Crystal support for Managed Oracle Data Provider for .NET (ODP.NET)

[stephenchilds]

Connecting Crystal Reports to an Oracle database currently requires installing Oracle's huge client software. Oracle, however, now offers their Managed Data Provider for .NET (ODP.NET), which is fully managed .NET code and only requires the deployment of a single DLL that is less than 10 MB in size (https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/windows/downloads/index-090165.html). We changed our thick client application to Managed ODP.NET a couple of years ago but are still having to install the full Oracle client on all of our users' workstations just so they can run Crystal Reports. Is there a way to use Managed ODP.NET to connect Crystal Reports to an Oracle database. If not, are there plans to do so? If not, how may I submit this as an enhancement request for the Crystal team?

[stephenchilds]

Thanks Dell and Don. I do not have a S-User ID, only a P-User ID. Do I need to try to sign up for SAP Influence? So far the information you have provided here has been excellent and appreciated.

Am I understanding correctly that we would have to license and install CR2016 Designer on every workstation in order to get the DataDirect ODBC driver? Considering that we have over 300 users, I don't think that is do-able but maybe we could work something out with DataDirect.

Our thick client application is compiled for Any CPU. This was necessary because some of our PCs had to run 32-bit Windows for compatibility with certain government applications. It is possible that this requirement has recently changed, in which case we could start compiling explicitly for 64 bit; but I would have to check with several departments to make that determination.

Finally, is the DataDirect ODBC driver supplied as part of Crystal Reports, Developer for Visual Studio? We are currently using CR XI r2 and have been debating whether to purchase CR2016 or move to CR for VS. Your answer may turn out to be a deciding factor in our decision. Native use of Managed ODP.NET by CR would still be a decidedly better option for us, but maybe we'll have to make do with the DataDirect ODBC driver … or continue to install the full Oracle client.

-Stephen

[stephenchilds]

Thank you. Is it still possible to submit this (Managed ODP.NET as a data source) to the Crystal team as an enhancement request?

[former_member11696 · Accepted solution]

Update... I can't get it to work, CR looks in the PATH and registry area's for DB Clients, it's not recognizing it so DD Wired Driver may be the answer or just install the Oracle Client, doesn't cost anything., except space and time....

In code it's basically a Dataset provider, so you should be able to dump the data into a DS and then SetLocation(ds); for the report to use.

Once I get a report working to connect to Oracle using Native or OLE dB or ODBC I'll see if it works.

Be aware, CR and Datasets are limited, you can't dump a million rows into the DS and expect CR to work, it's limited to 10K max for a simple report and a lot less the more fields you use.

Not much good for huge amounts of data that has to be managed client side.

Don

[former_member11696]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks Dell for submitting the Enhancement Request.

Included with Crystal Reports is the DataDirect ODBC drivers, one of which is the Wired Driver which does not require the Oracle Client to be installed.

Have you tried it? No redist for it so it will require CR 2016 Designer to be installed to get it and be licensed to use it. Or you can go to Data Directs site and work out a deal with them.

Don

[DellSC]

Looking at the Product Availability Matrix for Crystal for VS, I don't see that the ODP client is currently supported.

Because I didn't know whether you have an SAP S-ID, I have submitted this request to the SAP Influence site. You can find it here https://influence.sap.com/sap/ino/#/idea/229817 and vote for it if you have access to the site.

-Dell

[former_member11696]

I see it's only a 64 bit client, did you set VS to run your project in 64 bit?

I'm doing a quick test, sort of, I have to get everything installed on a clean PC first.

Don