## User defined data sources

JReport Designer can access data from an external data source, such as a text file, or Lotus Notes, which is not stored in a database, or when there is no JDBC driver available. This feature uses the user data source API provided by JReport.

However, due to the unique nature of Oracle stored procedures, you will not be able to add them into a JReport catalog directly. The usage of JReport is therefore limited when you use an Oracle database. As a substitute, JReport has developed a user data source class that can use stored procedures in Oracle.

In addition, JReport Designer provides you with the Data Manager which allows you to control the data retrieval of your UDS that function as queries, including the number of rows to be displayed and the duration required for the retrieval. It can also keep access information from previous runs of a UDS (for details, see Data Manager).

Pick a task from the following:

- User data source API
- Adding a UDS to a catalog
- Developing reports from UDS
- Oracle stored procedure UDS
- EnterpriseDB stored procedure UDS