Communicating between Java and BIRT

[BJSJC]

Ok, here is what I need to do:

I need to create a BIRT chart with # Infections (of virus data) vs time. So I'm basically trying to make a bar chart where it graphs how many times that virus was seen over a week or something similar. My question is the following: How can I connect the BIRT with my Java Objects, since my Java Objects are returning the data used by the chart? So basically I need for the user to specify, on a BIRT table, which virus they want to graph, and then I need for them to type in what time period to graph it over, and then I need for BIRT to request this information from my Java code.

Hope that makes sense. And I am, of course, researching this on my own also, but if anyone has any suggestions, that'd be great. Appreciated in advance.

[BJSJC]

Also, I might be able to make a data set that contains all of my virus data, then filter out anything that isn't = to the virus that the user is currently selecting, and also filter out anything between the dates the user specified. . but considering the vast number of options the user could select, I would rather do what I said above and intercommunicate between Java and BIRT based on what the user is selecting & what they type in labels or whatever on the birt report.

[bhanley]

Sounds like you will need a custom parameter page (likely JSP) that will allow the user to supply you the inputs you need. Then you can create a scripted data source in BIRT that will allow you to bind your Java Object to the BIRT report data source.

There are a number of examples on the Dev Share as to how to build a Scripted Data source. Let me know if you need any help hammering out specifics.

Good Luck!

[BJSJC]

I already know how to build Scripted data sets... but I need BIRT to dynamically request a Java Object for specific data based on what the user has selected in the BIRT table. I can't do that using BIRT? And JSP is JavaServerPages I thought, I don't really know much about them but I don't see where it fits in here. Thanks for your responses

[BJSJC]

Ok, after some more research it seems like a feasible way to do this would be to define a dynamic data set - so a java object would be the data source. Then, when the java object had new data, the chart would be notified and the chart would ask the java object for its new data. Is this feasible or no?

edit: now that I reread your post this seems somewhat similar to what you are suggesting - no?

[BJSJC]

herro? ......

[BJSJC]

Any further explanation?

Or any other ideas anyone?

[johnw]

Where is the data stored? There are a few IPC methods to consider, maybe a web service, maybe make your data classes inherit IsSerializable, serialize them and pass them in as parameters. You could add the data objects to the context somewhere.

A few different options without knowing the architecture of your application better.