Oracle Forms

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oracle Forms is a development tool from Oracle and allows WYSIWYG creation and the programming of database-supported, interactive dialog masks . In addition to the Oracle database, various other SQL databases are also supported; programming is done in PL / SQL or Java (imported Java classes).

Product versions

Oracle Forms was developed in 1979 by Bill Friend and distributed together with the first commercial ORACLE database under the name IAF (Interactive Application Facility). Later, around 1982, a report variant (RPT) was added with RPT. Other versions followed under the name "Fastforms", "SQL Forms" and then finally "Oracle Forms". From 1985 to 2002 Forms was further developed by Sohaib Abbassi. Milestones were the PL / SQL integration (long before the database), the screen builder (possibility of visual mask design) and in 1999 an Internet 3-layer architecture. Since 2002 Grant Ronald and Michael Ferrante have been the other product managers at ORACLE Forms.

As of product version 9, only the web-based 3-tier architecture is supported. The Oracle WebLogic Server is a prerequisite for the productive operation of Forms applications (in earlier versions of Forms this was the Oracle Application Server). Some products of the Oracle Applications product family (EBS) use forms to implement the dialog masks. For this reason, Oracle Forms will continue to be supported and further developed by ORACLE in the long term. With the Statement of Direction , Oracle described the further development of Forms. The current version 12.2.1.4 has Premium Support until August 2022 and Extended Support until August 2025. Further successor versions are already planned. The next release should appear as a major release (14/21) at the end of 2021 and modernizations are currently being discussed in the following areas:

1. Improvements to Java client UI - GUI improvements for the Java interface

2. HTML / JS replacement for Java client - A new Javascript client as an alternative to the Java client

3. More installation options (eg standalone Form Builder with lightweight runtime) - Easy installation of the Forms Builder

4. Improved integration with other technologies and products - integration of new technologies z. B. REST Services

Here is an example from the early development phase of the next form version. The classic shape objects such as fields (items), frames and blocks are displayed on the client in a modern web design.

Current version:

  • The current version Forms & Reports 12c (12.2.1.4) was released on September 27, 2019

Basics

Oracle Forms is a 4GL development environment for the rapid creation of robust dialog applications for Oracle databases with the help of so-called forms (for more see also scheme (computer science) ). Elements of graphical user interfaces are organized internally in blocks that are linked to database tables or procedures. Blocks are connected to one another when they are e.g. B. Map master-detail relations. The code for updating the detail display for data record navigation is generated automatically. "Database-like" dialog applications can be created without a line of additional code. Querying, inserting, changing or deleting data as well as intelligent locking at data record level ( e.g. to avoid lost updates ) are part of the standard logic of a database block and do not have to be coded separately. Event-driven triggers, which are formulated using the Ada- like programming language PL / SQL , are used for your own application logic . Forms applications created with the WYSIWYG Designer are converted into executable modules by the integrated Forms compiler. This compilation may include a. Missing or invalid database objects or missing authorizations detected, which contributes to the runtime stability of Forms applications.

One advantage of Forms is that database logic that is required for robust and sustainable operation can be generated automatically. The mask logic offers out of the BOX the locking of data records during processing (row level locking) or the performance-optimized query of the content using optimizer-friendly techniques (bindings).

From version 12, applications can be started without a browser. To do this, it is sufficient to install a Java Runtime archive on the client PC. Contrary to earlier statements by ORACLE, Oracle Reports will continue to be offered in the current version 12.2.1.4 and possibly even in the next version. Michael Ferrante, the product manager of Oracle Forms, has summarized all innovations to the product, which were introduced with the family 12.1.2.x, in a New Features document (see web links). With the new version 12.2.1.4, Forms was brought up to date on September 27, 2019 and is now certified on all common server operating systems (Windows, Solaris, Unix) and the databases 11.2.0.4, 12.1., 12.2, 18.3+ and 19.3+. The range of languages ​​now allows PL / SQL version 12.1 and database connections with SQLNET12. A Forms license now also includes a license to use the BI Publisher. The BI-Publisher was integrated in Forms and can be called up in a similarly convenient way.

In Germany, a Forms group with around 100 active form developers has come together in the DOAG. Dr. Jürgen Quantity and Jan-Peter Timmermann lead this group, which can be reached under the link "ORACLE Forms Community Germany" in the web links. Part of the activity is also a demo server operated by the group with free demos that can be tested and downloaded online free of charge according to the "OPEN SOURCE" idea.

One of the activities of this group is the annual Formsday .

Modernizations

There are various approaches to make something “new” out of the old Forms: Partly by sprucing up with Java or migrating to Oracle ADF . The best known framework for "modernizing" Oracle Forms applications is the LAF project by Francois Degrelle.

The new version 12.2.1.3 allows many modernizations that no longer require "Java Extensions". Details can be found in the document by Michael Ferrante in the web links.

With the option from 12.2.1.x, the GUI can also be designed in a more modern way (CustomColorScheme, ROW Banding, Smartbarheight etc.)

literature

Web links

References and comments

  1. ^ Frank Hoffmann, Bill Friend, Sohaib Abassi: 40 years Oracle Forms. (PDF) DOAG, January 1, 2019, accessed on April 23, 2019 (English).
  2. ↑ Oracle Application Development Tools Statement of Direction: Oracle Forms, Oracle Reports and Oracle Designer. (PDF; 211 kB) Oracle , September 2019 (English)
  3. ^ Oracle: Support. (PDF) Oracle, April 1, 2019, accessed April 23, 2019 .
  4. ↑ Michael Ferrante: What if your OracleForms could look a bit fresher. In: @OracleFormsPM. November 1, 2019, accessed on January 7, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Oracle: Forms 12.2.1.4 Release Notes. Oracle, accessed January 7, 2020 .
  6. ↑ LAF project - borrowed from the English ' LAF project ' , which was previously shortened from ' Look and Feel Project '
  7. ↑ Oracle Forms Look and Feel Project (English) - Francois Degrelle's blog; November 2, 2010; u. a. with " LAF project "
  8. ↑ Forms Look and Feel Project (English) - start or home page; accessed on December 7, 2017