#### Web Component Server vs. Active Server Pages

As an alternative to using the Web Component Server, you can use Active Server Pages. The method you use depends on whether you are a web administrator or a web developer.

If you are responsible for web development (writing scripts and applications to customize the functionality of your site), you may want to consider using the RDC Automation Server and Active Server Pages. The RDC Automation Server provides complete control over how reports are presented and delivered to a client. Powerful features such as changing the source of data used or manipulating existing report formulas are available at runtime. However, the RDC Automation Server requires extensive programming inside the Active Server Page environment. Familiarity with a scripting language such as VBScript or JScript is required.

Note: If you are not using a Microsoft or other ISAPI compliant web server, the RDC Automation Server and Active Server Pages are not available as a means of distributing reports from a web site.

In contrast, the Web Component Server takes less time to set up and does not require any programming or scripting. You simply store reports inside a directory accessible by your web server, then create standard HTML style links to the reports in your web pages. You are able to make some runtime changes to reports, such as record selection and the ability to change stored parameters. However, these options are limited in both scope and functionality.

For more information about using Active Server Pages, refer to the RDC Automation Server in the Technical Reference Guide.

Seagate Software, Inc. http://www.seagatesoftware.com Please send comments to: techpubs@seagatesoftware.com