Linux Dotnet Crystalreports Via Crystalcmd

CrystalCMD is a C#/dotnet program that loads JSON files into Crystal Reports to produce PDFs. Initially an experimental proof of concept, it demonstrates generating Crystal Reports on Linux using the .NET framework (wine).

Key Features:

  • PDF Generation: Converts JSON (and embedded csv) data into PDF reports with Crystal Reports templates.
  • Command Line & Server Modes: Supports both modes; server mode is recommended for better performance.
  • Cross-Platform: Works on Linux and can run .NET implementations using Wine.

Client

Nuget package

dotnet add package Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.Client

Curl example

curl -u "username:password" -F "reportdata=@test.json" -F "reporttemplate=@the_dataset_report.rpt" http://127.0.0.1:4321/export --output testout.pdf

C# code example

DataTable dt = new DataTable();

// init reprt data
var reportData = new Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.Common.Data()
{
    DataTables = new Dictionary<string, string>(),
    MoveObjectPosition = new List<Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.Common.MoveObjects>(),
    Parameters = new Dictionary<string, object>(),
    SubReportDataTables = new List<Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.Common.SubReports>()
};

// add as many data tables as needed.  The client library will do the necessary conversions to json/csv.
reportData.AddData("report name goes here", "table name goes here", dt);

// export to pdf
var crystalReport = System.IO.File.ReadAllBytes("The rpt template file path goes here");
using (var instream = new MemoryStream(crystalReport))
using (var outstream = new MemoryStream())
{
    var rpt = new Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.Client.Report(serverUrl, username: "The server username goes here", password: "The server password goes here");
    using (var stream = await rpt.GenerateAsync(reportData, instream, _httpClient))
    {
        stream.CopyTo(outstream);
        return outstream.ToArray();
    }
}

Postman Collection

Majorsilence.CrystalCMD.postman_collection.json

Server requirements

See Crystal Reports, Developer for Visual Studio Downloads

  • Download the Crystal Reports .net runtime from: https://origin.softwaredownloads.sap.com/public/site/index.html
    • CR for Visual Studio SP35 CR Runtime 64-bit
    • CR for Visual Studio SP35 CR Runtime 32-bit
  • Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.NetFrameworkServer
    • net4.8 webapi project
  • Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.NetframeworkConsoleServer
    • an embedio based console app/webserver
    • can be run on Linux using wine

Server

Docker run

docker run -p 44355:44355 -e OVERRIDE_WINEARCH_AS_X64='yes' majorsilence/dotnet_framework_wine_crystalcmd:1.0.25-alpine

Windows Service Run

Use nssm or powershell to register the Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.NetframeworkConsoleServer.exe.

$serviceName = "CrystalCmdService"
$exePath = "C:\Path\To\Majorsilence.CrystalCmd.NetframeworkConsoleServer.exe"
$displayName = "Crystal Command Service"
$description = "A service for Majorsilence Crystal Command"

New-Service -Name $serviceName -BinaryPathName $exePath -DisplayName $displayName -Description $description -StartupType Automatic

# Set the service to restart on failure
sc.exe failure $serviceName reset= 0 actions= restart/60000/restart/60000/restart/60000

# Verify service configuration
Get-Service -Name $serviceName
sc.exe qc $serviceName
sc.exe qfailure $serviceName