ActiveReports allows you to use VB.NET or C# script to port your custom logic to report layouts. This permits layouts saved to report XML (RPX) files to serve as stand-alone reports. By including scripting before you save the report layout as an RPX file, you can later load, run, and display the report directly to the viewer control without using the designer. In conjunction with RPX files, scripting allows you to update distributed reports without recompiling your project.

ActiveReports loads RPX files, including any scripting, in the InitializeComponent() method.

You can add C# or VB.NET code to the script editor at design time or by using the rpt.Script property at run time. The script is then saved to the RPX file along with layout information.

To access the script editor, click the script tab below the report design surface.

Since the RPX file can be read with any text editor, use the AddCode or AddNamedItem method to add secure information such as a connection string.

Note: The ActiveReports script editor supports IntelliSense that helps the writing of code by making the access to the language elements fast and easy.

Tips for Using Script

• Keep the report class public. If the report class is private, the script cannot recognize the items in your report. The report class is public by default.
• Set the Modifiers property of any control referenced in script to Public. If the control's Modifiers property is not set to Public, the control cannot be referenced in script and an error occurs when the report is run. The Modifiers property has a default value of Private, so you must set this property in the designer.
• Use "this" (as in C# code-behind) or "Me" (as in VB code-behind) to reference the report. Using "rpt" to reference the report is also possible but it is recommended to use the "this" and "Me" keywords.

  Note: The basic approach of using the "this/Me" and "rpt" keywords is as follows - use "this/Me" to access the properties and controls added to the sections of the report, whereas use "rpt" within the instance of the ActiveReports class only to access its public properties, public events and public methods.

• Use error handling. When working with script, use error handling around the .Run() call. When errors are raised, the returned error points to the section of script causing the error.

Difference in script and code-behind event handler method definition

Code-behind and the script editor require a different syntax for the event handler method definition. You should use the Private modifier in code-behind and the Public modifier in the script editor.

See the examples of the ReportStart event handler definition in Visual Basic and C# below:

Script and code-behind examples in Visual Basic

Sub ActiveReport_ReportStart
End Sub 

Private Sub MyActiveReports_ReportStart(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.ReportStart
End Sub

Script and code-behind examples in C#

public void ActiveReport_ReportStart()
{
} 

private void MyActiveReports_ReportStart(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
}