Crystal Reports Xi and SB5

[NewsArchive]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a SB5 script that installs the Crystal Report Xi
components needed for deployment and be willing to share it with me?

If so, drop me an email at xyz.com

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnór,

I am currently working on a series of "runtime include scripts". The next
SB53 build comes with "point and click" redistributable support for:

1. Visual C++ 2005 Runtime Libraries redistributable
2. Windows Installer 3.1 (v2) redistributable
3. .NET Framework 2.0 redistributable
4. New SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) Release A
redistributable

Perhaps I can add support for Crystal Reports Xi in one of the next builds.
What do you need? RDC Runtime, RDC Reportengine or RDC Designtime
redistributable support?

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

That would be great if you could include that. It would be very useful for
me too!

shane peterson

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich, YES, The CR Xi support would be great! We have a separate
install that we have to run now. We would definitely make use of it.

thanks! Clint

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>Perhaps I can add support for Crystal Reports Xi in one of the next builds.
>What do you need? RDC Runtime, RDC Reportengine or RDC Designtime
>redistributable support?

What I need is only to be able to print reports, no design etc. I'm
using the Crystal Clear Class from Klarisoft, wich uses the old
crpe32.dll. I went through hell to try to get an install that worked
with CR 9.0 just over a year ago and I'd prefer not to try that
again<bg>

So I expect to have this by Monday;)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Arnór,

I'll have it available later today <VBG>

It will take some time to find out what is required. Crystal
redistributables are a nightmare. Tons of problems even with .msi and Merge Modules.

I am not sure if the stuff you need is in CrystalReports11_RDC_Runtime.msm
or CrystalReports11_RDC_Reportengine.msm. I have to check this.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I'll have it available later today <VBG>

You're THE man!<g>

>It will take some time to find out what is required. Crystal
>redistributables
>are a nightmare. Tons of problems even with .msi and Merge Modules.

No kidding!<vbg>

>I am not sure if the stuff you need is in CrystalReports11_RDC_Runtime.msm
>or CrystalReports11_RDC_Reportengine.msm. I have to check this.

Better you than me! I am _SOOOO_ glad someone else is pulling their
hair out over this instead of me! CR 9/Xi is just about the only
thing that I have just plain given up on trying to get a distributable
install out of. If you can figure it out, fantastic:):):)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Shane,

Crystal Reports Xi runtime support is in development now.

Thank you.

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Clint,

Okay, thanks! Crystal Reports Xi runtime support is in development now.

I'll keep you all posted.

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Arnór,

Crystal Reports Xi runtime support is very (VERY) complicated because
even their own .msm merge module for Windows Installer causes a lot of
problems. For example, file failed to register error messages
(craxdrt.dll, etc.) on all kind of Windows OS (installers created with
InstallShield or Wise).

Crystal Reports Xi runtime support is in development now.

Our latest internal SetupBuilder 5.4 provides runtime redistributable
support for some Windows technologies now (e.g. Windows Installer 3.1
(v2), Visual C++ 2005 Runtime Libraries, .NET Framework 2.0). That
means, we now have the technology to package other 3rd party
redistributables.

My plan is as follows:

1. Use our (internal) Windows Installer (.msi) technology to transform
the Crystal Reports Xi merge modules into .msi files.

2. Develop a "point and click" runtime include script for SetupBuilder
5 to automate the Crystal Reports Xi distribution.

I need your help to test the Crystal Reports Xi runtime include script
to make sure it works fine. So I will make the script available as a
"beta" script when available.

I'll post more information soon.

Thanks,

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I need your help to test the Crystal Reports Xi runtime include script
>to make sure it works fine. So I will make the script available as a
>"beta" script when available.

Just let me/us know:)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Arnór,

>
> Crystal redistributables are a nightmare.
>

I take that back. Crystal Reports Xi distribution is not a nightmare.
It's a hell of a nightmare.

A Crystal Reports license keycode is used to validate the licensing
for the application. The CrystalReports11_rdc_license.msm merge module
requires a valid license keycode to be specified.

We have to find a way to embed such an (individual) key.

BTW, all three CrystalReports11_rdc_license.msm,
CrystalReports11_rdc_reportengine.msm and CrystalReports11_rdc_runtime.msm
merge modules are required. This results in a hefty 53 MB installation
overhead.

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I take that back. Crystal Reports Xi distribution is not a nightmare.
>It's a hell of a nightmare.

<g>

>merge modules are required. This results in a hefty 53 MB installation
>overhead.

