Before

misdemo.maathradev.com redirects to misdemo.maathradev.com/ords/_/landing

After

misdemo.maathradev.com redirects to misdemo.maathradev.com/ords/r/mtc/demo/login (APEX app landing page)

Assumptions

• ORDS is installed as a service on Oracle Linux (You can run in standalone mode also)

• ORDS is already configured and running

• Oracle APEX application is available and accessible

• You are using customer managed ORDS

The One-Liner Solution

ords config set misc.defaultPage r/mtc/demo/login

That's it. Restart ORDS and you're done.

Breaking Down the Path

The format is: r/{workspace}/{app_alias}/{page_alias}

• mtc = your workspace name

• demo = your application alias

• login = your landing page alias

Example

Let's say you want users to land directly on your sales dashboard:

sudo systemctl stop ords
sudo -iu oracle
ords config set misc.defaultPage r/sales/crm/dashboard
exit
sudo systemctl start ords

Now when someone visits yourdomain.com, they go straight to your dashboard instead of the default ORDS page.

Why This Works

ORDS has a built-in configuration parameter misc.defaultPage that most people don't know about. Instead of setting up redirect rules elsewhere, you're just telling ORDS where to send users by default.

Quick Tips

• Make sure your page alias exists and is published

• Test in dev first

• You need to restart ORDS for changes to take effect

That's the hack. Simple, clean, and no infrastructure changes needed.

References

• https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-rest-data-services/25.2/ordig/about-REST-configuration-files.html#GUID-006F916B-8594-4A78-B500-BB85F35C12A0

In APEX applications, you might need to send large amounts of data through AJAX calls - like Base64 images, large JSON payloads, or document content. However, APEX has a 32K character limit for individual parameters, which can cause errors when dealing with large data.

Problem

APEX limits individual parameters to 32,767 characters in AJAX calls. When you exceed this limit, you'll get errors like ORA-06502: PL/SQL: numeric or value error or data gets truncated silently.

Solution

There are two approaches to handle large data in APEX AJAX calls:

Method 1: Using p_clob_01 (Recent Versions)

For newer APEX versions, you can use the p_clob_01 parameter which handles large data automatically:

Javascript

// Generate a random string over 32K characters
function generateRandomString(length) {
    var chars = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789';
    var result = '';
    for (var i = 0; i < length; i++) {
        result += chars.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * chars.length));
    }
    return result;
}

// Generate an array with large random data
var myArrayOfObjects = [];
for (var i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
    myArrayOfObjects.push({
        id: i,
        data: generateRandomString(500), // 500 chars per object
        timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
    });
}

// This will create a JSON string well over 32K characters
var myLargeJsonData = JSON.stringify(myArrayOfObjects);
console.log('Generated JSON size:', myLargeJsonData.length, 'characters');

apex.server.process(
    'SAVE_LARGE_DATA',
    {
        p_clob_01: myLargeJsonData,
        x01: 'text'
    },
    {
        success: function (pData) {
            console.log('Success! Data sent successfully:', pData);

            apex.message.showPageSuccess('Large data processed successfully');
        },
        error: function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
            console.error('Error sending large data:');
            console.error('Status:', textStatus);
            console.error('Error:', errorThrown);
            console.error('Response Text:', jqXHR.responseText);
            console.error('Status Code:', jqXHR.status);

            apex.message.showErrors([
                {
                    type: "error",
                    location: "page",
                    message: "Failed to process large data" + textStatus,
                    unsafe: false
                }
            ]);
        },
        dataType: "text"
    }
);

AJAX Callback

    DECLARE
        l_clob_data CLOB := APEX_APPLICATION.G_CLOB_01;
    BEGIN
        htp.p('{ "charCount" : '||length(l_clob_data)||'}');
    END;

Method 2: Data Chunking (All APEX Versions)

Break large data into smaller chunks and send via array parameters:

Javascript

// Generate a random string over 32K characters
function generateRandomString(length) {
    var chars = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789';
    var result = '';
    for (var i = 0; i < length; i++) {
        result += chars.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * chars.length));
    }
    return result;
}

// Generate an array with large random data
var myArrayOfObjects = [];
for (var i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
    myArrayOfObjects.push({
        id: i,
        data: generateRandomString(500), // 500 chars per object
        timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
    });
}

