The examples given here show how to set up data visualization reports using the BI reports software BIRT.

The intent here is to give simple visualization examples as a jumping off point. From there, users can decide for themselves how they want to use MusicXML relational data.

The BIRT software can be downloaded here. Download the BIRT report designer all-in-one.

Startup BIRT by executing eclipse in the downloaded installation. A Java installation is required to run the software.

The individual reports examples are on subpages of this page, where the specifics of each report will be laid out.

Each report is run against the database records of Beethoven Symphony No. 4, 1st movement and J. S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6. These two works are in the same key, and have approximately the same number of notes.

The reports examples are:

• Pitch count report: demonstrates a simple loop and count
• Interval count report: demonstrates comparing notes in relation
• Measure notes report: demonstrates note handling by location

Individual reports have two parts:

• Executing a reports stored procedure to generate score data (see page "Stored Procedures")
• Creating a BIRT report that queries the data generated by the stored procedure, and then building a visual representation of the data

First, set up a new project:

• Select File -> New -> Project and select Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools -> Report Project
• Enter a project name

• Place the JDBC driver jar file where BIRT can read it (see below)
• Select the project in the Navigator pane and from the menu select File -> New -> Library and give the library a name
• Select the Outline pane, and in the Data Explorer pane, right click Data Sources and select New Data Source
• Select JDBC Data Source and enter a Data Source Name
• Select the Driver Class (see below)
• Enter the Database URL (see below)
• Enter your database User Name and Password
• Test the connection and finish

Placing the JDBC driver jar file:

The JDBC jar file is copied from the database installation to directory birt_installation_directory\eclipse\plugins\org.eclipse.birt.report.data.oda.jdbc_version_number\drivers. Make sure the original jar file stays in the database installation directory.

The jar file is:

• mysql: mysql-connector-java-version_number.jar
  Windows: in directory mysql_install_directory\Connector J version_number
  Linux: available here
• postgresql: postgresql-version_number.jdbc4.jar
  available here
• oracle xe: ojdbc8-version_number.jar
  in directory install_directory/dbhomeXE/jdbc/lib

Setting the driver class:

• mysql: com.mysql.jdbc.Driver
• postgresql: org.postgresql.Driver
• oracle xe: oracle.jdbc.OracleDriver

Setting the database URL:

The hostname value is same as that set in the tasks tool (e.g. localhost).
The database_name is the name of the MusicXML database.

• mysql: jdbc:mysql://hostname/database_name
• postgresql: jdbc:postgresql://hostname/database_name
• oracle xe: jdbc:oracle:thin:@hostname/database_name

You now have a data source in a library that can be used by all of the reports in the project.