FastReport 2.

4
for Delphi 2-7 & C++Builder 1-6

READ THIS FILE ACCURATELY BEFORE INSTALLING FR2.4!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Capabilities
3. Installing
4. Backward compatibility
5. Ordering
6. Notes
7. Credits
8. Other products recommended to use

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1. INTRODUCTION
FastReport is reporting tool component. It consists of report engine,
designer and preview. It written on 100% Object Pascal and can be installed
in Delphi 2-7 and C++Builder 1-6. Also available cross-platform version
FR CLX for Delphi 6, C++ Builder 6 and Kylix 1,2 - check out webpage to
get latest information.

FastReport 2.4 is SHAREWARE. See "Ordering" topic for details.

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2. CAPABILITIES
- Fast, compact and flexible code allows you to extend FR functionality.
No additional DLLs needed.
- Built-in powerful and easy-to-use designer (also available in run-time).
- Suitable MSWord-like report preview with "Search text" and "Edit" functions.
- Set of most useful components: Text, Line, Picture, Shape, OLE, RichText,
Chart, Barcode. You can also write your own components.
- Ability to export your reports to other formats (such as TXT, RTF, CSV,
HTML, PDF and other).
- Built-in Pascal-like language allows you write code without programming
in Delphi. It allows you to create reports that can't be created in other
tools.
- Script editor with syntax highligt.
- FR reports can contain dialogue forms that you can use to ask
parameters before prepare a report. You can have as many dialogs as you need.
FR uses the same designer for dialogs and have set of standart dialog
controls like Button, Edit, CheckBox and other.
- Set of DB engines for FR allow you to create table/query/database components
in run-time. Your reports can be completely independent of your application!
- FR can obtain data from tables and queries, arrays and data files - from
any source. FR is not BDE-dependent, you can use it with *any* DB library
that is based on standard TDataset component. You can also use FR with
IB_Objects - powerful and wide-known library for Interbase DBMS.
- Localization in 19 languages. You can use FR in international applications.
- Full Bi-directional text output.

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3. INSTALLING
 Before installing, remove any other version of FastReport from the Delphi
component palette. Create a folder under your Delphi folder, typically FR240
and decompress the files in 240core.zip and 240reg.zip to this directory.
! USE WINZIP or WINRAR - ARCHIVE CONTAINS LONG FILE NAMES !

FR2.4 includes full source code. Trial version contains almost all sources
(only one compiled unit). Before installing, you should copy this unit
from ..\FR\LIB_DX to ..\FR\SOURCE.
! DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING IN FR.INC FILE OF TRIAL FR VERSION !

3.1. Delphi 2.0

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D2 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
If you have TChart or TeeChartPro open the file \fr240\source\FR.inc
with any text editor and uncomment the required string, then save the file -
this will allow the TfrChart component to be installed.
Now open Delphi 2 and select close all from the file menu this will close
the default starting project. Select Install from the component menu select
add the select browse in the dialog box select the source folder under the
folder to which you installed FastReport then select FR_REG.PAS file, click
Ok, when you return to the install dialog window click Ok again and your
library should recompile.
If you have any problems see installing components in your Delphi Manual.
Note: You should make a backup copy of the Delphi CMPLIB32.DCL AND SAVE IT
IN A DIFFERENT FOLDER - THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO REPLACE YOUR LIBRARY IF IT
FAILS TO COMPILE .
After compiling, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi2\Help;
- make reserved copy of file ..\Delphi2\BIN\Delphi.hdx;
- run ..\Delphi2\HELP\TOOLS\HelpInst.exe;
- open file ..\Delphi2\BIN\Delphi.hdx and choose "Keywords/Add Keyword File";
- open file FR.kwf from ..\Delphi2\HELP;
- save all work by "File/Save" menu command;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi2\Help\Delphi.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.2. Delphi 3.0

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D3 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
Run Delphi, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR3.dpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into Delphi.
After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi3\Help;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi3\Help\Delphi3.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.3. Delphi 4.0.

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D4 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
 Run Delphi, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR4.dpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into Delphi.
After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi4\Help;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi4\Help\Delphi4.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.4. Delphi 5.0.

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D5 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
Run Delphi, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR5.dpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into Delphi.
After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi5\Help;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi5\Help\Delphi5.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.5. Delphi 6.0.

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D6 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
Run Delphi, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR6.dpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into Delphi.
After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi6\Help;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi6\Help\Delphi6.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.6. Delphi 7.0.