// This will create a JSON string well over 32K characters
var myLargeJsonData = JSON.stringify(myArrayOfObjects);
console.log('Generated JSON size:', myLargeJsonData.length, 'characters');

const chunkSize = 8000; // A safe size for APEX g_f01 arrays
const chunks = [];

for (let i = 0; i < myLargeJsonData.length; i += chunkSize) {
    chunks.push(myLargeJsonData.substring(i, i + chunkSize));
}

// Now make the AJAX call, sending the 'chunks' array via f01
apex.server.process(
    'SAVE_CHUNKED_DATA', // The name of your AJAX server process
    {
        f01: chunks, // The key part: send the array of chunks
        x01: 'additional_data'
    },
    {
        dataType: 'json',
        success: function(pData) {
            console.log("Success! Data reassembled on the server.", pData);
            apex.message.showPageSuccess('Large data processed successfully');
        },
        error: function(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
            console.error("AJAX call failed.");
            apex.message.showErrors([
                {
                    type: "error",
                    location: "page",
                    message: "Failed to process large data" + textStatus,
                    unsafe: false
                }
            ]);
        }
    }
);

AJAX Callback

-- PL/SQL Code for the "SAVE_CHUNKED_DATA" AJAX process
DECLARE
    l_base64_chunks apex_application_global.vc_arr2 := apex_application.g_f01; -- Get the array of chunks
    l_full_base64   CLOB;
    l_result        VARCHAR2(255);
BEGIN
    -- Reassemble the full Base64 string from chunks
    l_full_base64 := '';
    FOR i IN 1 .. l_base64_chunks.COUNT LOOP
        l_full_base64 := l_full_base64 || l_base64_chunks(i);
    END LOOP;

    -- Now, l_full_base64 contains the complete string
    -- You can proceed with decoding or any other processing.
    -- For example, to decode into a BLOB:
    -- l_blob := apex_web_service.clobbase642blob(l_full_base64);

    -- Return a success JSON response to the client
   htp.p('{ "charCount" : '||length(l_full_base64)||'}'); 

EXCEPTION
    WHEN OTHERS THEN
        htp.p('{"error": true, "message": "' || sqlerrm || '"}');
END;

Conclusion

Both methods solve the 32K limit issue. Use p_clob_01 for newer APEX versions or chunking for older versions and maximum compatibility.

That's how this new integration idea was born: automatically posting birthday announcements to a Microsoft Teams channel directly from our Oracle APEX application.

In this post, I'll walk you through how we built an automation that runs daily and pushes a message to a Microsoft Teams chat whenever an employee has a birthday that day. We'll be using Microsoft Teams Workflows and Oracle APEX web services.

Let's dive in!

The Goal: Automated Birthday Announcements in Microsoft Teams

Our objective is simple:

1. Every morning at 8:30 AM IST, an Oracle APEX process will run.

2. This process will query our employee database for anyone whose birthday falls on the current date.

3. For each employee celebrating their birthday, a message will be automatically posted to a designated Microsoft Teams channel/chat.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• An Oracle APEX application.

• A table in your database containing employee information, including their name and date of birth.

• Access to a Microsoft Teams workspace and the ability to create or configure webhooks (which the Microsoft Teams Workflows component will utilize behind the scenes).

Step-by-Step Implementation

Let's break down the implementation into manageable steps:

Microsoft Teams Configuration: Setting up an Incoming Webhook

1. Select More options ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​next to the chat you want to add to the workflow. Then, select Workflows.

   

2. In the Workflows dialog box, search and select “Post to a chat when a webhook request is received”

   

3. Enter a descriptive name for the workflow.

   

4. Select the Group Chat where you want to post the wishes and click Add Workflow.

   

5. Copy the POST URL from next step.

   

Creating the APEX Automation

Here's how to set up the Oracle APEX automation:

1. Navigate to Oracle APEX Automation:

   • Go to App Builder.

   • Select your Application.

   • Go to Shared Components.

2. Create Automation:

   • Click "Create".

3. Fill in Automation Details:

   • In the pop-up wizard, enter the following:

     • Name: A descriptive name (e.g., "Daily Birthday Wishes to Teams Chat").

     • Type: Scheduled.

     • Action initiated: Always.

     • Execution Schedule: Select Custom.

     • Frequency: Daily.

     • Interval: 1.

     • Execution Time: 3 AM UTC (8:30 AM IST).

   • Click "Create".

     

4. Add Action and Enable Automation:

   • The automation is added in "Disabled" status. You need to add an action and then enable the automation.

   • Edit the default action that was added.

     • Name: Send Birthday Wishes.

     • Type: Execute Code.

     • Code: Paste the PL/SQL code (provided below) into the "Code" section.

