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Oracle APEX allows developers to quickly develop complex web-based applications accessible by most modern web browsers with an APEX browser-based development environment.This low-code platform empowers developers to rapidly build enterprise apps with advanced features that are both scalable and secure.
APEX empowers developers to design and deploy apps that quickly solve real-world issues.APEX simplifies complex applications by giving developers all the tools needed to address business problems without becoming experts in web technology.
Oracle APEX
Oracle Application Express (APEX) is an Oracle web-based development environment. Oracle Autonomous Database Service and all Oracle Database Editions include it by default; APEX comes fully supported; in particular, it's part of the core installation on 11g databases.
Oracle APEX can now be utilized as part of Oracle APEX Development Service; an Internet-accessible managed service offering application development solutions in the cloud environment. Access is made accessible via the cloud console.
Data
Oracle APEX aims to offer efficient and user-friendly tools to manipulate, display, graph and process your data efficiently and cost-effectively.
Oracle APEX features state-of-the-art functionality enabling data transformation from any source - an internal database or external web service.
User Interface
Universal Theme, an Application Express user interface, empowers developers to quickly build modern web apps without extensive HTML, CSS or JavaScript knowledge.
Universal Theme offers developers high customizability while remaining accessible despite having minimal knowledge about Application Express.
Globalization
A development framework's ability to support application creation across various languages, locales and environments is known as globalization.
Oracle APEX was explicitly created with this in mind - offering translation and localization services so an application may be tailored specifically for use across specific locales or languages.
Security
Oracle APEX allows you to build secure web applications from day one, thanks to our focus on security measures that keep pace with evolving web standards and potential attackers who find new ways of exploiting sites.
APEX includes features to manage authentication, authorization and session management; Single Sign-On can be implemented using any number of authenticator providers.
Accessibility
Oracle APEX was designed to give developers an easy way to create high-accessibility web apps that meet users of all abilities; with every release, we strive to make this more straightforward than ever: adding accessibility-specific functionality, fixing known accessibility bugs and refining our testing strategies, all with one goal in mind - to provide everyone with a fantastic developer and user experience with this tool.
Critical Points On Oracle Apex
Web Development
APEX allows you to build web applications using a declarative approach that reduces the need for extensive programming.
Application design can be accomplished using pages, regions, items and buttons.
SQL and PL/SQL
APEX lets you use SQL or PL/SQL for application logic and to interact with databases. At the same time, SQL queries allow users to create interactive forms, reports, charts and calendars.
Responsive Design
APEX apps are developed using responsive design principles to ensure optimal compatibility on multiple devices and screens.
Data Visualization
APEX's built-in charting provides data visualization capabilities. You can quickly and easily create charts and graphs to display data trends, insights, or patterns.
Team Development
APEX's Team Development Tools enable multiple developers to work cooperatively on creating one application simultaneously and provide versioning control services for your applications.
Extensibility
JavaScript, CSS and HTML provide additional extensions of APEX that allow users to enhance its features while adding style.
They allow developers to expand their app's functional scope and aesthetics while maintaining usability for end-users.
Integration
APEX makes integration simpler by being compatible with Oracle products and services and APIs from external providers, making integrating your app into existing systems simpler.
Support and Community
Oracle Offers Resources, Documentation and Community Oracle provides resources, documentation and community for developers working with APEX.
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Oracle Application Express Architecture
Oracle APEX stores metadata in database tables when you extend or create an app, then reads them when running to display or process page requests.
- OCI Networking
- networking components
- actual target values
- feature selection
Oracle APEX transparently controls database session state to provide stateful behavior within an application. Application developers have access to SQL binding variables syntax and simple substitutions available through SQL binding variables in SQL Binding Variable Syntax that enable obtaining or setting session state, with no code being generated and file-based compiling necessary.
All processing uses PL/SQL code directly applied to database schemas. Oracle APEX applications architecture is highly efficient since data manipulation occurs directly within the database before being sent out over the network; one API request can perform all data processing based on metadata definitions rather than multiple database calls.
Stateless Access
Oracle APEX's database request management can easily support thousands of concurrent users due to its pooled connection pool; once an API request has been fulfilled and delivered back to the browser, its connection pool repurposes itself by recycling back through to be reused in another API request.
This also means Oracle APEX API calls use Oracle database connection pools which recycle their connections again after completion and send results back out again as API requests come through from users' browsers.
- Service Gateway
- Routing Gateway
- NAT Gateway
- predictive model
- training pipeline
- REST pipeline endpoint
Database sessions only become active when someone initiates a request; otherwise, they remain dormant, not using any database resources.
When authenticating for the first time, session state data is saved in their browser cache and sent with each subsequent request from that same session.