Copy file FR_Class.dcu from ..\FR\LIB_D7 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating
FR).
Run Delphi, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR7.dpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into Delphi.
After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs appears in Delphi's
components palette. AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT DELPHI!
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
 For adding FR help file to the Delphi help system, you should:
- copy files from ..\FR\Help\English to ..\Delphi7\Help;
- add the following lines to ..\Delphi6\Help\Delphi7.cnt:
:Index FastReport Reference=FR.hlp
:Link FR.hlp

3.7. C++Builder 4.0.

Copy files FR_Class.obj, FR_Class.hpp from ..\FR\CBUILD4 and FR_Class.dcu
from ..\FR\LIB_D4 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating FR).
Run C++Builder, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR4.bpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into IDE. After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs
appears in C++Builder components palette.
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT C++BUILDER!
For adding FR help file to the C++Builder help system, choose
"Help/Customize..." menu command. In "OpenHelp" dialog in "Contents" tab
add file ..\FR\Help\English\FR.cnt, and in "Index" tab add file
..\FR\Help\English\FR.hlp. After this, save help project
("File|Save Project" menu command).

3.8. C++Builder 5.0.

Copy files FR_Class.obj, FR_Class.hpp from ..\FR\CBUILD5 and FR_Class.dcu
from ..\FR\LIB_D5 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating FR).
Run C++Builder, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR5.bpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into IDE. After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs
appears in C++Builder components palette.
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT C++BUILDER!
For adding FR help file to the C++Builder help system, choose
"Help/Customize..." menu command. In "OpenHelp" dialog in "Contents" tab
add file ..\FR\Help\English\FR.cnt, and in "Index" tab add file
..\FR\Help\English\FR.hlp. After this, save help project
("File|Save Project" menu command).

3.9. C++Builder 6.0.

Copy files FR_Class.obj, FR_Class.hpp from ..\FR\CBUILD6 and FR_Class.dcu
from ..\FR\LIB_D6 to ..\FR\SOURCE (if you evaluating FR).
Run C++Builder, choose "File/Open..." menu command and open package
FR6.bpk from ..\FR\SOURCE. In package editor, choose "Compile" button
to compile package. After compiling, press "Install" button to install
package into IDE. After installing, "FastReport" and "FR Tools" tabs
appears in C++Builder components palette.
Choose "Tools/Environment options..." menu command. Go "Library" tab
and add path to ..\FR\SOURCE directory to the "Library path" string.
AFTER INSTALLING YOU SHOULD REBOOT C++BUILDER!
For adding FR help file to the C++Builder help system, choose
"Help/Customize..." menu command. In "OpenHelp" dialog in "Contents" tab
add file ..\FR\Help\English\FR.cnt, and in "Index" tab add file
..\FR\Help\English\FR.hlp. After this, save help project
("File|Save Project" menu command).

3.10. Installing additional components.

There are three additional components included in standard FR package.
These components can be found in SOURCE\BDE, SOURCE\IBX and SOURCE\ADO
folders. They supersede old datamanager (TfrDataStorage component). To
install them, use same technique as described above. Each component have
a package file. To install in Delphi2, use file with Reg suffix (for example,
FR_BDEReg.pas).
WARNING! The old datamanager (TfrDataStorage) is outdated. It included in
this FR version, but will be removed in the next version. We highly
recommended to stop using it, move to new components and convert your existing
reports.

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4. BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY
.frf files from FR2.1...FR2.4 is compatible. You can use FR2.1 .frf
in FR2.4; but you can't use new .frf files in older FR versions and builds.
See faq.txt if you want to open FreeReport 2.21 files.
FR CLX files can be opened by FR2.45 version. Since CLX and VCL uses
different paper numbering you may need to change paper format after opening
FR CLX report file.
Old datamanager (TfrDataManager) is not installed by default. Remove
comment from {$DEFINE DATAMANAGER} line in FR.inc file to install it.

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5. REGISTERING
FastReport 2.4 is shareware. You can try trial version of FR2.4, which
prints only one page of report with nag label "FastReport - unregistered".
Full version of FR shipped with full source code.
Single copy of FR2.4 costs $99. Site license (unlimited number of copies)
costs $990. You can register it with RegisterNow! or ShareIt online services
which accepts all kinds of payment. (to buy site license, buy 10 copies of FR).
To register, go FR home page http://www.fast-report.com, "Register Now"
reference. Registered users gets technical support and can upgrade to the next
version of FR with no additional payment (FR CLX is separate product, you need
to buy it even if you already registered FR 2.4).

