Crystal Reports & SQL Server 2000

Question

Crystal Reports & SQL Server 2000

MegaDBA

Hall of Fame

Points: 3518
More actions
September 19, 2002 at 1:50 pm

#64143

Hi everyone,
I have some developers working on reports built in Seagate Crystal Reports 8.5. Erroneously, we began our development utilizing sa (with a password)as the connection login and password. I say erroneously because I developed roles for this. I beleive CR should connect using an application role as opposed to connecting as as standard role. Can someone explain to me the difference between application roles and standard and how does CR connect to SQL Server?

Aurora

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

Steven. SSCrazy Eights Points: 9806 More actions · Answer 1

With standard roles, you assign user account to the role. ie they need a account to gain access to the sql server and database.

With Application roles the application logs onto the database using the guest account and then runs the 'sp_setapprole' stored procedure to use the application role. Therefore only the guest account needs to exist (plus the app role). ie Users don't need their own accounts.

The best description of application roles will be in books online.

As for Crystal reports, I don't know if it supports application roles. Normally I have found people use it via a odbc connection, hence the users need a account and permissions to the db etc.

Steven

Antares686 SSC Guru Points: 125444 More actions · Answer 2

Steven is righ, to my knowledge CR does not support app roles and no plans to change that. We use sql accounts to provide access to the data, which you can replace sa with and even set a runtime in your app.

"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)

MegaDBA Hall of Fame Points: 3518 More actions · Answer 3

What is a runtime in the app? Forgive my ignorance on the programming side of things, that is exactly why I'm out here trying to learn more about how applications connect to the dB

Thanks

Aurora

Antares686 SSC Guru Points: 125444 More actions · Answer 4

For Example when I write an app in ASP I will have to use Server.CreateObject and supply the proper com interface which Crstal comes with a reusable page for this. When the page is executed that is condsidered runtime (time at which application is considered running). When the page is run the first thing it does is establish the connection to our sql server and the userid and password to connect with.

"Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)