Oracle Application Express (ApEx) - FAQ
- 1. How does Oracel ApEx interact with the database?
- 2. How is ApEx a RAD (Rapid Application Development) Tool?
- 3. Where can I get ApEx?
- 4. Where can I see an ApEx site?
- 5. Where can I try ApEx?
- 6. What are the strengths of ApEx?
- 7. What are the weaknesses of ApEx?
1. How does Oracel ApEx interact with the database?
Oracle Application Express is a database application. The IDE (Integrated Development Environment), the menus, and all of the screens in ApEx are written in PL/SQL. The meta data for all of the screens, reports, and menus is stored in tables within the database. When you point your browser at the ApEx URL, the Oracle HTTP listener receives that call and uses PL/SQL and the meta data stored in database tables to render the pages.
2. How is ApEx a RAD (Rapid Application Development) Tool?
Since ApEx is integrated to the database, you can build pages while sitting with the user. The Object Browser allows you to create database objects such as tables in addition to viewing existing objects. The IDE, including the above Table builder, and all applications are run within a browser. Because ApEx is declarative, you can make changes in real-time via the built-in wizards.
3. Where can I get ApEx?
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. You can also use the hosted ApEx Online facility.
4. Where can I see an ApEx site?
One of the most well known applications developed in Application Express is the AskTom application developed by Thomas Kyte. Oracle's Application Express Studio site also runs on Apex.
5. Where can I try ApEx?
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 workspace name that you wish to use and identify an administrator. From there you can create applications just as you would on your own hardware and systems. Bear in mind that apex.oracle.com is not intended for production systems, it is only intended for exploration and testing. Use of this system to store sensitive data is prohibited.
6. What are the strengths of ApEx?
The Integrated Development Environment enables fast development of applications which are all 100% web based, using ready to use components. The applications are professional looking. It is easy to create mock-ups. Applications are easy to deploy.
7. What are the weaknesses of ApEx?
Application can be difficult to debug. Existing applications may be difficult to customise; the version control is not well-defined.
