[sireesha]

I am new to Raiser's Edge. We want to develop a web front to RE using the API module. Does RE needs to be installed on the same machine web server inorder to be able to use API functionality?Please help.
Thanks,
Sireesha

[Peter Gulka]

yikes... first of all you may want to look at cost estimates for Blackbaud NetCommunity before you go and build one yourself.

As long as the object library is referenced in your project in VS, you should be fine. For testing purposes, you may want to have RE close by.

[sireesha]

I got the BBREAPI7.tlb file from Raiser's Edge tlb directory. I did "tlbimp" to generate the interop assembly, registered the dll using regasm, added the reference to dll in my Visual Studio 2005 project (VB.NET web application). But when I try to instantiate the REAPI object it is throwing
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: Retrieving the COM class factory for component with CLSID {0C1FBCA5-3961-11D3-BD75-00E0290E1347} failed due to the following error: 80040154. Do you have any ideas on this?

I was going through the FAQ for API/VBA on the Blackbaud Website which says RE must be installed on the workstation in order to use API.

******
API for Advanced Application Development allows you to use any COM (Component Object Model) programming language such as Java, C++, or Visual Basic. You can create standalone applications, add applications to Blackbaud software through the Plug-Ins page, and interface with Blackbaud software from other software applications.

API applications process outside of the Blackbaud shell. The program can be closed, but it must be installed on the workstation.
******

[DrewAllen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sireesha

I was going through the FAQ for API/VBA on the Blackbaud Website which says RE must be installed on the workstation in order to use API.

Yes, RE must be installed on the computer where you are running the API. When you start up the API, it actually logs in using BBLogMan.exe.

Have you investigated buying RE:Anywhere. This is specifically a web app that mirrors MOST of the functionality of RE. It's probably cheaper than all the staff hours you'd invest creating it from scratch.

Drew

[sireesha]

Thanks for the reply.
We don't need the whole RE functionality, but we need to build a custom application that adds data to RE from some other source.

[DavidZ]

From what I understand version 7.8 onwards come with the interops already built when you install RE. You need to reference the file in the PIA directory under The Raiser's Edge 7 directory. That way you do not need to build it yourself.

The instructions in the knowledgebase are for RE version up to 7.8 and the article really should say that.

If you need any more information then please do not hestate to contact me.

David

[sireesha]

We are using RE version 7.80.1122.1. Is the API compatible with .Net Framework 2.0. I am thinking of buiding Application using Visual Studio .NET 2005. Or should I use Visual Studio .NET 2003?

[Peter Gulka]

you need 7.81 to use the .NET 2.0 Framework.

[JeffMon]

Hi Sireesha,

You can make the .Net 2.0 Framework work with RE 7.80 (and earlier) by adding a line of text to the RE.exe.config file. See my post here (scroll to the bottom):
The official "Shaun Sullivan's Sample Code" thread
Seems like you might want to go ahead and target RE 7.81 though... since it's already out 'n all.

I've built a fairly detailed web interface for RE... it's an adventure to say the least!

-Jeff

[sireesha]

I have created a sample webapplication to test connectivity to Raisers Edge. Here is the sample code -

Response.Write("Connecting..")
Response.Write(moREAPI.AppMode)
Response.Write(moREAPI.GetAvailableRegistryKeys)
IfNot moREAPI.Init("SerialNumber", "sireesha", "sireesha", 1, AppMode.amServer) Then
Response.Write("Cannot connect to database")
Response.Write(moREAPI.LastErrorMessage)
Else
Response.Write("Connected!")
EndIf

I am able to connect to Raisers Edge when I use Visual Studio Development Server ..(I can see Blackbaud Login Manager in the Task Bar) ...printing the following ..
Connecting..Sireesha.amStandaloneSystem.String[*]Connected!


But when I use IIS, I am not able to Connect to Raisers Edge..It is printing. (No Blackbaud Login Manager in the Task Bar)
Connecting..Sireesha.amStandaloneSystem.String[*]Cannot connect to database

Any ideas on this?

Thanks,
Sireesha