Difference Between RDL and RDLC

RDL vs RDLC

RDL refers to Report Definition Language, which a program is created to assist in management of the server end. This program came into being in 2005 when it was created by SQL Server version of the Report Designer. RDLC, on the other hand, refers to Report Definition Language, Client Side. This means that the program will mainly work on the end that the client is on. This program was designed by Visual Studio.

One of the main differences between the two is the ends on which either program works on. RDL works on the server side, helping manage the runtime environment. RDLC, on the other hand, works on the client side, helping them manage their environment.

When it comes to the schema that is employed, both RDL and RDLC follow similar XML schema. There is, however, a big difference when it comes to values. In some RDLC files, there are some values that cannot in any way be left empty. These values point to not being ready to be deployed toward the report server. To solve this glitch of missing values, the RDLC file ought to be run by an SQL Server 2005 for the Report Designer. It is then required that a renaming be done to .RDLC or to .RDL.

All RDL files come compatible with the Report Viewer control Runtime. Information in the RDL files might not be similar, especially when it comes to the design time of report viewer control. This depends on the generation of a design time report. Report Viewer control depends on the automatic generation of data binding code. If there is need to use RDL files in Report Viewer, then data must be manually bound.

The Report Viewer control does not come with any logic that allows databases to be connected or any logic to be employed or even on the execution of queries. Elimination of this logic makes Report Viewer compatible with all data sources available and with non-database sources too. As a result, an RDL file is the only file that can be used by the Report Viewer Control. Any SQL-related information that is located within the RDL file comes and is ignored by the control. The host therefore becomes responsible to connect database supply data and also to execute queries to Report Viewer controls, which come in the form of ADO.NET tables of data.

Another difference seen between RDL and RDLC is that RDL requires having values inserted in all elements to ensure that the desired functionality is achieved in the server. This requirement in RDLC is however not necessary as it does not require having values on all elements, with a perfect example being query text where some values can be left empty. Whenever dealing with large data sets, RDL will take a little time in producing these reports that have large data. This is because RDL runs on a server license and no reporting services are needed. In RDLC, a longer time is taken to produce the results from large data sets, as it runs on a local license.

Summary

RDL means Report Definition Language.
RDLC refers to Report Definition Language, Client Side.
RDL developed by SQL Server 2005 Report Viewer.
RDLC created by Visual studio.
RDL deals with items on the server end.
RDLC deals with issues on the client side.
RDL specifically requires all elements to come with values.
RDLC does not strictly need to have all elements in values.
RDL takes little time to produce large data sets due to the use of server license.
An RDLC run on a local license hence takes more time to give an output of a large data set.

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