A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ABOUT ORACLE APEX

What is Oracle APEX:

Full form of APEX: Advanced programming experience

Oracle APEX: Oracle Application Express.

Oracle APEX is a free Oracle Database feature. It’s an online low-code application builder that allows users to rapidly create a database-driven application, customize the application’s UI, and then offer their users URL access to the app. Oracle APEX comes with several pre-built productivity app examples, including a survey builder, bug tracking, and project management with P-Track.

History of APEX:

APEX was created by Mike Hichwa, a developer at Oracle. APEX was first made accessible to the public in 2004, and it was later included in the database's version 10g. It was named HTML DB at the time, and the initial version was 1.5. It was previously known as Oracle Flows, Oracle Platform, and Project Marvel.

Product Name	Version	Released
HTML DB	1.5	2004
APEX	22.1	MAY 2022

The new version introduces some new features such as:

• Approvals component and unified task list.
• Simplified create page wizards.
• Readable application exports in JSON or YAML formats.
• Built-in data generator.
• Persistent authentication.
• Service worker customization for PWAs.

Which companies use Oracle APEX:

APEX, the language used in Salesforce development, is getting accepted by big organizations like:

• Dell
• AWS
• Deloitte
• U.S. Bank
• Accenture
• Farmers insurance, etc.,

Advantages and Disadvantages of APEX:

Advantages of APEX:

• Any developer with PL/SQL experience may utilize Oracle Apex to construct apps.
• The use of pre-built themes makes it simple to generate mock-ups.
• Simple to implement (end-user opens a URL to access an APEX application).
• Adaptable / Scalable.
• Allows for client-side as well as server-side processing and validation.
• A strong and supportive user base.
• Fundamental assistance for group growth.
• Free web hosting.
• Fast, cheap, and easy application development.

Disadvantages of APEX:

• Oracle database is the only database supported by Oracle APEX.
• It is not possible to create threads in APEX, unlike other programming languages.
• It is not possible to create temporary files in APEX
• Projects that require multiple developers to work on the same web page will need to coordinate their efforts. All components must be modified using the web interface because there is no built-in version control. There is no way to merge two versions. Conflicts can be avoided by using page locking.

How to create Work Space:

Simple steps to create an APEX Work Space:

• Click on the below link to create an APEX Work Space, and you redirect to the main APEX page.

https://apex.oracle.com/en/learn/getting-started/

Click on:

• Request a free workspace/ Download Oracle APEX

You get a registration page after clicking on Request a free space.

Enter First name, last name, and required details.

• Check mail you will receive an account activation link

After completing the registration you need to confirm your password, The APEX workspace interface is like this.

The workspace contains mainly some:

• App builder
• SQL workshop
• Team developments
• Gallery

In this article, we learn how to create an app/how to create an App template

How to Build App:

App builder contains four parts:

• Create App
• Import
• Dashboard
• Workspace utilities

Create App:

Click on Create App, we have three ways to create an App:

• New Application: In this way, we select a template style, and applications features, select them, add pages on existing data, and configure other options.

• From a File: In this way, we just upload a CSV, XLSX, XML, or JSON file or copy and paste data, then we create our application.

• Just upload the file or copy and paste the file.

After importing the file, we need to load and modify the data.

• Starter App: In this, we have available many samples and starter apps from the gallery.

• I am using create an Application option. The main interface is like this.

• If we want to change the application interface/appearance, click on the Appearance section. we have three options in the Appearance sections:

1.      Theme style

2.      Navigation style

3.      Use a custom Theme.

I am using Vita Theme Style, side menu Navigation Style.

• If we want additional pages to click on Add Pages. I am adding additional 3 pages: Videos, Playlist, and About.
• We can add logos, and change names to pages.
• I am adding features also, the features are already built-in workspace.
• You can change some settings like Application ID, Schema, Languages, etc.
• Click on Create Application after modifying all the settings. The Page Designer interface is like this.

• In this App Designer section we change pages Appearance, Header & Footer, And add HTML, JavaScript, and CSS files.
• After modifying all data click on Save and Run Page (ALT+F₈).

This is my Application interface, I am just adding pages and buttons, and I need to add CSS and HTML codes.

Conclusion:

Oracle APEX is a low-code development platform that enables you to build scalable, secure enterprise apps, with world-class features, that can be deployed anywhere. It is an easy to understand and simple process.