I figured as much, but for me that's ok, as the projects I have for
this will only be on CDs or DVDs so it's not an issue for me. Does
this include the designer also?

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
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[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnór,

No, this does not include the designer.

I think the designer would be another 15 MB.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I think the designer would be another 15 MB.

Ok, I don't need the designer, so I have no problem with that;)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
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[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnór,

Okay :)

I think a solution to the Crystal Reports Xi runtime distribution system
would be to "transform" .msm merge modules to .msi files using our .msi
technology and then a SB5 compiler feature to write your Crystal Report
serial number to the .msi (at compile time).

I have to think about this stuff...

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I have to think about this stuff...

Don't overload anything!<g> I'm so glad I have managed to share my
burden<bg>

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

I can tell you that I sure need that as well.

Metabase has SQL as it's engine (e.g, Mimer). Thus, all reporting is
done with CR XI. But I sure do not have the right set of "stuff" to
distribute about CR XI so that the report templates (about 100) will
run.

So, any help you can provide Arnor will certainly cause two things:

1. Helping me
2. A sale of SB5 (an upgrade actually) to me as well.

Regards,
Mike G

[NewsArchive]

Mike,

We are working on the Crystal Reports Xi runtime support now.

This is very complicated because even their own .msm merge module for
Windows Installer causes a lot of problems. For example, file failed
to register error messages (craxdrt.dll, etc.) on all kind of Windows
OS (installers created with InstallShield or Wise).

We have now included runtime redistributable installation support for
quite a few Windows technologies (e.g. Windows Installer 3.1 (v2),
Visual C++ 2005 Runtime Libraries, .NET Framework 2.0). That means,
we now have the technology to package other 3rd party redistributables.

My plan is as follows:

1. Use our (internal) Windows Installer (.msi) technology to transform
the Crystal Reports Xi merge modules into a .msi.

2. Develop a "point and click" runtime include script for SetupBuilder
5 to automate the Crystal Reports Xi distribution.

But we need your help to test the Crystal Reports Xi runtime include
scripts to make sure it works fine. I'll post more information soon.

Thanks,

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Arnór,

Would it be possible for you to send me a small test application that makes
use of Crystal Reports Xi?

Thanks,
Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>Would it be possible for you to send me a small test application that makes
>use of Crystal Reports Xi?

I'm not sure<g> I have only used Crystal with SQL, let me see what I
can do...

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
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[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnór,

Great, thanks :)

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>Great, thanks :)

It's probably not going to be until next week, we are all fighting a
nasty flu, which really doesn't help:(

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Arnór,

Oops! Hope you feel better soon.

No problem. I need at least another week to find out how to merge all
the Crystal Reports Xi modules into a native 32-bit installation.

Thanks,
Friedrich


--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>Oops! Hope you feel better soon.

We're getting on antibiotics today, so hopefully it will clear up
soon:)

>No problem. I need at least another week to find out how to merge all
>the Crystal Reports Xi modules into a native 32-bit installation.

I told you it was a mess! Boy am I glad I'm not doing it!<vbg>

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
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[NewsArchive]

Arnor/All,

Ok, so my XI arrived ... Developers Edition. It is full of msm files and
Install Shield. I don't use Install Shield or MSM, I use SetupBuilder!!!!

I can't figure out by working with these CD's where the distribution files
are if you don't have access to InstallShield.

What do I do to get these files into SetupBuilder?

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

>What do I do to get these files into SetupBuilder?

Wait for Friedrich to dig through them<g> He's building a install
script for CR using the msm files. CR is such a mess, 9 was bad, but
I didn't even try with Xi;)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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[NewsArchive]

Hi,

If anyone can do it, Friedrich can. I just hope he handles Sybase and ODBC
as well, and gives the option to exclude EXPORT. I don't want to allow my
clients to export data.

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Arnór & Robert,

The Crystal Reports Xi redistribution is very tricky because the Business
Objects guys only make .msm Merge Modules available and you have to embed
your serial number (that's your 23 character alphanumeric string) into the
resulting redistribution package.

To make it even worse, the Xi merge modules do not meet the Windows
Installer SDK merge module naming convention and if you validate an .msi
created with those merge modules you'll get tons of ICE validation errors.
Argh! This is a nightmare.

So this is our plan. We already have an (internal) SetupBuilder compiler
available to support native .msi files. We'll use parts of this technology
to convert the Xi .msm Merge Modules into a .msi redistribution. We can
embed your serial number into that .msi package during the compilation
process. That means, you'll only have to add the "Crystal Reports Xi"
runtime include script (when available) to the project, define your serial
number and the SetupBuilder 5 compiler will handle all the dirty work. The
..msi redistribution package will be compiled into your setup.exe.