     • Click "Apply Changes".

       

       

   • Change the automation schedule status to "Active".

     

   • Save Changes.

5. Run Automation (Optional):

   • You can now see that the automation is scheduled to run.

     

   • If you want to run the automation immediately, click "Run".

PL/SQL Code for APEX Automation

The PL/SQL code provided is for reference only. Readers should refine it with appropriate error logging and use the correct table and column names from their specific database schema.

DECLARE
   l_employee_name VARCHAR2(100); 
   l_webhook_url   VARCHAR2(1000) := 'https://prod-xx.centralindia.logic.azure.com:443/workflows/26cba624c75xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/triggers/manual/paths/invoke?api-version=2016-06-01&sp=%2Ftriggers%2Fmanual%2Frun&sv=1.0&sig=DJXu9tU6yiwU8qCwxxxxTdx0yAko_RDAsDf-Og';
   l_json_template CLOB;
   l_json_payload  CLOB;
   l_clob_response CLOB;
BEGIN
   FOR i IN (
      SELECT
         emp.first_name
         || ' '
         || emp.last_name full_name
      FROM
         employees emp
      WHERE
            emp.employee_status = 'ACTIVE'
         AND to_char(
            emp.date_of_birth
          , 'MM-DD'
         ) = to_char(
            sysdate
          , 'MM-DD'
         )
   ) LOOP
      l_employee_name := i.full_name;
    -- Define the JSON template using Q-quoting
      l_json_template := q'[{
      "type": "message",
      "attachments": [
        {
          "contentType": "application/vnd.microsoft.card.adaptive",
          "contentUrl": null,
          "content": {
            "$schema": "http://adaptivecards.io/schemas/adaptive-card.json",
            "type": "AdaptiveCard",
            "version": "1.5",
            "msteams": {
                "width": "Full"
            },
            "body": [
              {
                "type": "TextBlock",
                "text": "🎉 Happy Birthday! 🎂",
                "weight": "Bolder",
                "size": "Large",
                "wrap": true,
                "horizontalAlignment": "Center"
              },
              {
                "type": "TextBlock",
                "text": "Please join us in wishing **##EMPLOYEE_NAME##** a very happy birthday today!",
                "wrap": true,
                "spacing": "Medium"
              },
              {
                "type": "TextBlock",
                "text": "May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and all the things that make you smile. 🥳",
                "wrap": true,
                "spacing": "Small"
              },
              {
                "type": "TextBlock",
                "text": "From all of us at **Maathra**, have a fantastic year ahead! 🌟",
                "wrap": true,
                "spacing": "Medium"
              }
            ]
          }
        }
      ]
    }]';

    -- Replace the placeholder with the actual employee name defined above
      l_json_payload  := replace(
         l_json_template
       , '##EMPLOYEE_NAME##'
       , l_employee_name
      );

    -- Set the necessary HTTP header using SET_REQUEST_HEADERS (plural)
    -- Since p_reset defaults to TRUE, this call clears any previous headers
    -- and sets only the specified ones.
      apex_web_service.set_request_headers(
         p_name_01  => 'Content-Type'
       , p_value_01 => 'application/json'
        -- No need to specify p_reset => TRUE, as it's the default behavior
      );

    -- Make the RESTful web service call (POST request)
      l_clob_response := apex_web_service.make_rest_request(
         p_url         => l_webhook_url
       , p_http_method => 'POST'
       , p_body        => l_json_payload
        -- p_wallet_path => 'file:/path/to/your/wallet', -- Specify if needed
        -- p_wallet_pwd  => 'wallet_password'          -- Specify if needed
      );

    -- Check the response status code
      IF apex_web_service.g_status_code = 200
      OR apex_web_service.g_status_code = 202 THEN
         dbms_output.put_line('Successfully sent notification for ' || l_employee_name);
        -- Optional: DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Response: ' || l_clob_response);
      ELSE
         dbms_output.put_line('Error sending notification for ' || l_employee_name);
         dbms_output.put_line('Status Code: ' || apex_web_service.g_status_code);
        -- Optional: Log the response body which might contain error details
        -- DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Error Response: ' || l_clob_response);
      END IF;

   END LOOP;
EXCEPTION
   WHEN OTHERS THEN
        -- Catch any other unexpected errors
      dbms_output.put_line('Unexpected error sending notification for '
                           || l_employee_name
                           || ': '
                           || sqlerrm);
        -- Re-raise the exception if necessary, or log to a table
      RAISE;
END;

Outcome: Automated Birthday Wishes in Microsoft Teams

Here's an example of how the automated birthday wishes appear in a Microsoft Teams chat:

Alternative: Maathra CloudApps Automation

In our specific application, we used the Automation feature available as part of our CloudApps application, instead of the APEX automation. Both approaches function similarly, as the CloudApps automation is an abstraction layer over dbms_scheduler. Here are the configuration steps within our CloudApps system.

