Intro to Application Express
Download as PPT, PDF2 likes2,198 views
This document introduces Oracle Application Express (APEX), which is Oracle's tool for quickly developing database-centric web applications without needing to know Java. APEX allows developers to build applications visually using wizards in a web browser. It provides features like SQL and data workshops, reporting, forms, and charts. The document discusses who APEX is suitable for, how to install and use it to build applications, and provides tips on things like debugging, help resources, and designing applications.
Intro to Application Express
- 1. Introduction to Application Express (formerly HTML DB) By Larry Linnemeyer, TUSC
- 2. Abstract You may have heard about Oracle Application Express or HTML DB. This tool is Oracle's scaled down version of Oracle Portal. It's a powerful and easy way to quickly develop a database-centric HTML Web application. You can install APEX on your own machines or run in a hosted environment on Oracle's site. All development (construction of pages) is done through the browser interface. You can use the SQL Workshop and the Data Workshop to run SQL and add data to your environment. This easy-to-use tool will impress you in no time at all!
- 3. Agenda APEX Defined Uses – who, what, when, where, why Building applications with APEX APEX Administration and Monitoring Tips and Techniques
- 4. APEX Defined
- 5. What is APEX? Oracle’s answer to “Wizards” Meta Data (lots of it!) Dynamic HTML (fast!) PL/SQL - No Java Does anything you can do in SQL or PL/SQL Nice Web-based team development environment
- 6. It’s Origin Originated from Tom Kyte’s “ASK TOM” site Used mod_plsql to develop Became “Project Marvel” then HTML DB Now it’s APEX Also referred to as Einstein
- 7. You’re a good candidate for APEX if you fit the following profile You are, or have developers who are, skilled in SQL and PL/SQL Your application is database-centric Your application can be developed using a hosted service You are comfortable with a declarative/4GL programming model You want to migrate an Access / Excel application to Oracle
- 8. Scalable? APEX.oracle 5,500 active workspaces Dell 6550 4x2.0 Ghz Xeon Processors 6 GB RAM Red Hat AS 2.1 5,500+ schemas DB Size ~75 GB SGA Size ~1.5GB Average Unique Page Views: 25,000+ per weekday Average Page View Time: <.5 seconds 1 DBA – manages 15 other DBs
- 9. Major Components Administration SQL Workshop Application Builder
- 10. Components SQL Workshop Interact with your database as with SQL*Plus, but visual Data dictionary and object browsing, query by example Administration Manage users Manage services Monitor activity Application Builder Centerpiece of APEX Loaded with wizards Reports, forms and charts Connect pages using branches 75 pre-defined widgets Basic HTML, pop-up lists, calendars, etc. Full data entry validation
- 11. More Features Session and State Management Each user has a session Valid username/password is required User Interface Control Look-and-feel is separate from application logic Extensive templates Flexible Authentication and Authorization Schemes Can use pre-built / built-in methods or custom
- 12. “ Installing” APEX Apply for a free account at apex.oracle.com Set up other developers / users for testing Can optionally download and install locally Run the script on your 9iR2 or better database (also need Apache listener) Down / Upload your applications to your home system Continue development on your home system Oracle 10g Companion CD Oracle Express Edition Develop your application (read the Help messages – they really do help!) Excellent support via OTN discussion forum
- 13. Architecture Browser Oracle Database APEX Oracle HTTP Server
- 14. Architecture B Browser Oracle Database APEX Oracle HTTP Server Firewall Instead of the Oracle HTTP Server, you can use the HTTP Server supplied with Oracle Application Server 9i or 10g
- 15. APEX Uses Who, What, When, Where, Why…
- 16. What can you do with APEX? Select Journal Article review system (developed in 2 weeks) Web Collaboration application (developed in 2 days) General purpose Customer Survey (developed in 1 day) Survey Administration screens (developed in 2 hours)
- 17. Select Journal Article review
- 19. Customer Survey
- 22. Creating an APEX Application Generally speaking
- 23. Log into Workspace Use the Workspace you chose, the username and password emailed to you
- 24. Home Menu You’re ready to begin Build Applications Work in SQL Work with Data Manage users
- 25. Migrate Data Import data from Spreadsheets, XML or Delimited Files
- 26. Load Northwinds? I loaded the Northwinds Database from SQL Server Used Periscope to load/copy data Once loaded, view data using SQL Workshop
- 27. Drill and Create Can Drill into data Count rows Insert/Edit rows Query by Example View components Much more…
- 28. Use the Wizards APEX’s many wizards will simplify your life – use them! Reports, Charts, Forms, Calendars, Trees, etc.
- 29. Create a Hardware Inventory Application
- 30. Building an application “from scratch” – in 5 simple steps Login with developer privileges Use the SQL tools to make your tables, constraints, triggers, procedures etc. Start a new application (use the wizard) Customize the application (check each change as you make it) Deploy to the users!