BTW, I am working on this for more than 14 days now. It's a NIGHTMARE!!!

Friedrich

Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

I can't believe that Crystal Reports has made it so it only works one way.
But, more importantly, our software doesn't get installed on the
workstation(s) --- it gets installed once, on the server. This would mean
that each workstation would need their own installation.

Why can't you just run this once, manually pick the DLL files from the
system32 directory, and then make your own installation from there?

Crystal Reports keeps getting worse! I'm telling you ..... - well, you
know what I'm going to say :-)

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

I talked with Crystal ... yes, it can be done, but not for the Report
Creation API's which require License Codes.

The DLL's all come out of the bin\3.0 directory.

I see on their white papers they support Visual Studio, InstallShield and
Wise. Once you get this done, you should contact them about getting
SetupBuilder listed too. :-)

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Well, I think this tech support guy has never seen the internals of the
merge modules <g>. IMO, it cannot be done. Even with InstallShield,
the Xi redistribution is a nightmare.

MSM files are not installation product specific - they should work with
all .msi products. The developers were so smart that their own merge
modules do not meet the Windows Installer SDK merge module naming
convention. And if you were lucky enough to compile the stuff into a
..msi, you'll get tons of ICE validation errors when validating the
file with, say, Microsoft ORCA.

My .02

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

:)

The problem is that all three merge modules are required in order to compile
a redistribution package for Crystal Xi.

1. CrystalReports11_rdc_license.msm
2. CrystalReports11_rdc_reportengine.msm
3. CrystalReports11_rdc_runtime.msm

If you only ship the runtime and license files then important dependency
files (included in the reportengine module) are missing and reportengine
cannot register its own files.

That means the redistribution package is more than 1,000 files, with more
than 300 registry settings and tons of self-registering OCX files. The
final redistribution is 50 MB (only for the Xi stuff!). It's impossible
to pick the DLLs from the "System32" folder. Most of the files are in
the Business Objects folder under Common Files. But of course, some are
also in System32.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

Sounds like with every version of Crystal, it will just get worse and worse.
Thus, someone has to come out with a better product and put Crystal out of
business ..... or just tell the clients they can run Crystal Reports, only
from within Crystal. :-)

If this doesn't work, that's what I'm going to do ... as I can't add 50meg
to my download just to be able to run reports.

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

> Sounds like with every version of Crystal, it will just get worse and
> worse. Thus, someone has to come out with a better product and put Crystal
> out of business ..... or just tell the clients they can run Crystal
> Reports, only from within Crystal. :-)

:-) Yes, I agree. And what I have read during the last 15 days is that
quite a few developers are tired of the product.

> If this doesn't work, that's what I'm going to do ... as I can't add 50meg
> to my download just to be able to run reports.

I really cannot understand why the Xi redistribution is a hefty 45-50meg.
Unbelievable...

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

> :-) Yes, I agree. And what I have read during the last 15 days is that
> quite a few developers are tired of the product.

So, when do we start our new project? :-)

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

:-)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Will SB5.4 have Crystal XI support, and if so, can I test it for you?

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Robert,

Thank you for your help. I'll send you an internal SB5 version when I have
a first Crystal Xi runtime include script available.

BTW, we have successfully tested our new merge module import technology
today. We'll use this technology to import standard merge modules and
compile silent .msi redistributables for SetupBuilder 5.4 runtime include
scripts.

I'll keep you posted.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

1. What's the ETA on this? (week or month?)
2. Will it include support for the Crystal Reports Sybase drivers as well?
3. How will it work in first getting the latest service pack from Crystal -
meaning, do you install from CD, then get a service pack, and then run the
Setup Builder?
4. Is the SB build script smart enough to get rid of what you don't
want/use - ie: the Design Component.
5. Any idea what the footprint size will be when it is done, for just
regular CR XI Viewer support, with export, with Sybase, no design
components.

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Robert,

>
> 1. What's the ETA on this? (week or month?)
>

I believe I'll have an ETA available next week.

>
> 2. Will it include support for the Crystal Reports Sybase drivers as well?
>

A few words to the new "SB5 Merge Module" compiler technology (Developer
Edition only). We can import (configurable) Windows Installer merge modules
(.msm) and compile native .msi runtime files for SetupBuilder 5 now.

So if the Crystal merge modules support Sybase drivers then you can also add
this to your setup.exe. In this case, support for the Sybase drivers is
included in the reportengine merge module.