References

• Microsoft Teams Workflow: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/creating-a-workflow-from-a-chat-in-teams-e3b51c4f-49de-40aa-a6e7-bcff96b99edc

• Oracle APEX Automations: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/24.2/htmdb/about-automations.html

• Oracle dbms_scheduler: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/21/arpls/DBMS_SCHEDULER.html

• Adaptive Cards: https://adaptivecards.io/

This blog post is a continuation of my session at the JAPAC Oracle APEX Office Hours held on December 19, 2024.

https://apexadb.oracle.com/ords/r/tech/catalog/session-landing-page?p2_event_id=45765721044361121760365597768138001502&p2_source_log=QR

In today’s fast-paced event environment, collaboration and engagement are essential to delivering impactful experiences. With this vision, we built the AI enabled Oracle APEX Q&A App, a modern and dynamic solution designed to bridge the gap between participants, speakers, and experts at the Oracle APEX Utsav 2024. Here's how this app was created to enhance event interactions and the innovative features that make it a standout solution.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGZG1MLznQ/XwGjN28cHL-0CmvWKKTLPw/view?utm_content=DAGZG1MLznQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3fa4ecc1c4

Why We Built This App

The primary goal of the Oracle APEX Q&A App was to enable seamless collaboration and communication during the event. It was designed to:

• Foster real-time engagement between attendees, speakers, and Oracle APEX experts.

• Provide a platform for participants to ask meaningful questions and get expert answers.

• Leverage AI-driven assistance for instant responses, ensuring that every query gets attention.

By addressing these needs, the app aimed to create a more inclusive and interactive environment for all event stakeholders.

Key Features of the Q&A App

The Oracle APEX Q&A App is packed with features that showcase the agility and innovation of Oracle APEX:

1. QR Code Integration

   • Each participant’s ID card featured a unique QR code.

   • Scanning the QR code granted users instant access to the app.

2. Smart Question Management

   • Users could post questions and select specific topics or speakers to address them.

   • Questions could also be left open for the entire community of experts to answer.

3. AI Integration

   • A built-in AI agent provided instant, intelligent answers to user queries.

   • This ensured every question received attention, even in real-time scenarios.

4. Real-Time Notifications

   • Participants received push notifications when their questions were answered, ensuring they never missed an update.

5. PWA Support

   • The app functioned as a Progressive Web App, offering a seamless experience across devices.

   • Participants could access the app offline, ensuring uninterrupted usability.

How It Works

The app’s workflow is simple yet effective:

1. Access via QR Code:

   • Participants scan the unique QR code on their ID to log in.

2. Post Questions:

   • Users post questions, selecting a specific topic or speaker, or leave it open for experts.

3. Review and Respond:

   • Speakers and Oracle APEX experts review questions and provide detailed answers.

4. AI Assistance:

   • Participants can interact with the AI agent for immediate responses to general queries.

5. Stay Updated:

   • Push notifications alert users when their question receives a response, keeping them engaged.

Sample Application

• https://github.com/arun-maathra/apex-apps/tree/271b18a0ad91e9538556296564b0d493949f3d26/QnA%20App

Credits

• https://github.com/mebjas/html5-qrcode

• https://inoaug.org/

In our previous tutorial, we discussed setting up a reverse proxy using Microsoft IIS, enhancing the security and accessibility of our Oracle APEX applications. Continuing from there, this tutorial delves into another crucial aspect of application security: installing free SSL from Let's Encrypt in Microsoft IIS.

Disclaimer

Before we proceed, it's essential to emphasize that the methods demonstrated in this tutorial are intended solely for educational purposes. While suitable for development environments, these approaches may not provide the level of security required for production environments. Always consult with your organization's IT policies and security guidelines before implementing any changes.

Use Case

In a development environment, securing our applications becomes paramount, especially when integrating with other services reliant on SSL and testing advanced functionalities such as push notifications. By installing SSL certificates, we ensure secure communication between our application and external services, enhancing overall security and trustworthiness.