- 31. Example Hardware Inventory App Record and view hardware inventory Searchable report Present analysis graphically as well as numerically Design for novice users Remote users with access to Internet
- 32. Main Menu
- 33. Import Data (SQL Workshop)
- 34. Converting Data Previously, data was stored in an Excel spreadsheet Conveniently, this can be made into an Oracle table by simply copying and pasting into the APEX create table wizard Select Region Copy from Excel
- 36. Paste Your Data In…
- 38. Create a Primary Key and sequence
- 39. Object Detail for Table Created (in Object Browser)
- 40. Create Lookup Table Select column for look up Specify lookup table specifics
- 42. Create the application form scratch (this time)
- 43. Add Report and Form based on Hardware table Notice inclusion of Analysis pages
- 44. Specify Details for Analysis
- 45. Could add as many pages as you want
- 46. Select Levels of Tabs
- 47. Can Share Components for other applications
- 48. Specify Security and Language
- 49. Choose a Theme
- 51. Run your new Application! (you will need to log in)
- 52. Instant Application! Searchable report Links to edit individual rows
- 53. Instant Application! Edit form with Calendar widget Picklist based off lookup table
- 54. Instant Application! Analysis Chart and Report
- 55. Good start but improvements can be made Makes “codes” more meaningful Format output Edit page through edit link
- 56. Three basic areas for each page
- 57. Elements of a Page Shared Components Tabs Navigation bar Templates Regions Items Labels Buttons Widgets
- 58. Most things are created through WIZARDS Step by step Collect essential info
- 59. EVERYTHING has attributes and almost everything has an edit page All of the basic attributes collected through the wizards, and many more detailed attributes are editable through an elements attribute/edit page. All of this information is called Meta Data.
- 60. Attribute/Edit Pages Attributes in regions by logical groups Quick navigation to each region Many items are select lists Almost all have context sensitive help
- 61. Reuse of Shared Components LOV used for both report and edit
- 62. Easy Data Validation Some validation created automatically based on database. Others easily created with wizard.
- 63. Validation Wizard Choose the item Specify the validation type
- 64. Validation Wizard Choose subtype Specify sequence and where error message is to be displayed
- 65. Validation Wizard Depending on method, provide validation details Specify error message Always look for help provided Examples Item lookups
- 66. MOST things can be CONDITIONAL! Many, many different types of conditions available. Item is displayed or processed depending on the outcome of the condition.
- 67. Validation Message displayed by item, central location or both Navigation not allowed until validations pass
- 68. Security Two levels Authentication, controls initial access to the application Authorization, can control access to tabs, pages, regions, items, buttons, read/write vs read only, ….. Use APEX built in functionality, totally custom or somewhere in between.
- 69. Make a backup!
- 70. Save the export
- 71. Deployment Process Development Production Data HTML DB App PL/SQL Code (Periodic Refresh)
- 72. APEX Administration Administrator controls Workspaces Workspaces control developer access and provide resources.
- 73. APEX Administration Workspaces can be requested. Workspaces are “provisioned” Initial users are created, more can be created by the “workspace” administrator Workspaces/Applications can be monitored.
- 74. Workspace Administration Workspace administrator manages services Creates and alters workspace / application users Monitors Activity
- 75. Workspace Administration Many reports and charts are available to monitor workspace activity. Many application reports are also available (to developers also)
- 76. APEX Tips and Techniques
- 77. Sample Applications The Sample Applications have great examples Take some time to understand the applications Standard Sample – Common Concepts
- 78. More Examples Collections Showcase – Shopping cart concepts Web Services Presidential Inaugural Addresses – Oracle Text Examples
- 79. Spend Time on Analysis/Design Time Well Spent Follows standard design principals Storyboard approach makes it a visual process Pay me now or pay me more later… Poor design, results in a poor application Important to understand Web development to design
- 80. Storyboard Design Take the time to map our your tabs, menus, layout and design Home Page Products Consulting Training A… B… C... Products Consulting Training
- 81. Debugging To view the current value of any object (if you’re a developer), you can click on the session button at any time
- 82. Help! The online help that is available is very well written as a reference The OTN Discussion Forum is very helpful! http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=137
- 83. Web Services Web Services provide you the power of running a process on someone else’s machine as if it’s on your own machine
- 84. Creating a Popup You can specify a TARGET=NEW for an href if you want the URL / Link to pop up a new page when clicked This is useful when referencing other sites
- 85. “ Report” on Page If you wish to execute a query and return the results to page region that you create, rather than using a PL/SQL block, use a “Report.”
