BIRT 2.3 What's New And the Ganymede IDE for Java Report Developers

Dodson: In previous versions of BIRT, you could modify the chart markers dynamically prior to generating a chart.  With BIRT 2.3, there are now events that fire during chart generation allowing you to change the chart markers dynamically based on data values.

Neethling: What are the style improvements that come with BIRT 2.3?

Dodson: There were several style changes made for BIRT 2.3.  First of all, in addition to reusable styles for a report, you can now copy and paste the format from one control to another.  A number of controls now have some new border types of groove, ridge, inset, and outset.  If you are using an external CSS file, you can now supply the runtime location of that CSS file so it no longer has to be packaged up with your application.

Neethling: The library explorer view has not only been renamed but dramatically improved. Please fill us in on the details and what improvements developers can look forward to.

Dodson: The Library Explorer is now called the Resource Explorer and allows you to navigate all your BIRT resources including libraries, images, JS files, CSS files, etc.  The Resource Explorer, used in conjunction with the new project specific settings, allows for a lot more flexibility by project.  It is also easier to add an element to the library by simple right-clicking a control and selecting Export to Library.

Neethling: What SQL related improvements have been added to BIRT for this version? Here I am also referring to the SQL Query Builder Prototype.

Dodson: BIRT 2.3 includes a prototype integration of the Graphical Query Builder from the Eclipse Data Tools Project (DTP).  This query builder allows you to graphically add tables, create joins between tables and select fields from a table, all while the SQL code is generated for you.  Currently, this feature is only available if you are using a Connection Profile Store to hold your data connection credentials.  In addition to the query builder, BIRT 2.3 now supports stored procedure that return multiple result sets or that return a cursor.