Open Source Java Reporting Framework [closed]

Question

i want to create few Reports which picks data from few SQL tables, So instead of creating different report's i want to create (or use any Open source) reporting framework, I googled about it but still didn't find enough information to try one.

Following are my requirements:

  Filters : Support for different types of Filtering mechanism for the End User
  DataSource : SQL Table
  UI :  user Defined UI for every user (user specific information can be persisted in DB)
  Number of concurrent users : 10 (Max)
  server : tomcat
  Support for graph/Charts
  javascript support for customizable UI

i have heard about Jasper / birt framework but dont have working knowledge for any 1 of them so can some one suggest if there exists a opensource framework which i can use for the above mentioned requirements

Answer 1

There are the tools around the JasperReports library like iReport and JasperServer all from JasperSoft. The tools around Eclipse Birt. And then there are the tools from Pentaho.

All three are very powerful and open source and can do what you need. There is plenty of tooling and documentation available and you can buy commercial support for them. Your decision will be based a bit around licensing and potential need for features that are only in the commercial version (e.g. of JasperServer).

Answer 2

Your requirements can be met with both JasperReports and BIRT frameworks.

Consider trying iReport, which is a very mature graphical designer for JasperReports. I must warn you though, iReport is highly addictive ... :-)

Answer 3

I was in the same situation. First I tried Jasper (Ireport for GUI jasperreport design), but it was too inconvenient and non-intuitive. I tried Birt and it works perfectly. You should start from this demo:

http://download.eclipse.org/birt/downloads/examples/misc/BIRT2.1Demo/EclipseDemo.html

, it's very good in clarifying how to work and implement reports in Eclipse. Also Birt plugin for Eclipse contains very good interactive helpers - just add the report template and follow steps from interactive helper. Very useful.

You can also try different demos for iReport: http://ireport-tutorial.blogspot.com/2008/10/ireport-parameterized-report.html