Storing Crystal Report SQL Views in Aptify as Database Objects

An advanced Crystal Report may require the report writer to create a SQL view that contains the necessary data for the report. When creating a new SQL view specifically for a Crystal Report, Aptify recommends that an organization store this SQL view within Aptify, following these guidelines:

• Add the view as a record to Aptify's Database Objects service. Keep in mind the following points when creating the SQL view and the Database Objects record:
  • Per Aptify's naming convention, the Database Object's Name should begin with vw and should not contain any spaces (e.g., vwRentalAgreements.VehicleID).
  • Select View in the Object Type field for the Database Objects record.
  • When you save a database object in Aptify, the system creates the object in the APTIFY database. When adding the view to a Crystal Report, specify the view stored in the APTIFY database.
  • Aptify recommends that your SQL statement query Aptify base views rather than base tables.
  • Add your SQL statement to the Database Object's SQL tab; specify view permissions under the Database Object's Grant SQL tab.
     

• Add the Database Object to the DB Objects tab for the entity that uses this view to run a report. For example, if you created a view for the Vehicles service to use in a Vehicles report, add the view as a DB Object to the Vehicles entity.
  • This ensures that the view will be retained during system upgrades (since the objects listed in an entity's DB Objects tab are included in an Entity pack).
  • Note that you can leave the Usage field blank in the Database Objects sub-type record. This field is for informational purposes only. It includes three suggested values, but a user can enter any text in this field.