Video Tutorial

Implementation

To implement free SSL from Let's Encrypt in Microsoft IIS, we'll leverage a third-party tool called win-acme. Follow these simple steps to secure your development environment:

1. Download win-acme: Begin by acquiring win-acme, a user-friendly tool designed to simplify the SSL certificate acquisition process. URL: https://www.win-acme.com/

   

   

2. Configure Site Bindings in IIS: Next, navigate to Internet Information Services (IIS) and configure site bindings to establish seamless communication between your server and the SSL certificate.

   

3. Request SSL using win-acme: With win-acme command line interface, initiate the SSL certificate request process, allowing for a secure connection to your development environment.

   

Trusted Origin Configuration

After enabling SSL and reverse proxy, it's common to encounter issues when logging into Oracle APEX workspace due to untrusted origins. To overcome this, we need to configure trusted origins in the ORDS configuration file. Here's how:

1. Open the ORDS configuration folder and locate the 'settings.xml' file.

2. Add an entry for your domain to the 'settings.xml' file to designate it as a trusted origin.

    <entry key="security.externalSessionTrustedOrigins">http://example.com,https://example.com:443</entry>
    <entry key="security.forceHTTPS">true</entry>
   

3. Save the changes and restart the server to apply the configuration.

By following the steps outlined in this tutorial and configuring trusted origins, we can establish a secure foundation for testing and integrating advanced functionalities into our Oracle APEX applications. Stay tuned for more insightful tutorials in our "How-to in Oracle APEX" series!

References

• win-acme download URL: https://www.win-acme.com/

• Let's Encrypt: https://letsencrypt.org/

In this tutorial, we will discuss the steps to set up a reverse proxy for Oracle APEX using Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Service).

Please note that this guide is intended for educational purposes only. In a production environment, additional steps may be necessary to adequately secure the applications.

Use Case

Your organization hosts an APEX application, and you aim to enhance its security by implementing SSL encryption and obscuring the actual port numbers on which the application runs.

Assumptions

• ORDS is running either in standalone mode or deployed in Apache Tomcat.

• ORDS is accessible on port 8080.

• The DNS record for your domain has already been added and is pointed to the reverse proxy server.

Video Tutorial

Steps

Setting up a reverse proxy with IIS involves five steps, as listed below.

1. Install IIS

2. Install Microsoft Application Request Routing Module

3. Install Microsoft URL Rewrite Module

4. Enable Reverse Proxy

5. Configure Trusted Origins

Watch the video tutorial and follow the steps to set up a reverse proxy.

1. Install IIS

• Open Server Manager

• Select "Add roles and features"

• 

• Click Next and select "Role-based or feature-based installation" and click Next.

  

• Select "Web Server (IIS)" from Server Roles

  

• Click Next and Click "Add Features"

  

• Click 'Next' until you reach the last step of the wizard, and the installation will commence.

  

Once the installation is complete, check the server status by opening 'localhost' in a browser.

2. Install Microsoft Application Request Routing Module

• Download Microsoft Application Request Routing from https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/application-request-routing

• Install the module.

  

Verify the installation by opening the IIS Manager

3. Install Microsoft URL Rewrite Module

• Download the URL Rewrite module and install it. https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite

  

• Verify the installation from the IIS Manager.

4. Enable Reverse Proxy

• Open IIS Manager

  

• Open your site

• Open URL Rewrite module

  

• Click "Add Rules" under actions.

  

• Select "Reverse Proxy" and click OK.

  

• Set the rules as shown in the screenshot.

  

• You have enabled Reverse Proxy. Let's verify by typing the domain in the browser. You will see that the APEX application is loading without the need to specify the port number.

  

5. Configure Trusted Origins

• If you attempt to log in to Oracle APEX, you may encounter the following error. To resolve this, add your domain to the trusted origins in the ORDS configuration file.

  

• Open the ORDS configuration file from {ORDS Config Directory}/global/settings.xml

• Add your domain to the trusted origins list and save the file.

  

    <entry key="security.externalSessionTrustedOrigins">http://example.com,https://example.com:443</entry>
  

• Restart ORDS and verify the setup by logging into Oracle APEX Workspace.

  

  

References

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/iis/get-started/introduction-to-iis/iis-web-server-overview

• Application Request Routing: https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/application-request-routing

• URL Rewrite: https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/url-rewrite

• ORDS Configuration File: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-rest-data-services/23.4/ordig/about-REST-configuration-files.html#GUID-006F916B-8594-4A78-B500-BB85F35C12A0

Course Objective

The primary objective of this course is to equip you with a fair understanding of SQL and PL/SQL specifically tailored for Oracle APEX. We understand that as beginners, you might be taking your first steps in the world of database development. That's why we're focusing on the basics to ensure a solid foundation for your APEX journey. We won't delve into advanced SQL or complex PL/SQL in this series. Instead, we'll focus on the essentials that you need to start your Oracle APEX journey. We understand that building a solid foundation is key, and we'll make sure that you get there.

