Dynamic datasource name

Hi
Is there a way we can define the datasource name/connection string for a
report in a config file... and read it from there so that it would make the
job of deploying across various servers easy?Various approaches for dynamic database connections in RS 2000 are
available:
* Use a custom data processing extension
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/RSPROG/htm/rsp_prog_extend_dataproc_5c2q.asp
* Use the SOAP API by calling SetDataSourceContents:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rsprog/htm/rsp_ref_soapapi_service_lz_2ojd.asp
* Use the linked server functionality of SQL Server - you should some
threads about it in the archives of this newsgroup.
* If the databases are on the same server, use a dynamic query text (i.e.
="select * from " & Parameters!DatabaseName.Value & "..table")
* If you're just toggling between two or three databases, you can publish
the same report 3 times with 3 different names using 3 different data
sources and write a main report that shows/hides the correct subreport based
on whatever criteria you want.
In addition, native support (expression-based connection strings) is
available in RS 2005: Finish the design of the datasets with a constant
connection string and make sure everything works. Then, go back to the data
tab and open the dataset/data source dialog and change the connection string
to be an expression. Use string concatenation to plug in the parameter
value. Here is an example of how the RDL would look for a parameter-based
connection string:
<DataSources>
<DataSource Name="Northwind">
<ConnectionProperties>
<DataProvider>SQL</DataProvider>
<ConnectString>="data source=" & Parameters!ServerName.Value
& ";initial catalog=Northwind;"</ConnectString>
<IntegratedSecurity>true</IntegratedSecurity>
</ConnectionProperties>
</DataSource>
</DataSources>
<ReportParameters>
<ReportParameter Name="ServerName">
<DataType>String</DataType>
<Prompt>ServerName</Prompt>
</ReportParameter>
</ReportParameters>
You can also check this blog posting:
http://blogs.msdn.com/bwelcker/archive/2005/04/29/413343.aspx
-- Robert
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"PV" <PV@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:25C803F0-8944-4712-9A72-51F26DED394D@.microsoft.com...
> Hi
> Is there a way we can define the datasource name/connection string for a
> report in a config file... and read it from there so that it would make
> the
> job of deploying across various servers easy?