Firebird database pack doesn't auto retrieve tables?

[colinb]

Hi,

We are evaluating Stimulsoft and really like it so far, but we would like to be able to use it for Firebird databases as well.

Using the database pack and following all of the required steps, we've got this working, but it works slightly different than the included SQL Connection when adding a connection and data source.

I'm using the following steps:

Dictionary -> Add new connection -> Firebird connection -> Filling in the connection string -> Test -> Test OK! -> OK.

So far so good. Then, I do the following:

New Datasource -> Choose the just created Firebird connection -> OK.

Now, when using a SQL Server connection, in this step, I'd automatically see a list of all of the tables that are in the database. When using a Firebird database, I do not and I'd have to query for all of the tables using Query New and so. (which works by the way, I can do select queries from there)

I haven't tried any of the other database packs, so is this a limitation of all database packs or just the Firebird pack? Perhaps a limitation of Firebird itself? Or was there another reason why this wasn't implemented?

Thanks in advance.

[Edward]

Hi

Yes, it is true in the current realization Query Builder does not support Firebird server. Only retrieving of Data Columns for queries is supported right now for Firebird.

Thank you.

[colinb]

Thanks for your reply.

Are there plans to add this support and if so, when could that be expected?

By the way, the query builder indeed doesn't work, but I was also talking about the step before creating a query (The Select data screen). It would be nice if all of the tables would be shown even before creating a query, just like what happens with a SQL Server connection. By the way, using your Oracle database pack, this also doesn't show all of the tables in the Select data screen, while when using an OleDB connection for Oracle, this does work.

[Edward]

Hi,

No there is no plans about modifications of the QueryBuilder, but retrieving of the tables is the task which we added in to do list and will let you know when it is available.

Thank you for the information about behaviour of the report with the different providers.

Thank you.

[colinb]

You're welcome and thanks for putting it on your to do list. We look forward to seeing it in your product.

Edit: One more thing: if we would purchase Stimulsoft including the source code, would it be possible for us to add an SQL dialect for Firebird to the Query builder ourselves? Thank you.

[Jan]

Hello,

You can do it, but this is not easy task, because you need create big metadata provider class.

Thank you.

[colinb]

Ah I see, sounds like a challenge then.

On the other hand, it seems to me like you're using Active Query Builder in your product, because the interface looks quite alike. Active Query Builder also does provide Firebird support in the non-free version (in addition to a universal dialect (ANSI SQL) provider).

So is that metadata provider class a class that sits between Active Query Builder and your own classes or is it the Active Query Builder provider class? Also, are the metadata provider classes for SQL Server / Oracle for example included as source, so that we can use them as an example for how to implement one for Firebird?

Thanks again.

Edit: or could we even easily connect a query builder like the latest Active Query Builder in code by ourselves?

[Edward]

Hi

Yes, we took that component as our base and it were quite a long ago. But according with our licence we could not simply add support of some features.

Thank you.

[colinb]

Thanks a lot for your reply! Now we have enough information to make a decision about our purchase.

[Edward]

Hi Colin,

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help.

Thank you.