27-03-2012, 01:04 PM
Oracle Application Express
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What is Oracle Application Express?
Oracle Application Express (also called APEX and formerly called HTML DB) is a FREE RAD web development tool. APEX is written using PL/SQL and runs completely inside of a web browser. APEX is an IDE and a runtime environment. You use APEX to write web applications. Users, using their database user ID, log into APEX and run their application from a menu.
3. How is APEX a RAD Tool?
Because APEX is so tightly integrated to the database, you can prototype screens while sitting with the user. The Object Browser allows you to create database objects such as tables in addition
to viewing those same objects. This allows you to create objects on the fly and then build tables around those objects.
The IDE, including the above Table builder, and all applications are run within a browser. Turn-around time is immediate. Because APEX is declarative, you can easily make changes in real-time via the built-in wizards.
Because APEX controls session information for you, and because you use the security framework built into the Oracle Database, you can concentrate on delivering applications, not on connection configuration and other typical web development time wasters.
4. How much does APEX Cost and where can I get it?
APEX comes pre-installed and completely integrated with Oracle Database Express Edition (XE). For all other editions of Oracle Database, Oracle Application Express comes as a free add-on that can be downloaded and installed.
If you chose to "try before you buy", or since it's free, "try before you install", you can also use the hosted APEX Online facility. This facility allows you
to create and run complete applications just as you would on your own equipment.
7. Where can I try APEX?
As mentioned above, you can sign up for a free account at apex.oracle.com (Oracle's hosted Application Express site). When you sign up for an account, you identify the work area name that you want to use and identify an administrator. From there you can create applications and users just as you would on your own hardware and systems. apex.oracle.com is not intended for production systems, it is intended for exploration and testing.
For additional hosting companies, check out the Oracle Application Express Community. These sites offer varying levels of hosting including free developer access and full application deployment.
8. What kind of support exists for APEX?
Application Express has a robust community to help you develop, deliver, and use APEX applications. The first stop for support would be the APEX Forums at Oracle Technology Network. This active forum provides tips and answers from many experts both inside and outside of Oracle.
10. What is the future of Application Express?
Oracle has made a large commitment to Application Express. In a fairly short time, APEX has made it to version 3.0. Every release makes it easier to use and deploy applications. While recent releases have improved APEX integration with SOA, APEX does not try to compete with jDeveloper or the Oracle Java stack. APEX is the glue that can combine various parts of an enterprise solution into a whole.