Who Should Join

This course is intended for beginners in Oracle APEX. If you're just getting started with APEX or have some experience but want to strengthen your SQL and PL/SQL skills, this course is perfect for you. We want to emphasize that this series is geared towards those who are new to these topics, so there's no need to worry if you haven't worked with SQL or PL/SQL before.

The Approach

Hands-On Learning

One of the core principles of this course is hands-on learning. We believe that the best way to grasp these fundamental concepts is by putting them into practice. Throughout the course, we'll use a sample database provided by Oracle, and we'll work within the Oracle APEX Workspace to practice SQL commands. This approach will give you real-world experience and prepare you for practical APEX development.

Course Structure

The series will be structured in a logical order, starting with the basics and gradually building your skills. Each topic will be accompanied by practical examples, and we encourage you to follow along and practice on your own.

What to Expect

In the upcoming posts, you can expect to see a combination of clear explanations, code snippets, and practical exercises. We'll ensure that the content is approachable, easy to follow, and above all, valuable for your journey into Oracle APEX.

Index

1. Credits

2. Introduction to SQL

   1. Learning environment setup

   2. What is SQL?

   3. Understanding relational databases

   4. Basic SQL queries (SELECT, FROM, WHERE)

   5. Sorting and filtering data

3. Retrieving Data with SQL

4. Modifying Data with SQL

Disclaimer

I am excited to share my knowledge with the community through this tutorial series. While I strive to provide accurate information, please let me know if you notice any discrepancies. Please note that this series is a work in progress and may be incomplete or subject to change. I will update this page as new content is added in the coming months.

Welcome to the tutorial on styling your Oracle APEX application using Theme Roller. When it comes to creating a great user experience, the appearance of your web application plays a vital role. With Theme Roller, you have the ability to customize the look and feel of your Oracle APEX application, turning it from a basic design into a visually appealing and cohesive interface. In this tutorial, we will explore the world of Theme Roller and learn how it can enhance the aesthetics of your application.

Video Tutorial

Steps to Create Theme Style

• Log in to Oracle APEX Workspace and run the application

• Select "Customize" from the developer toolbar and then select "Theme Roller"

• Select a base theme style and change the options.

• Try different options and to save the changes click "Save"

• Provide a name for the new theme style and click save.

Changing Theme Style from App Builder

• Log in to Oracle APEX workspace and open the application.

• Navigate to Shared Component --> User Interface --> User Interface Attributes

• Under the "Attributes" set the theme style

• Click Apply Changes and run the application.

In this tutorial, you will discover how to create your very first Oracle APEX application from scratch. We will walk you through the step-by-step process of building a web app effortlessly, enabling you to dive into the world of Oracle APEX development with confidence.

Video Tutorial

Steps to Create APEX Application

• Log in to Oracle APEX

• Click on App Builder

  

• Click Create

  

• Click New Application in the Create An Application wizard

  

• Provide a name for your application. E.g., MyHR

  

• Optionally change the icon and color scheme by selecting the icon next to the application name

  

• Click Save Icon

• Under features click "Check All"

  

• Click Create Application.

• This process may take a few seconds to complete.

• To run the application click the play button.

  

• Sign in with your workspace username and password.

  

• You have successfully created your first APEX application without writing a single line of code. The application automatically handled the authentication.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to install the sample data set provided by Oracle in Oracle APEX. By utilizing this pre-defined data, you can quickly jumpstart your application development and explore the capabilities of Oracle APEX with realistic data scenarios.

Steps

• Log in to the Oracle APEX workspace

• Click on SQL Workshop

• Click Utilities from the landing page

• Click Sample Datasets

• Click the Install button towards the left of "HR Data"

• Click Next

• Click Install Dataset

• The process may take a few seconds to complete. Once completed click exit and use the object browser to review the database objects.

Video Tutorial

Welcome to this tutorial on Oracle APEX Development Tools. This tutorial will explore two essential tools: App Builder and SQL Workshop. By familiarizing yourself with these tools, you will gain the confidence to create robust applications using Oracle APEX. Let's dive in and discover how these tools can empower you in your APEX development journey.

App Builder

App builder provides a visual development environment for creating stunning web applications without complex coding.

