Crystal Reports: A Beginner's Guide

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 486 pages
• Published by: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
• Edition: 1st Edition December 3, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0072193263
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0072193268
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Weighs: 1.8 pounds

Book Description
Learn to create presentation-quality reports using this practical introductory guide--even if you're a novice. You'll find all the information you need to get up and running with this data analysis tool and learn how to format data, generate reports, create Web-based reports, and much more.

Back Cover Copy


Begin using Crystal Reports and create winning reports and documents with precision and ease. This self-paced learning resource covers all the basics clearly and accurately and is ideal for new Crystal Reports users. You'll learn how to develop and design reports, use maps and charts, organize and analyze report data, and much more. Plenty of hands-on exercises and projects are included throughout to help illustrate concepts along the way. Learn how to use the leading report-writing and analysis tool the right way with help from this step-by-step guide.

This Beginner's Guide is Designed for Easy Learning:

• Modules--Each concept is divided into logical modules (chapters), ideal for individualized learning
• Goals--Each section opens with the specific skills you'll have by the end of the section
• Ask the Experts--Q&A sections throughout are filled with extra information and interesting commentary
• 1-Minute Drills--Quick self-assessment sections to check your progress
• Projects--Coding exercises contained in each section show how to apply what you are learning
• extreme proficiency Checks--End-of-module reviews that test your knowledge using short-answer, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and simple coding questions

Reader Reviews
When I began to use Crystal Reports 4 years ago, there was only one book on the market, which is Douglas Wolf's "Crystal Reports 6 for Dummies". It took me for a while to overcome the bad feeling to join the "Dummy Camp". Well, it's worth to bear the insult. To separate from the "Dummy Camp", I bought George Peck's thick book "Crystal Reports 7: The Complete Reference". To be fair, it's not the right book for learnning Crystal Reports, but a good book for reference. I kept it for more than 2 years, but only used less than 1/3 of it. When I moved to Crystal Reports' Version 8 one year ago, I bought Jill Howe's "Prima's Guide to Seagate Crystal Reports 8" for new taste. I returned it to bookstore in a week. It really disappointed me too much for lack of details. When I saw David McAmis' "Beginner's Guide", I started to wonder if the level is too low to me. Since I didn't want to have another book from Peck, I gave this book a try. It turned to be a good experience. I strongly recommend this book to anybody who is looking for his/her first Crystal Reports book, or a systematic refresher on Version 8.0 or 8.5 in short time. However, this book does have its downside: no advanced topics (for instance, working with Visual Basic or SQL Server's stored procedures), poor proof-reading, and unmatched screen-shoots. However, those are not author's fault. I made my mind to give this book 4.5 stars, but "upgraded" it as 5 - Amazon doesn't allow 4.5. Comment | | (Report this)