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10 Questions on
Oracle Application Express
by Lewis Cunningham
1. What is Oracle ApplicationExpress?
Oracle Application Express (also called APEX andformerly called HTML DB) is a FREE RAD webdevelopment tool. APEX is written using PL/SQLand runs completely inside of a web browser. APEXis an IDE and a runtime environment. You useAPEX to write web applications. Users, using theirdatabase user ID, log into APEX and run theirapplication from a menu.With the APEX IDE, you can create forms, reportsand charts. All of the normal web widgets areavailable: radio groups, buttons, drop down lists,date pickers, etc. You can even integrate your ownJavaScript code should you need it.Output from APEX applications can be to thescreen or to PDF, Excel spreadsheet, Flash, oreven integrated into a web service. You can use asupplied theme for a consistent look and feel orcreate your own theme for a personalized feel toyour application.The most important thing to remember about OracleApplication Express is that it is designed from theground up to be tightly integrated with the OracleDatabase, to be a fully capable web developmentenvironment, and to be easy enough for savvybusiness users to create or extend applications forthemselves.
2. How does APEX integrate withthe database?
Oracle Application Express is truly a databaseapplication. The IDE, the menus, and all of thescreens you see in APEX are written in PL/SQL.The meta data for all of those screens, reports, andmenus are stored in relational tables within thedatabase. When you point your browser at theAPEX URL, the Oracle HTTP listener (Apache +mod_plsql or the PL/SQL gateway, depending ondatabase version) receives that call and usesPL/SQL and the meta data stored in databasetables to paint the welcome screen.When you log into APEX you are using an actualdatabase user ID. This user ID is associated with arole (or roles) within the database and these rolesdetermine what access you will have. If you are anadministrator, you have access to create users andworkspaces. As a developer, you have access tocreate new applications. If you are configured asan end-user, you will be able to run one or moreapplications.Oracle Application Express is integrated with theOracle Database as no environment is. If you needto extend the basic functionality of APEX, there isno need to learn additional languages or link inadditional libraries. On the rare occasions you needto extend functionality, you’ll either use SQL fordata access or PL/SQL when procedural code isrequired.
3. How is APEX a RAD Tool?
Because APEX is so tightly integrated to thedatabase, you can prototype screens while sittingwith the user. The Object Browser allows you tocreate database objects such as tables in addition
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10 Questions on
Oracle Application Express
to viewing those same objects. This allows you tocreate objects on the fly and then build tablesaround those objects.The IDE, including the above Table builder, and allapplications are run within a browser. Turn-aroundtime is immediate. Because APEX is declarative,you can easily make changes in real-time via thebuilt-in wizards.Because APEX controls session information foryou, and because you use the security frameworkbuilt into the Oracle Database, you can concentrateon delivering applications, not on connectionconfiguration and other typical web developmenttime wasters.
4. How much does APEX Cost andwhere can I get it?
APEX comes pre-installed and completelyintegrated with Oracle Database Express Edition(XE). For all other editions of Oracle Database,Oracle Application Express comes as a free add-onthat can be downloaded and installed.If you chose to "try before you buy", or since it'sfree, "try before you install", you can also use thehosted APEX Online facility. This facility allows you
to create and run complete applications just as youwould on your own equipment.
5. What is the current version of APEX and why should I upgrade?
The current version of Oracle Application Express is3.0. This new version offers many enhancements.Among the most useful are:
Print to PDF
– Users can chose to export theirreports and screens to PDF output.
Migrate from MS-Access
– Using an exporttool and the Access Migration Workbench, youcan migrate user applications to APEX.
Calendar Widget
– Older versions included acalendar widget but now users can choosebetween day, week, or month calendars.
Improved Page and Region Caches
– Caching improves performance.
Application Builder Defaults
– The developercan set defaults for wizards to reducedevelopment time (basically themes fordevelopment).The benefits of upgrading include performanceenhancements and additional usability features forboth the developer and the end user.
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10 Questions on
Oracle Application Express
Oracle Database 10g Express Edition only supportsOracle APEX version 2.2.
6. What applications come withAPEX?
The current version of APEX allows you todownload pre-packaged applications for you tolearn from and/or modify for your own uses. Youcan currently download (form Oracle's Technologysite):
Employee Directory Lookup
– This is exactlywhat it sounds like.
Ask The Expert
– Q&A Site ala "asktom".
Bug Tracker
– Log and track bug reports.
Discussion Forum
– Threaded chat, usermanagement, and more.
Document Library
– Multi-user documentrepository (Word, Excel, etc).
Project Issue Tracker
– Define, assign, andreport project issues.
Online Store
– Catalog and shopping cart.
Software Projects
– Project task tracker.You are by no means limited to this list of projects.An Internet search for
"oracle APEX projects"
getsalmost 500,000 hits and more are being posted allthe time.
7. Where can I try APEX?
As mentioned above, you can sign up for a freeaccount atapex.oracle.com(Oracle's hostedApplication Express site). When you sign up for anaccount, you identify the work area name that youwant to use and identify an administrator. Fromthere you can create applications and users just asyou would on your own hardware and systems.apex.oracle.com is not intended for productionsystems, it is intended for exploration and testing.For additional hosting companies, check out theOracle Application Express Community. These sitesoffer varying levels of hosting including freedeveloper access and full application deployment.
8. What kind of support exists forAPEX?
Application Express has a robust community to helpyou develop, deliver, and use APEX applications.The first stop for support would be theAPEXForumsat Oracle Technology Network. This activeforum provides tips and answers from many expertsboth inside and outside of Oracle.Other sites include:
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