>
> 3. How will it work in first getting the latest service pack from
> Crystal - meaning, do you install from CD, then get a service pack, and
> then run the Setup Builder?
>

We are using the original Crystal merge modules (SP1 dated 3/8/2006). You
can download the latest .msm, add the SB5 runtime include script and compile
your SetupBuilder 5 project.

BTW, if SP2 comes out, download the new merge modules and recompile your
project.

> 4. Is the SB build script smart enough to get rid of what you don't
> want/use - ie: the Design Component.

Yes. SB5 will support configurable merge modules. So, if you don't need,
say, BTRIEVE driver support, just disable this. And if you don't need
support for the Designer Control (another 15 MB of overhead), don't include
the designtime merge module.

> 5. Any idea what the footprint size will be when it is done, for just
> regular CR XI Viewer support, with export, with Sybase, no design
> components.

It depends on the merge module. The reportengine and runtime merge modules
are 58 MB, so if you need both merge modules, the overhead will be ~58 MB
(1,000+ files).

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

>2. Will it include support for the Crystal Reports Sybase drivers as well?

CR uses ODBC for SQL Anywhere, so no extra stuff needed there except
ODBC which I'm sure is included in the msm/msi. Installing the sybase
odbc is very simple, all you need is to update the ODBC registry or
have SB install the driver for you (it's been in SB5 for quite a
while)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
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[NewsArchive]

Robert,

We are making good progress in creating the CR Xi redistributable. Our
compiler seems to work fine with the latest Crystal 11.5 merge modules.
BTW, the CR developers have again increased the redistributable overhead by
7 MB.

Do you have any (simple) app available that makes use of the Crystal Reports
Xi stuff so I can test it here?

Thanks,
Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Arnor,

I thought so, but there is a Sybase component (which needs to be installed
right?)

crdb_p2ssyb10.dll

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

Yes, I do -- it will be placed on our website this afternoon - (just wait
for the new website, then you'll know V11 of roomMaster is available) --
once installed, you go to the Reports Menu, Custom Reports, and then
you add your Crystal Report there.

I'd like to make sure I have some control over the install as well.

1. Be able to place CRpe32.dll in the application directory during the
install (as I believe it has to be?)
2. Make sure the CR objects go to \program files\common\business
objects\bin\3.0 - Please make sure you don't put things in
WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 unless it needs to be.
3. Ability to take out what I don't need (not sure if this can be done)
like Access, Maps, Create Reports API, etc. that don't get used. (maybe
this can't be done)
4. Have uninstall support.

We'll most likely make this a separate download from our website for the
people who need Crystal support so the regular users don't have to worry
about this overhead.

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

Oops, I mean:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Business Objects\3.0\bin

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

> Yes, I do -- it will be placed on our website this afternoon - (just wait
> for the new website, then you'll know V11 of roomMaster is available) --
> once installed, you go to the Reports Menu, Custom Reports, and then you
> add your Crystal Report there.

Great, thank you.

> I'd like to make sure I have some control over the install as well.
>
> 1. Be able to place CRpe32.dll in the application directory during the
> install (as I believe it has to be?)

In CR Xi SP1, crpe32.dll goes into the \Business Objects\Common\3.5\Bin
folder.

> 2. Make sure the CR objects go to \program files\common\business
> objects\bin\3.0 - Please make sure you don't put things in
> WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 unless it needs to be.

You cannot "modify" folders in merge modules. CR objects for version Xi SP1
go to \Program Files\Common\Business Objects\Common\3.5\Bin (not 3.0).

> 3. Ability to take out what I don't need (not sure if this can be done)
> like Access, Maps, Create Reports API, etc. that don't get used. (maybe
> this can't be done)

This is part of the configurable merge modules support. If you don't need
Access support, etc, you can disable this.

>
> 4. Have uninstall support.
>

The Windows Installer service is responsible for .msi uninstall support.
The Crystal Xi runtime (compiled with SetupBuilder 5.4) will be a native
..msi runtime installer so it can be uninstalled via the Add/Remove Programs
panel.

> We'll most likely make this a separate download from our website for the
> people who need Crystal support so the regular users don't have to worry
> about this overhead.

Good idea. A standard CR Xi SP1 runtime msi is 60 MB.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

I sent you the link to the application.

60MEG! UGH!

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

>I thought so, but there is a Sybase component (which needs to be installed
>right?)
>
>crdb_p2ssyb10.dll

I think that is for Sybase Enterprise, which is entirely different
from iAnywhere. I could be mistaken on that, but generally when there
are Sybase dlls somewhere, they are for ASE, not ASA.

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


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