Obtain Report Data Using an External DLL

For a more complicated report, you may need a DLL to customise the logic.

To pass a parameter to the DLL:

  • For Boolean billboard parameters, the value is represented as Bool.
  • For Number billboard parameters, the value is represented as Double.
  • For String billboard parameters, the value is represented as String.
  • For Date billboard parameters, the value is represented as DateTime.
  • For List billboard parameters, the value is represented as a comma-delimited string.
  • For BTTextList billboard parameters, the value is represented as String.

Security Note: You need the Allow report maintenance security right in the Reports domain security rights group for this activity.

Activity Steps

  1. Write and test the DLL.

    Ensure that the method that takes in the arguments (hash table connections, hash table parameters) is exposed and returns a System.Data.DataSet object.

    The external DLL’s class should implement the IBTReportTableHandler interface.

  2. Place the DLL in the Reports folder within the MineMarket installation folder on the Application Server.

    MineMarket can only select DLLs that are in this location.

  3. Open the Report (configuration).
  4. Select the Data Set Editor tab.
  5. Set the Data Source Type to External DLL.
  6. If a report parameter is to be passed to the external DLL, configure the report parameter.
  7. Complete the following fields.
    • Database Connection
    • Assembly Name—The assembly path must be accessible via the MineMarket Server.
    • Class Name
    • Logo Organisation—Organisation or company whose logo displays in the report. Only applicable to the BTLogo data table of MineMarket standard reports. Select from all organisations and internal companies that have a logo. If no Logo Organisation is selected, the logo is retrieved from the organisation or company with an Alias2 of 'SITE'. If no such organisation or company exists, or if the organisation or company with Alias2 of 'SITE' does not contain a logo, the Datamine logo displays on the report.
  8. Click Save.