AppDev Service
Oracle APEX AppDev Service utilizes its database-driven metadata architecture for application development. Oracle APEX can be configured for self-service mode, enabling any member of an organization to create their Workspace within it.
This approach enables departments to keep building apps while remaining under ITs purview; IT now manages policies and procedures regarding corporate data access and usage.
Oracle Application Express Architecture (APEX), composed of layers and components, simplifies Web application creation.
Developers can build feature-rich, scalable apps easily using this comprehensive architecture. We will explore more in-depth the Oracle APEX Architecture: APEX Engine executes application logic and renders the user interface.
An Oracle Database hosts APEX Runtime Engine, which stores application metadata and data. Metadata Repository stores all settings and definitions related to applications, including application definitions, workspace objects, security settings and workspace objects.
- Oracle REST Data Services
- Continuous Integration
- Cloud Service
- Virtual Cloud Network
- Oracle Integration
Developers use Oracle APEX's Application Builder web interface to construct and manage applications, using various application development components, such as forms, reports, charts, dashboards, templates, themes, dynamic actions, plugins, and authentication/authorization mechanisms.
Actual configuration and deployment of Oracle APEX will depend upon individual infrastructure conditions and user needs.
Web Browser
Oracle APEX applications can be accessed using any modern web browser, displaying user interface and requesting information from APEX Servers.
APEX Servers
APEX servers handle requests from web browsers, edit the metadata of an application's runtime environment, and oversee interactions among various components.
Oracle Database
The Oracle Database is integral to the APEX Architecture, acting as the data processing and storage platform. APEX applications use SQL/PL/SQL programming languages for data manipulation and business logic implementation, using this central repository that serves both user and application metadata storage needs.
Features of the Oracle Database for APEX include:
- application code
- modern web applications
- API Gateway
- wide range
- virtual network
- ourOracle Cloud
- application servers
Oracle Apex Engine
APEX Engine is the runtime engine of APEX Server that interprets, executes and manages user interactions and metadata.
At its heart lies APEX's architecture: processing user input into databases while running queries; managing all aspects of application life cycles, such as processing requests for response generating replies - these all fall under its purview. They are composed of three key components.
Rendering and Parsing
The APEX Engine interprets metadata and generates HTML, CSS and JavaScript codes necessary for rendering the user interface.
Session Manager
Session Manager for APEX Engine maintains state information. At the same time, users navigate an application and safeguard user data and application context.
Component Processing
It handles components like pages, buttons, regions and items using an engine that executes PL/SQL or SQL code to manipulate and retrieve data and create reports or take any other actions specified by developers.
Security
APEX Engine implements security measures, including authentication and authorization. Users will only have the permissions needed for specific actions and access certain components.
SQL Developer Web, mobile applications, Database Cloud Service.
- Cloud Infrastructure
- Exadata Cloud Service
- Oracle Cloud Integration
- Cloud Service Models
- Cloud DBA
- EBS Cloud
Data Store
Databases can store application metadata, user profiles and session info, and any data manipulated by an application.
Data Process
The APEX Engine uses PL/SQL code and SQL directly with the database to manipulate and store its content.
Metadata Repository
The metadata repository consists of tables in Oracle Database which store definitions and configurations related to an APEX application, such as pages or regions for applications, security settings, navigation structures etc.
Oracle manages this metadata.
Application Developer
Oracle APEX's Application Builder offers developers an interactive web development environment for managing, creating and editing APEX apps.
Utilizing its visual user interface, developers can manage, create, modify and alter APEX apps while designing application pages, configuring security settings and specifying application behavior as part of APEX apps.
Application Workspace to Create Applications
A Workspace is a container within Oracle APEX used to group related objects in the database and resources used in developing them.
Every Workspace may differ based on users, security options and development environment requirements.
Themes and Templates
Oracle APEX provides developers templates and themes to personalize their applications' look and style. Themes provide controls over colors, visual elements and styles, while templates help define the layout and structure within an app.
Built-In Components
APEX's Application Builder uses preloaded components like interactive grids, forms, reports, and charts, allowing developers to create data-driven interfaces by configuring and customizing these elements rapidly.
Access Control and Security
Oracle APEX includes features designed to secure data and applications. These include user authentication, authorization and role-based control - you can define these at an application or item page level.
Client-Side Components
Users can access Oracle APEX through any browser and utilize client-side components that interact directly with the browser.
Client components include:
HTML and JavaScript
APEX's technology utilizes HTML, CSS and JavaScript to deliver dynamic functionality while rendering an appealing user experience for applications created using APEX.
With these techniques in place, APEX ensures their applications boast visually pleasing and user-centric experiences while remaining interactive for their target users.