- 86. Adding Images To add images, static HTML / Docs and CSS files to the application, click on Shared Components Images CSS Static Files
- 87. Beware! Bugs do exist in APEX Be careful about changing things once they are created Changing “Types” Changing Item Names
- 88. Advanced Topics Debugging Using Collections Authentication & Authorization Administration Deployment Process Available Functions & APIs Monitoring Activity
- 89. Debugging Run any page in your application Turn on debug mode by clicking on Debug in the developer toolbar Timing is processor time, not rendering time Append &p_trace=YES to your URL to generate SQL Trace File http://hostname.com/pls/htmldb/f?p=100:1&p_trace=YES
- 90. Using Collections Enable you to temporarily capture rows and columns of data Data is persistent throughout a users unique session Examples of when to use a collection: A wizard with more than one page A shopping cart application
- 91. Controlling Collections HTMLDB_COLLECTION API Create Delete Truncate Add/Update/Delete Members Check Status Merging Managing
- 92. Authentication & Authorization Establish User Identity Through Authentication Provide Security Through Authorization
- 93. Authentication HTML DB will assign the authenticated username to the built-in substitution string :APP_USER Several Schemes No Authentication/DAD LDAP OracleAS SSO (App as a Partner App) OracleAS SSO (HTLM DB as Partner App) HTML DB Internal Open Door Custom
- 94. Authorization Once a user is Authenticated, Authorization Schemes control what that user can/cannot see & do Several Scheme Types Exists or NOT Exists SQL Query Item is NULL or NOT NULL PL/SQL Function Value of Item = or != Specified Value
- 95. Administration An HTML DB Administrator’s main task is to manage the instance of HTML DB Monitor Activity to ensure good performance Some common tasks include Approving Service & Change Requests Managing Schema to Workspace Mappings Managing Schemas & Tablespaces All Other Associated DBA functions http://hostname.com/pls/htmldb/htmldb_admin
- 96. Available Functions & APIs Four major APIs HTMLDB_UTIL HTMLDB_ITEM HTMLDB_APPLICATION HTMLDB_CUSTOM_AUTH
- 97. APEX Summary For additional information, check out: http://apex.oracle.com Externally Hosted Instance OTN Discussion Forums HTML DB “How To” Documents
- 99. Referencing Items Substitution String #variableName# Short Substitution String &variableName PL/SQL v(‘variableName’) nv(‘numericValue’) Bind Variable :variableName Items can be used to: Include a substitution string within a template Create an item at the application or page level Use built-in substitution strings to achieve a specific type of functionality
- 100. &variableName. &variableName is used when you need to substitute a variable as when you are building a link to another page You often need to place a period at the end of the name For example: f?p=&app_id.:2:&session
- 101. #variableName# #variableName# is similar to &variableName. but is used in templates and as a parameter in SQL statements
- 102. :variableName :variableName represents a bind variable and can be used in SQL Query and PL/SQL regions For example: SELECT project_title, total_cost FROM projects WHERE project_id = :P1_project_id
- 103. v(‘variableName’) v('variableName') or nv(‘numericVariableName') are functions from the HTML DB APIs that can be used in PL/SQL or SQL statement where a function is called For example: htp.anchor('f?p=' || :app_id || ':2:' || v('SESSION'), 'An HTML DB Link') ;
- 104. Implicit Variables APP_SESSION APP_USER IMAGE_PREFIX WORKSPACE_IMAGES APP_IMAGES BROWSER_LANGUAGE PRINTER_FRIENDLY HOME_LINK PROXY SERVER REQUEST SYSDATE_YYYYMMDD DEBUG APP_ID APP_PAGE_ID APP SCHEMA OWNER SQLERRM AUTHENTICATED_URL_PREFIX LOGOUT_URL PUBLIC_URL_PREFIX CURRENT_PARENT_TAB_TEXT APP_ALIAS APP_UNIQUE_PAGE_ID
- 105. f?p Syntax f=function, that handles it all p=parameters, separated by a colon f?p=16654:104 1) Application Number (16654, &APP_ID.) 2) Page Number (104) 3) Session (&SESSION.) 4) Request 5) Debug 6) Clear Cache (RP resets pagination) 7) Item Names, comma separated 8) Item Values, comma separated 9) Printer Friendly For blank parameters, just include the colon with nothing between
- 106. Summary Powerful Relatively Easy Fast Secure Really works Hosted TUSC’s Vision Passionate about the Technology Best in the World Economic engine Oracle
- 108. htmldb.oracle.com metalink.oracle.com technet.oracle.com otn.oracle.com www.tusc.com Oracle Press, “Oracle HTML DB Handbook” by Lawrence C Linnemeyer and Bradley D. Brown Where to Get More Information
- 109. Thank you to Brad Brown, the other team members of TUSC for their contributions to this presentation. Please report errors to TUSC. Neither TUSC, or the author warrant that this document is error-free. TUSC © 2006. This document may not be copied or reproduced without the express written consent of TUSC. Special Thanks To…