It has four large icons Create, Import, Dashboard, and Workspace utilities.

Create. Launches the Create Application Wizard. Use the Create Application Wizard to build a complete application containing multiple pages.

Import. Launches the Import Wizard. Use this wizard to import export files from the export repository.

Dashboard. Links to the App Builder Dashboard display metrics about applications in the current workspace.

Workspace Utilities. Use the Workspace Utilities page to access REST Enabled SQL Services, Remote Servers, Application Groups, Web Credentials, Workspace Themes, Export, Oracle APEX Views, Manage Backups, and REST Source Catalog.

SQL Workshop

SQL Workshop offers a comprehensive set of SQL development and administration tools.

SQL Workshop home page features

• Object Browser

• SQL Commands

• SQL Scripts

• Utilities

• RESTful Services

In this tutorial, we will be covering Object and SQL Commands only.

Video Tutorial

References

App Builder User's Guide: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/23.1/htmdb/index.html

SQL Workshop Guide:

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/23.1/aeutl/index.html

Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a low-code development platform that enables developers to create web-based applications quickly and easily. The best part is that you can start learning and building APEX applications without any cost. In this blog post, we will cover how to request a free workspace on apex.oracle.com, where you can create and host your APEX applications. This step-by-step guide will help beginners get started with APEX, and enable them to build their own applications without worrying about hosting costs.

Steps to Request Free Workspace

Here are the steps to request a free workspace on apex.oracle.com:

1. Open a web browser and go to apex.oracle.com.

2. Click on "Start for free today" on the home page.

3. Scroll down to "Request a free workspace" and click on it.

4. Fill in the required information, including your first and last names, a valid email address, workspace name, and location. Complete the survey before submitting your request.

5. Wait for the approval email to arrive in your inbox. This may take a few seconds.

6. Open the email from apex.oracle.com and click "Create Workspace".

7. Provide a new password and confirm it when prompted.

8. Check the APEX version by clicking on "app builder" and looking at the bottom right corner. The current version is 22.2.4.

9. In the next chapter, you will learn more about various tools available within the APEX workspace, such as app builder and SQL Workshop.

By following these steps, you will be able to request a free workspace on apex.oracle.com and start your journey to developing powerful Oracle APEX applications.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of Oracle APEX to beginners and enable them to develop web applications using Oracle APEX. The course will cover essential concepts and techniques required for building a robust and scalable application. By the end of the course, you will have the necessary skills to create custom applications and the confidence to explore more advanced features of Oracle APEX.

The Approach

The approach for the "Hero to Superhero - Oracle APEX" tutorial series is a hands-on, project-based learning experience. Rather than just learning concepts and theory, participants will be applying what they learn to develop a real-world application. Each section will build upon the previous one, providing a step-by-step guide to building the application. This approach will enable learners to not only understand the concepts but also be able to apply them in a practical setting. By the end of the series, participants will have developed a fully functional employee record management system, demonstrating their newfound skills and knowledge.

Index

1. Introduction

   1. Introduction to Oracle APEX

   2. Sample HRMS application walkthrough

2. Getting started with Oracle APEX

   1. Oracle APEX workspace - Requesting a free workspace on apex.oracle.com.

   2. Development tools in Oracle APEX - App Builder, SQL Workshop

   3. Installing sample HR/EMP dataset

   4. Creating an APEX application

   5. Oracle APEX styling using theme roller

3. Building the HRMS application

4. Oracle APEX security

5. Oracle APEX workflow using unified task lists

6. Packaging and deploying

Disclaimer

I am excited to share my knowledge with the community through this tutorial series. While I strive to provide accurate information, please let me know if you notice any discrepancies. Please note that this series is a work in progress and may be incomplete or subject to change. I will update this page as new content is added in the coming months.

In this tutorial, we will be focusing on how to use the apex_zip utility package to zip files and enable them to be downloaded with just a single button click from within an Oracle APEX page.

Background

In the employee self-service portal, employees frequently request reimbursements for various expenses such as travel allowances, shift allowances, phone reimbursements, and more. To process these requests, employees are required to upload digital copies of their supporting documents to the portal. At the end of each month, the HR admin is responsible for downloading these requests and submitting them to the accounts team. However, this process can be quite time-consuming, especially when it comes to downloading multiple attachments. To simplify this process, we've created a solution that allows users to download all attachments for all requests submitted by employees during a specific period as a single zip file. To learn more about how this solution works, please watch the video provided below.

