperback)
I really liked this book because it is not only clear and concise, but it also covers all the things that you need to know to sucessfully create efficient reports. Moreover, I know that crystal report is the de facto standard for report generation in the industry. I started from knowing nothing about crystal report to become an expert report designer just by using this book. It covers not only the basics, but also the advanced features such as putting reports on the web without having the client install crystal report on their computer. It also teaches you how to create dynamic, real-time reports.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Crystal Reports Reference on the Market, August 25, 2000
This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 8: The Complete Reference (Book/CD-ROM package) (Paperback)
I am a Crystal Reports Developer and I believe that "The Complete Reference" is the best book published for Crystal Reports. The documentation Seagate provides with the software does not compare to Peck's book. Seagate is notorious for inadequate and poorly written documentation; Peck's reference makes Crystal Reports usable. I would not recommend using any other book as a Crystal Reports reference.
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