User`s guide

20.2.2.1 Crystal and Basic syntax
When creating formulas, you have the option of using either Crystal or Basic syntax. Almost any formula
written with one syntax can be written with the other. Reports can contain formulas that use Basic syntax
as well as formulas that use Crystal syntax.
Crystal syntax is the formula language included in all versions of Crystal Reports.
If you are familiar with Microsoft Visual Basic or other versions of Basic, then Basic syntax may be more
familiar to you. In general, Basic syntax is modeled on Visual Basic except that it has specific extensions
to handle reporting.
If you are already comfortable with Crystal syntax, you can continue to use it, and benefit from the new
functions, operators and control structures inspired by Visual Basic.
Note:
• Record selection and group selection formulas cannot be written in Basic syntax.
• Report processing is not slowed down by using Basic syntax. Reports using Basic syntax formulas
can run on any machine that Crystal Reports runs on.
• Using Basic syntax formulas does not require distributing any additional files with your reports.
20.2.2.2 For more information
• To learn about Basic syntax, see Creating Formulas with Basic syntax in the online help.
• To learn about Crystal syntax, see Creating Formulas with Crystal syntax in the online help.
20.3 User Function Libraries in formulas
Crystal Reports lets developers create User Function Libraries (UFLs) that are recognized by the
Formula Editor. A UFL is a library of functions that is created by a developer to address a specific need.
UFLs can be programmed in a COM or a Java environment.
Crystal Reports lets you see COM UFLs or Java UFLs in the Formula Editor, but not both at the same
time. (You can also choose to see no UFLs.)
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Using Formulas