Previous TopicNext Topic


Overview of BIRT scripting

When developing a BIRT report using the Eclipse Workbench, you can write custom event handlers in either Java or JavaScript. When developing a BIRT report using the Eclipse RCP, you can write only JavaScript event handlers. Whether you use Java or JavaScript, the set of event handlers that you can write is the same.

Choosing between Java and JavaScript

Both Java and JavaScript have advantages and disadvantages when writing an event handler. For a developer who is familiar with only one of the two languages, the advantage of using the familiar language is obvious but for all others, the decision depends on the report requirements.

The advantages of using JavaScript to write an event handler include:

The advantages of using Java to write an event handler include:

Using both Java and JavaScript to write event handlers

You are not limited to writing all event handlers in one language. You can write some in Java and others in JavaScript. If you have both a Java and a JavaScript event handler for the same event, BIRT uses the JavaScript handler.

You can run the report outside of the previewer by choosing File->View Report->View Report in Web Viewer.


(c) Copyright Actuate Corporation 2006

Previous TopicNext Topic