DataVision – reporting tool similar to Crystal Reports

Last Updated on November 13, 2022

DataVision is an Open Source database reporting tool similar to Crystal Reports.

Reports can be designed using a drag-and-drop GUI. They may be run, viewed, and printed from the application or exported as HTML, XML, PDF, LaTeX2e, DocBook, or tab- or comma-delimited text files.

The output files produced by LaTeX2e and DocBook can, in turn, be used to produce PDF, text, HTML, PostScript, and more.

DataVision is written in Java. It can generate reports from databases or text data files. Any database that has a JDBC driver will work. This includes Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Informix, HSQLDB, and others. Columns read from text files can be separated by any character.

Report descriptions are stored as XML files. This means users can not only use the DataVision GUI but may also edit reports using a favorite text editor.

Features include:

• Drag-and-drop report builder.
• Report headers and footers, page headers and footers, group headers and footers.
• Report field formatting: color, numeric and date format, italic, bold, border lines, etc.
• Editable report-wide default field format.
• Sub-reports.
• Visual table linker.
• Aggregates (sum, min, max, count, average, stddev) by group and at report’s end.
• Record sorting.
• Sub-selects allowed within SQL WHERE clauses.
• Formulas, using any language supported by the Bean Scripting Framework (BSF). The default formula language shipped with DataVision is Ruby (via JRuby).
• Record selection (SQL WHERE clause for database data sources, BSF script that accepts/rejects records for character-separated file data sources).
• Run-time parameters; asks the user for values when the report runs; if running from the command line, reads values in from an XML file.
• Run-time variables (again thanks to the BSF). A script run at the start of each report run is the perfect place to set all your initial values.
• User-defined SELECT clause columns; useful for calling stored procedures or SQL functions.
• Hide columns and entire sections.
• Reports can read data from different data sources. Currently, data sources are defined for databases and text data files (comma-separated, tab-separated, etc).
• When reading text data files, translates date and numeric columns into the appropriate Java classes so they can be manipulated as such (formatted, used in formulas, etc).
• Run and view reports on-screen.
• Print report from DataVision.
• Exports to HTML, XML, PDF, comma-separated, tab-separated, DocBook, LaTeX.
• GUI translated into eleven languages.
• Report definitions stored as human-readable XML.
• Embeddable within your own application.

Website: datavision.sourceforge.net
Support: User’s Manual
Developer: Frank W. Zammetti, Jim Menard
License: Apache Software License v 2.0

DataVision is written in Java. Learn Java with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Business Intelligence Software Home Page

Explore Linux
	Best Free and Open Source Software - A huge collection of recommended free and open source software covering every major category.
	In-depth Linux Software Reviews - Detailed assessments of Linux software covering features, usability and overall quality.
	The Big List of Active Linux Distros - An extensive collection of actively developed Linux distributions.
	Open Source Alternatives - Alternatives to software and services from Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle and others.
	Essential Linux System Tools - Indispensable utilities for monitoring, maintaining and managing Linux systems.
	Linux Productivity Tools - Useful utilities for improving productivity and streamlining everyday tasks.
	Alternatives to Popular CLI Tools - Modern alternatives to familiar command-line utilities supplied with Linux systems.
	Awesome Free Linux Game Tools - Tools, utilities and companion software that improve gaming on Linux.
	Machine Learning on Linux - Machine learning and deep learning software, self-hosted applications and practical tools.
	Saving Money with Linux - Practical ways to reduce electricity consumption and lower computing costs with Linux.
	Linux Candy - Fun, entertaining and sometimes delightfully quirky software from the lighter side of Linux.