BIRT (Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools) is an open-source Java project that provides reporting and business intelligence capabilities. It allows for the graphical representation of business logic and analyses. It was launched by the Eclipse Foundation in 2005 and has been one of the nonprofit organization’s top-level projects ever since.
BIRT can be used to create detailed reports, including sales analyses and annual reports, that draw on various data sources. The application makes it possible to organize these reports clearly and present them in an understandable way, thereby highlighting important relationships. In addition, the software can also be used to monitor key performance indicators for business success.
BIRT Tooling: Designer and Engine
At its core, the tool consists of two components: Designer and Engine.
The powerful Designer It is based on the Eclipse platform and offers a comprehensive range of features for creating reports. It features an intuitive interface that allows users to place report elements such as tables, charts, cross-tables, and text fields using drag-and-drop. Numerous design options are available to make the reports visually appealing.
In addition, complex reports can be created using groupings, sorting, filters, and calculations. The software supports the use of scripts for advanced customization and additional functionality. A real-time preview allows you to review changes immediately. Reports can be exported to various output formats, such as PDF, HTML, Excel, and CSV.
The main responsibilities of the Engine include, among other things:
- Connecting to and using the specified data source for reports
- Providing all the necessary drivers for the data sources
- The use of the created templates and their generation in the appropriate output format
The engine can be integrated into virtually any existing Java application or into a Tomcat server via a plug-in and thus run. Using it with Tomcat offers advantages such as the integrated BIRT Viewer Servlet, which supports web-based report viewing.
Data Sources in BIRT
Data sources are a key aspect of report creation. BIRT offers a comprehensive and powerful selection of these:
- Simple data structures such as CSV files and flat files can be used.
- In addition, integration with more complex data sources such as JDBC, MongoDB, web services, XML, and many others is also possible.
Open Data Access in BIRT
If the available options are insufficient, ODA (Open Data Access) offers the ability to develop custom drivers tailored precisely to specific requirements. This allows for the creation of custom forms that can be used by the data sets in the Designer. One potential use case for ODA is the consolidation and analysis of data from various sources, such as databases, CRM systems, and Excel spreadsheets. Using BIRT and the appropriate ODA drivers, reports can be created that combine and visualize data from different sources to support informed business decisions.
Advanced Data Processing with Scripted Data Sources
Scripted data sources in BIRT allow developers to create custom scripts to retrieve and process data from a variety of sources (such as parameters, ODA interfaces, and MySQL).
These scripts are used to generate complex queries, transform data, apply filters, or perform other data manipulations. By using Scripted Data Sources, developers can extend BIRT’s functionality and implement specific requirements for data retrieval and processing in their reports. This enables greater flexibility and adaptability in report creation.
Flexibility Through Parameterized Reports
In this context, it is important to emphasize the extremely flexible parameterization of the reports. These parameters can be freely defined and configured by both end users and the program before the report is generated. Later on, these parameters can be used in data source queries or directly in the logic for displaying elements based on conditions.
JavaScript in BIRT: Dynamic Design
Source: BIRT
Another notable strength of BIRT lies in its ability to design content in an extremely dynamic way using JavaScript. The Designer allows you to control all output and display options—such as visibility, colors, and labels—using JavaScript and to access all variables. By incorporating custom libraries or integrating with your own software, BIRT offers the ability to access Java methods, since it uses the „Rhino“ engine internally.
Source: BIRT
This flexibility also extends to „scripting“ and the available event system, which can be used to intervene in the rendering process of the components. This allows for customizations or the appropriate processing of data, such as dynamically changing the color of a row in a continuous table based on a specific query. This customization is implemented within the event by accessing the data.
Conclusion
BIRT is a versatile open-source software that enables users to create and design customized reports and dashboards. With BIRT, data from various sources can be consolidated and visualized in clear charts and tables. These features help companies make informed decisions based on meaningful reports.
In addition, BIRT is also very popular because of its flexibility and adaptability. Thanks to the active community and the project’s structured organization, developers can access knowledge quickly and at no cost. Furthermore, integration with existing software offers even greater adaptability compared to other external solutions.
