This talk will cover the use of ReportLab with Python and the database of your choice to generate well-presented PDFs and printed reports. A method for dynamically generating PDFs for web use, cgi-script style, will also be covered.

Basic knowledge of Python will be helpful, but not required.

Slides and Extras from Craig:

You’ll probably want the full presentation, including all the examples and the source code to the presentation.

Alternately, you can download just the PDF.

Extra software:

For your convenience, here’s a list of links to the home pages of the software you're likely to need.

  • Python. You’ll want to use at least Python 2.2, preferably Python 2.3.
  • You’ll obviously be wanting ReportLab.
  • PyPgSQL is likely to be useful if you'll be talking to a database, though you have plenty of choice when it comes to databases and interface modules.
  • ReportLab works best with the Python Imaging Library installed.
  • Psyco is a handy JIT compiler for Python.