Web Player
Web listeners are essential in routing HTTP requests to APEX components and responding accordingly, interacting directly with Application Express for processing and responding.
Shared Components
APEX provides a selection of components which can be utilized on various pages and applications, such as:
- Templates define how an app's appearance will look, such as header/footer and navigation menus.
- Themes allow developers to control an application's appearance with fonts and colors - APEX includes numerous themes. Still, you can create your own.
- Menus enable users to navigate between sections within software easily through static links or dynamic hyperlinks. In contrast, Dynamic Actions enable developers to build interactive client-side behavior without using JavaScript custom code - they are activated through user interaction or timed triggers.
Development Environment
APEX is an online low-code development environment that empowers developers to create, modify and deploy applications quickly.
Key features are:
- App Builder is the primary interface used for developing applications. Developers utilize App Builder to design pages, areas and other components within an app.
- Visual interface designed for designing individual pages within an application. Developers can define components' properties before placing them onto pages.
- These tools are intended to assist in creating custom charts and reports, managing database objects, and running SQL queries.
- These tools provide tools designed to enable collaboration among developers by working on one application simultaneously, as well as version control, tracking, and sharing changes.
Security Management
Tools designed to define user roles, authentication methods and authorization rules can help ensure applications and data can be securely accessed.
Deployment
Once an APEX app has been developed, its release to users must be part of its deployment process. This typically entails:
Export of an Application
An APEX developer may export their application as a deployment archive, including all the resources and metadata needed to replicate it on another platform.
Import Application
You can import an APEX deployment archive into another APEX instance to recreate its application, complete with data and components in its new environment.
Access control
Administrators use user rights, access control mechanisms and authentication systems to secure application deployment.
Oracle APEX architecture harnesses Oracle Database power combined with APEX Server and Development Tools for web application deployment and development that prioritize simplicity, speed and scalability.
Read More:What is Oracle SaaS Application?
Development Process for Oracle Application Express
Oracle Application Express (APEX) development process entails several steps designed to assist developers with creating, designing and deploying web apps efficiently while considering security, functionality and user experience.
Gathering Requirements and Planning Projects
Gathering requirements is always the initial step of any development, working closely with clients, stakeholders, and business users to establish an APEX app development project's scope, goals and features.
Critical tasks involved with gathering requirements:
- Target your audience, including user personas.
- Gathering both functional and non-functional specifications.
- Integration points between databases or systems.
- User interface (UI) design and navigational flow should be detailed.
Conceptual Design
At this stage, developers create the conceptual high-level design of an application's high-level design, including structure, navigation and principal components.
Critical tasks in this phase:
- Information Architecture of an Application and its Navigation Flow
- Identification of main pages, areas and elements which will comprise your application.
- Outlining initial data models and schema designs.
Application Development
Oracle APEX allows developers to rapidly create custom APEX applications based on specific user requirements and design choices, making the creation process smooth.
Critical tasks of APEX application development include:
- Develop the APEX application and assign its attributes.
- Establishing the template, theme and user interface of an application.
- Initial security configuration includes authentication and access control settings.
Page Development and Design
At this stage, APEX pages must be designed and developed, using individual APEX pages as templates to build individual components with different functionality to achieve the desired functionality.
Developers typically create or alter various components to meet desired goals - creating or adapting various parts to reach desired goals is often among their primary tasks in this phase of APEX development. Here are its primary tasks:
- Use the Page Designer for easy layout by placing buttons, regions and items using drag-and-drop technology.
- Definition of SQL Queries, PL/SQL Processes and Dynamic Actions to Retrieve and Transform Data
- Validation and error handling systems must be established to maintain data integrity.
Data Model Implementation
Next, developers will implement the data schema and model the application requires. Tasks to be accomplished during this phase include:
- Create database views and tables to store information in.
- Determining the relationship between two tables by using foreign and primary keys.
- Implement the necessary indexes and triggers.
Business Logic
Developers implement an application's business logic and functionality by writing PL/SQL scripts for data processing, calculations and other tasks.
Here are their primary responsibilities:
- Write PL/SQL code to insert, update and delete data.
- Implementation of logic to calculate, aggregate and transform data.
- Integrate external APIs or services required by the application.
Customizing the User Interface
The developers fine-tune user interfaces to provide users with a smooth and appealing experience. The following are some of the essential tasks:
- The application can be styled using CSS and built-in themes.
- Create interactive elements by incorporating dynamic actions, like pop-up dialogues or real-time updates.
- Optimizing the app for various screen sizes, devices, and resolutions will ensure responsiveness.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Test carefully to detect and resolve any potential problems with an application before production begins. Here are critical tasks in that regard.
