How to use a custom data source

[shaheenm]

Hi there

I'm trying to use iReport to create reports for data I have inside my application.  I dont have a database and all the data is in objects and arraylists.  I've tried creating a Custom datasource and data provider but iReport does not see the fields I have placed in the data provider.  I cannot compile the report and cannot test if it works.

How does one go about this.

I even copied and pasted the example custom datasource with the Student object and tried that, but no luck.  Why isnt there a better tutorial?

[bruce_martin]

Suggest using JRDesignField instead of jrbasicfield in TestDataSourceProvider.

 

I put some notes / examples for interfacing with IReports 3.1.4; it is a bit out of date now but may be of some use: http://ffreport.sourceforge.net/WritingPlugin.html#Header_13

 

In those examples I am using JRDesignField.

[shaheenm]

This is so infuriating.  But i figured it out.

Basically it boils down to this.  iReport cannot read the fields from your custom datasource.  So you have to create them by adding the fields you're gonna use manually to the report and then place them on the report.  the report will then compile and be able to use the data you provide later.

Why didnt they just say that in the first place.