Report Definition Language Explained

Report Definition Language (RDL) is a standard proposed by Microsoft for defining reports.^[1]

RDL is an XML application primarily used with Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services. It is usually written using Visual Studio, although there are also third-party tools; it may also be created or edited by hand in a text editor. SQL Server Reporting Services or other third-party reporting frameworks use RDL to define charts, graphs, calculations, text, images (through links), and other report objects and render them in a variety of formats.

There are three high-level sections in a typical RDL file:

• Page style - The objects to display including fields, images, graphs, and tables.
• Field definitions - The extended attributes of fields that are populated with formulas, dynamic data, or Database derived data.
• Parameters and Database connections - Parameters that may be furnished by the user or passed in from another application; and database connections and queries for pulling data into the report.

External links

• Report Definition Language Specification

Notes and References

1. Web site: Introducing the report definition language .