Our reseller in Poland:

Bartlomiej Zass (e-komp.net company): [email protected]
mobile: +48 502 826 355
www.fastreport.prv.pl

Our reseller in Germany:

HK-Softwarevertrieb http://www.h-k.de/shop
Andrea Armbruster . Huntestrasse 15 . 26135 Oldenburg . Germany.
Phone/Fax: +49 (0)700 IBEXPERT (42397378)
Email [email protected]

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6. NOTES
All units written by author, except the following:
- RichEdit editor taked from \DEMOS\RICHEDIT.
- Delphi version determining taken from RX 2.60.
- TfrSpeedButton component is based on RX TrxSpeedButton.
- Barcode component (frBarcod.pas) is written by Andreas Schmidt
and friends (freeware).
- See also "CREDITS" topic.

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7. CREDITS

Olivier Guilbaud <[email protected]>:

- Barcode add-in (FR_BarC.pas)
- RoundRect add-in (FR_RRect.pas)
- Interface with OpenQueryBuilder (FR_QBEng.pas)

Dmitry Statilko <[email protected]>:

- Flat comboboxes (FR_Combo.pas)

Andrew Semack <[email protected]>:

- Interface with IB_Objects

EMS Company, Alexander Khvastunov <[email protected]>:

- TfrIBXComponents
- TfrFIBComponents

Michael Shmakov <[email protected]>:

- TfrDAOComponents

Andrew Dyrda <[email protected]>:

- Documentation

Konstantin Butov <[email protected]>:

- Idea and first version of TfrPrintGrid component

Sergey Repalov <[email protected]>:

- TfrRTF_RS_ExportFilter

Oleg Kharin <[email protected]>:

- Full WYSIWYG support

Stalker <[email protected]>:
- A lot of suggestions and bug reports
- TfrAsaComponents and others

Boris Loboda <[email protected]>:

- Help with hosting

Akzhan Abdulin <[email protected]>:

- Life-time "moderatorial [-]" in RU.DELPHI :))

Pavel Ishenin <[email protected]>

- RTF, HTM export;
- TfrCrossView enchancements

Localization:
- Carsten Bech <[email protected]> (danish)
- Wy <[email protected]> (chinese)
- Roberto Mambriani <[email protected]> (italian)
- Bartlomiej Zass <[email protected]> (polish)
- Bolek Umnicki <[email protected]> (polish)
- Josep Mas <[email protected]> (catalan)
- Nei <[email protected]> (portuguese-brazil)
- Isaque Pinheiro <[email protected]> (portuguese-brazil)
- Bobby Gallagher <[email protected]> (english)
- Francisco Purrinos <[email protected]> (spanish)
- Andreas Pohl <[email protected]> (german)
 - Stefan Diestelmann <[email protected]> (german)
- Arpad Toth <[email protected]> (czech, slovak)
- Le Hung <[email protected]> (hungary)
- Tochenjuk Oleg <[email protected]> (ukrainian)
- Pierre Demers <[email protected]> (french)
- Olivier Guilbaud <[email protected]> (french)
- Craig Manley <[email protected]> (dutch)
- Burhan Chakmak <[email protected]> (turkish)
- Jan W <[email protected]> (swedish)
- Primoz Planinc <[email protected]> (slovene)

Also thanks to all FR users who sent bugreports and suggestions!

8. OTHER PRODUCTS FastReport Software RECOMMENDED

All the products in this chapter are fully compatible with FastReport and
recommended to work with our product.

AidAim Software
---------------

AidAim Software team of highly professional developers working in the

fields of DBMS, cryptography and data compression is focused on the
building of components, libraries and tools for software developers.
AidAim Software provides the 24x7 support for customers as well as
consulting services in set forth above fields.
http://www.aidaim.com

EasyTable: High-speed compact DB engine for Delphi and C++ Builder

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Distribute your application with EasyTable and forget Borland Database

Engine (BDE). EasyTable is compact but powerful, EasyDB technology.
With EasyTable you don't need special installation and configuration, it
compiles right into your EXE. Make your application faster and smaller
using EasyTable database system.
Key Features:
# No BDE; no DLLs; full source code included
# Unmatched ease-of-use
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# All tables in one database file
# Fully compatible with standard DB-aware controls
# Encryption, BLOB data compression and much more.

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With Easy Compression Library you can add advanced compression and
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Key Features:
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# Unmatched ease-of-use
# No DLLs, compiles right into your EXE; small customizable footprint
# Full compatible with Borland stream classes
# Strong encryption, compression on-the-fly, and much more.

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FastReport Software,
Alexander Tzyganenko - Chief Technology Officer

e-mail: [email protected]
web sites: http://www.fast-report.com
http://www.fastreport.org
http://www.fastreport.ru