crux: 1) a puzzling or difficult problem : an unsolved question (Merriam-Webster)

Does that describe what it's like to obtain useful information from your database?

DynaCRUX (Dynamically Create Reports Using XML) is a web-based report generator for databases. It is designed to be not only independent of browsers, but also of database technology. Thus, it can provide you, your management team, and your customers with a flexible facility for producing customized reports.

DynaCRUX can also get you an answer quickly without having to write complicated SQL queries. Just tell it what you want to know and specify the conditions using a simple Graphical User Interface and it will generate and run the queries for you.

DynaCRUX includes a number of useful features:

• A report definition can be stored in the database itself and retrieved at run time, so it does not need to be specified at every run.
• You can define and run an Instant Report, without saving it, if it is a one-time requirement.
• Every run of a report can be somewhat different, so there are run time controls that collect specific information about each run (e.g., a date range) that can be used in selecting the required information.
• There is grouping and sorting capability, as well as specifying which fields to include.
• While the retrieval provides the "data answers" to the user's question, presentation options make the data easier to understand. You can provide your own CSS files so DynaCRUX can be seamlessly added to your own web application.
• For fields that are not actually in any database table, it is possible to define "macros" that allow such data to be obtained by synthesis, subqueries, or whatever technique is needed.
• You can define standard filters, which are referenced by name to prevent SQL injection attacks.
• The entire system is template-driven, so that client and server code remains synchronized as the database changes.
• Report data can be easily exported to a spreadsheet for further manipulation.

DynaCRUX includes several applications that take much of the work out of setting up models of your database and defining reports. You can even let your users design and run their own reports, freeing up your IT staff for other projects. Of course, you can easily restrict what a group of users is allowed to look at for security purposes.

• The Template Builder application lets you interactively create a definition of your database that is then used in creating reports. You can create different templates for classes of database users (e.g., customers vs. management).
• The Schema Analyzer helps you take most of the work out of creating a model of your database.
• There is a user-friendly Report Builder application for defining, running, and editing reports.

If you need more specific information, you can learn more about DynaCRUX by reading the User Guide.