Focal Point
[CLOSED] ReporCaster API and .NET

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.informationbuilders.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7971057331/m/549108743

January 21, 2010, 11:16 AM
Scott W.
[CLOSED] ReporCaster API and .NET
I am creating a ASP.NET app that needs to call ReportCaster. Can I call ReportCaster API from a .NET app?

My understanding was using the ReportCaster Web Service was the way to go with a .NET app. But I just discovered we didn't purchase that feature, and most likely won't. So now I am back to looking at the API. We are not a JAVA shop.

Your info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
SW.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kerry,


WebFOCUS 7.6.9
Windows Server 2003
January 21, 2010, 11:34 AM
TexasStingray
If you cannot purchase WebFOCUS Web Services Enablement, Then to use the API you would have to use JAVA or create your own jsp pages that you could call as a http request from you ASP page. I believe that most companies that use ASP also use the Web Services component.




Scott

January 21, 2010, 03:42 PM
Scott W.
In the documentation, I see where I can call API subroutines from an HTML from. 

<FORM ACTION="/cgi-bin/ibi_cgi/ibiweb.exe" METHOD="get">
<INPUT NAME="IBIF_ex" VALUE="procedure_name" TYPE="hidden">

Is this what you were referring to, TexasStingray?
SW.


WebFOCUS 7.6.9
Windows Server 2003
January 21, 2010, 04:16 PM
TexasStingray
That's not the API that a call to WebFOCUS as if you were calling in from a browser, it the CGI, there is also the WFServlet. WFServlet is the newer client, it uses an application server such as tomcat. When someone talks about API they generaly mean programming because the product does not provide exactly what they want. In your .NET app you can call http services just as if you were calling it directly from a browser, but that not what most people want from waht I understand as they want to protect the querystring from the user seeing it. Like I said if you cannot purchase the Web Server Enablement then you must make an http call or program in java as that is what the API is written. Someone correct me if I am wrong.




Scott

January 22, 2010, 08:32 AM
dlogan
Web Services is the recommended and official way to create/edit ReportCaster schedules from .NET.

You can also use the ReportCaster Servlet API that a few people have referenced:
http://documentation.informati...i/source/topic43.htm

I have also seen people do direct inserts into the ReportCaster database, but this option is unsupported and if not done properly can prevent ReportCaster from functioning.


WF 71.x, 76.x, 7701, 8.0 Beta OS: Linux, Win2k3, Win2k, Win2k8, WinXP


January 22, 2010, 09:03 AM
Efrem
ReportCaster Web Services is the only thing supported for a .NET application to integrate with ReportCaster functionality.

You should be aware that the WebFOCUS Web Services Enablement Option licenses you for the following:

WebFOCUS Web Services
ReportCaster Web Services
Reporting Server Web Services
January 22, 2010, 09:43 AM
Scott W.
Everyone, I appreciate all this information. I will pull all this together and inform our powers-that-be and see if they go for it (purchasing the WF Web Services Enablement Option).

As the designer/developer of this application, I need to investigate all my options in case they don't purchase the Web Services.

Currently I am looking into:
- calling API subroutines from HTML
- manually inserting rows into the ReportCaster database's tables and then letting the users manage their scheduled reports via ReportCaster from their Dashboard.

Thanks again everyone.


WebFOCUS 7.6.9
Windows Server 2003
January 22, 2010, 10:24 AM
TexasStingray
WebFOCUS Web Services Enablement Option - Provides Web Services enablement of WebFOCUS content. Enable WebFOCUS to publish WebFOCUS content as a Web Service.

WebFOCUS Web Services Adapter - Enables WebFOCUS Reporting Server to consume Web Services.

Two Seperate and Licensed Options.




Scott

January 23, 2010, 01:59 PM
Efrem
That is correct.
The Web Services adapter is a separate license.

What I was referring to was Reporting Server Web Services which will be available with 7.7.

See the following WebFOCUS Newsletter I wrote on Reporting Server Web Services:

http://www.informationbuilders...r/10-2/03_efrem.html