Steps

To create a functionality to download attachments as a zip file, follow these steps:

1. Create an application process named DOWNLOAD_ATTACHMENTS in the Shared Components or at the page level in the Ajax Callback section.

   

    DECLARE
       l_download_file_name  VARCHAR2(64) := 'reimbursement-attachments.zip';
       l_zip_file        BLOB;
       l_disposition     VARCHAR2(30) := 'attachment';
    BEGIN
       FOR i IN (
          SELECT file_name,
                 file_content
          FROM my_files
       ) LOOP
         -- Add files to the zip 
        apex_zip.add_file(
                           p_zipped_blob => l_zip_file
                         , p_file_name => i.file_name
                         , p_content => i.file_content
          );
       END LOOP;
   
       -- Finish zipping
       apex_zip.finish(p_zipped_blob => l_zip_file);
       -- Download zip file
       sys.htp.init;
       sys.owa_util.mime_header(
                               'application/zip'
                             , false
       );
       sys.htp.p('Content-length: '
                 || sys.dbms_lob.getlength(l_zip_file));
   
       sys.htp.p('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="'
                 || l_download_file_name
                 || '"');
       sys.owa_util.http_header_close;
       sys.wpg_docload.download_file(l_zip_file);
       apex_application.stop_apex_engine;
    END;
   

2. Create a button and set the behavior to "Submit Page".

   

3. Under the processing tab, create a branch after the submit (or after processing) and set the behavior to:

   • Type: Page or URL (Redirect)

   • Target: Same page

   • Advanced → Request: APPLICATION_PROCESS=DOWNLOAD_ATTACHMENTS

     

4. Save and run the application.

References

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/apex/22.2/aeapi/APEX_ZIP.html#GUID-270BFF3A-5FB1-4089-894E-978608F9BD87

When building applications in Oracle APEX, it's common to display success messages to the user after specific actions, such as submitting a form or updating data. However, in some cases, it may be desirable to hide these success messages after a few seconds. This tutorial will help you implement a solution to this using JavaScript.

Video Tutorial

Steps

• Visit https://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/r/apex_pm/ut/javascript-apis or copy the below-given code snippet.

apex.jQuery(function() {
  apex.theme42.util.configAPEXMsgs({
    autoDismiss: true,
    duration: 3000  // duration is optional (Default is 3000 milliseconds)
  });
});

• Go to the Global Page( Page30)

• Click on Dynamic Actions

• Create a Dynamic Action of type "Execute JavaScript Code" on the page load

• Paste the copied code snippet. Adjust the duration and click OK, then Save the page.

Outcome

The message will be hidden after the duration specified in the code. Thus the user need not close the success message manually.

This tutorial helps you change the background image of the login page in Oracle APEX.

APEX Version: 22.1

Expected Output

Default Login Page

Steps

• Upload image in Shared Components --> Files and Reports --> Static Application Files --> Create File

  

• Note down the "Reference". In this example, the Reference is #APP_FILES#app-bg.jpg

  

• Edit the Login Page and add the below-given CSS in the inline CSS field under the CSS section.

body{
  background-image: url('#APP_FILES#app-bg.jpg') !important;
  background-position: center;
  background-repeat: no-repeat; 
  background-size: cover !important;
}

• 

• Save changes and run the page.

Output

Useful Links

Stock Photos: https://www.pexels.com/

Opensource Illustrations: https://undraw.co/

This video tutorial is for installing Oracle APEX on a Windows machine and deploying ORDS in Apache Tomcat. The APEX version used in this tutorial is 20. However, the approach remains the same for later versions as well.

Watch Tutorial

This tutorial will help you understand the usage of apex.item javascript API to set the value of a page item.

Syntax

setValue(pValue, pDisplayValueopt, pSuppressChangeEventopt)

Examples

Input Fields

In this example, the value of the page item P1_ITEM will be set to 10. As pSuppressChangeEvent has not been passed, the default behavior of the change event triggering for P1_ITEM will occur.

apex.item( "P1_ITEM" ).setValue( "10" );

Pop-Up LOV/ Select List

In this example, P1_DEPARTMENT is a Popup LOV page item. A pop-up LOV must have a display value and return value. The display value of P1_DEPARTMENT will be set to Sales, and the hidden return value will be set to 10.

apex.item( "P1_DEPARTMENT" ).setValue( "10", "Sales");

This example shows how to suppress the change event when there is no display value.

apex.item( "P1_DEPARTMENT" ).setValue( "10", null, true );

Reference

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/application-express/21.2/aexjs/item.html#setValue