Jaspersoft Studio is offered in two different versions: a stand-alone Rich Client Platform (RCP) product, and an Eclipse plug-in version. If you have worked with Eclipse, you are likely familiar with the user interface; those familiar with iReport will find that the layout is different in the new designer. Both the stand-alone and plug-in versions have a similar user interface. “Jaspersoft Studio User Interface”, shows a preview of the Jaspersoft Studio interface, with the main areas highlighted:
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Jaspersoft Studio User Interface |
Jaspersoft Studio has a multi-tab editor, which includes three tabs: Design, Source, and Preview:
| • | The Design tab is the main one selected when you open a report file and it allows you to graphically create your report. |
| • | The Source tab contains the JRXML source code for your report. |
| • | The Preview tab lets you run the report preview after having selected a data source and output format. |
You can explore the data using the following views:
| • | The Repository Explorer view maintains the list of JasperReports Server connections and available data adapters. |
| • | The Project Explorer view maintains the list of the projects in the current workspace, usually JasperReports Server project. |
| • | The Outline view shows the complete structure of the report in a tree-form way. |
| • | The Properties view is common to most Eclipse-based plug-ins. It contains properties information for the selected element. When you select a report element from the main design area (such as a text field) or from the Outline, the Properties view shows information about it. Some of these properties are read-only, but most are editable and their modification change the elements that are drawn (such as element width or height). |
| • | The Problems view shows a list of problems and errors that can, for example, block the correct compilation of a report. |
| • | The Report state summary provides statistics on report compilation/filling/execution. Errors are shown here as well. |
This comparison table shows the differences in terminology between iReport and Jaspersoft Studio.
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iReport |
Jaspersoft Studio |
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JasperReports Server Repository |
Repository Explorer |
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Report Inspector |
Outline view |
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Report Designer |
Report editing area |
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Problems List |
Problems view |
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Elements palette |
Designer Palette |
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Formatting tools |
Available via context menu on the element |
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Property sheet |
Properties view |
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Styles library |
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Project Explorer |
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iReport Output window |
Report State summary |