- Unit testing is a means of verifying individual components for functionality and quality assurance.
- Integrate testing is conducted to verify seamless interaction amongst all components in an application.
- User acceptance testing (UAT) is an efficient method to assess whether an app meets all expectations from stakeholders and users alike.
Performance Optimizer
Before an application goes live, thorough testing must occur to identify and address any problems. Here are vital tasks:
- Unit testing is an efficient way of verifying individual components for functionality and quality assurance.
- Integrate testing is conducted to verify seamless interaction among all the different application components.
- User acceptance testing (UAT) is an invaluable way to ensure an app meets its intended functions as promised and satisfies stakeholders' expectations.
Implementation of Security
Application security is paramount; developers implement measures to safeguard sensitive information while upholding user privacy.
Here are vital tasks:
- Implementation of authentication mechanisms such as username/password logins and Single Sign On (SSO) are integral for proper functioning.
- Implement rules of authorization to restrict user access.
- Validate user input to prevent SQL injection and other vulnerabilities.
Documentation
Documenting an app's functionality and architecture is integral to understanding its operations and architecture.
Below are vital tasks:
- Create user documentation to guide end-users on how to utilize the application.
- Documentation that details the design, components and data model for an application.
- Guidelines and updates are available here for maintenance and future upgrades.
Deployment
After the application has been thoroughly tested, optimized and is ready to be deployed in a production setting.
The essential tasks are:
- The APEX application can be exported as a deployment archive.
- Importing an application to the APEX production instance.
- Configuring the production level settings, such as database connection and security settings.
Monitoring
It is essential that you continue to monitor and maintain your application after deployment. This will ensure its stability and performance.
Logging and monitoring provide insights into user interactions within an application, helping detect hacking attempts as well as performance issues. Oracle Application Express comes equipped with monitoring and logging functionality built-in. The following are vital tasks:
- Monitor server performance, database performance and user activities.
- Updates and patches can be applied to an application when necessary.
- Improve the user experience by addressing user feedback and modifying your product based on their usage.
Continuous Improvement
The iterative development of applications is a process. The developers continuously collect feedback, analyze user behavior, and improve the application.
The following are some of the essential tasks:
- Analysis of application usage metrics to determine popular features and problems.
- Include user suggestions and feedback in the development of new features.
- Enhancing the functionality of an application, its user interface, and performance.
Trends in Oracle APEX
Development with Low Code
Oracle APEX is an ideal fit for organizations interested in low-code application development. APEX serves as an efficient means of creating applications without extensive coding efforts, making APEX an indispensable asset to organizations looking for efficient application production solutions.
Cloud Services Integration
Oracle APEX product uses Oracle Cloud Services to access various cloud capabilities like machine learning, analytics and data storage.
Mobile Compatibility and Responsive Design
Cell phones have become ubiquitous; therefore, APEX app designers need to incorporate responsive layouts that adapt across various screen sizes into their design strategy.
Improvements to Interactive Grid
Oracle is making great strides toward expanding and improving its Interactive Grid component. This indispensable tool lets users visualize, edit and manipulate tabular data.
Oracle promises more features and customization options as the Interactive Grid evolves further.
Restful Web Services
Software development has increasingly adopted RESTful web services as a communication and data integration mechanism among systems.
APEX allows its customers to expose and consume these web services, thus simplifying integration into other systems.
Universal Theme Enhances User Experience
Oracle continues to enhance this APEX built-in theme's UX/UI by making changes that further modernize it by updating styles, elements and responsive design components.
Enhancements to Security
Application development always presents security-related concerns; Oracle should continue providing features and enhancements that help developers build secure APEX apps.
Charting and Visualization
While APEX already includes charts, Oracle could enhance this feature further with more sophisticated visualization options.
Enhance Developer Collaboration
Features like version control, team development and application sharing will likely be enhanced to foster effective developer teamwork.
Oracle Database Integration
APEX and the Oracle Database are tightly interwoven, meaning any upgrades or features added to Oracle can directly affect APEX functionality and performance.
New database features allow APEX developers to take advantage of them to enhance APEX application features and capabilities.
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Conclusion
The Oracle APEX process offers a systematic method for designing web apps with advanced features. Each phase, from project planning through requirements gathering to continuous improvement, successfully contributes to its creation, deployment and maintenance.
Following these steps can ensure their app fulfills user expectations while following best practices to offer seamless experiences to end-users.
The Oracle APEX Architecture is a flexible and robust framework which combines client-side technologies, an APEX Engine, Oracle Database, Shared Components, Oracle Development platform, and Deployment Mechanisms.
The Oracle APEX architecture allows developers to build powerful web apps with less effort by leveraging the Oracle Database platform and APEX engine
