.net timeout

.net default timeout when querying database (eg. calling stored procedure etc) is 30 seconds!
Please refer here.

Change the database source without changing the fields

In CR, in order to change the data source/sp without changing the whole crystal report format, here's what we can do.
1) Go to the menu on top, under Database, select Set Data source Location ...
2) Select your data source to be changed and select new data source
3) Click update

Viola.. that's all it takes!
Reference: here

Obtain return value from stored procedure back to code

sqlCmd.Parameters.Add(New SqlParameter("RETURN_VALUE",SqlDbType.Int)).Direction = ParameterDirection.ReturnValue

Dim i as integer = CType(sqlCmd.Parameters("RETURN_VALUE").Value, Integer)

Reference: here