Crystal Ball

Introduction

Crystal Ball is an application that allows Crystal Reports developers to trace and debug the reports that they develop.

Covering everything from logging field data in a file to tracing function execution or performing hex dumps on calculated data, the Crystal Ball is a valuable addition for any Crystal Reports developer’s toolbox.

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Functions

Function Name				What it does
DbgTrace				Prints Trace Messages
DbgLog				Logs Information To File
DbgClear				Clears Monitor Window
DbgStartTimer				Starts Timer Function
DbgEndTimer				Ends Timer Function and Prints Duration
DbgMessageBox				Displays Message Box
DbgScriptExecuteStatement				Executes on-the-fly code
DbgScriptSetLanguage				Sets Current Language To VBScript/Jscript
DbgScriptLoad				Loads Pre-programmed Script Libraries
DbgScriptRunFunction				Runs a Pre-loaded Function
DbgDump				Hex Dumps Report Data To Monitor

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Debugging Reports

Debugging formula/field data has traditionally been a trial and error experience. Did a conditional function fire? Was the condition met? Does a specific item of data exist?

These are all questions that a developer will ask from time to time.

Now, you can easily transfer information to the Crystal Ball monitor window for viewing, saving or printing.

Example Code:

WhilePrintingRecords:
if {Customer.Customer Name} = "Rough Terrain" then
(
DbgTrace("Processing 'Rough Terrain' - Dumping field {Customer.Customer Name}...");
DbgDump ({Customer.Customer Name});
)
 

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Real-Time Scripting

We’ve continued to provide programming extensions to allow the use of JScript and VBScript in your reports.

You can even use the DbgLog feature of Crystal Ball to conditionally generate your own scripts and conditionally run them!

Example Code:

WhilePrintingRecords:
if {Customer.Customer Name} = "Rough Terrain" then
(
StringVar crwQuote := chr(34);

DbgScriptSetLanguage ("VBScript");
DbgScriptExecuteStatement ("MsgBox " + crwQuote + "Processing Rough Terrain!" + crwQuote);
)
 

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Download

Download Crystal Ball (crystalball_eval.zip)

Please contact Jason if there are any comments, questions, or difficulties.

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