Oracle APEX Part 2 - What is Application in APEX and how to create it

 In Oracle APEX (Application Express), an "application" refers to a collection of components that work together to provide a specific functionality or service. Here’s a breakdown of what constitutes an application in Oracle APEX:

  1. Pages: Applications are built using pages. Each page typically represents a distinct interface or functionality within the application. For example, you might have a page for user login, another for a dashboard, and yet another for data entry.

  2. Components: Pages are composed of various components like buttons, forms, reports, charts, and navigation items. These components are used to create the user interface and functionality of each page.

  3. Shared Components: These are components that can be reused across multiple pages within an application. Examples include themes (for consistent styling), shared navigation menus, and global application settings.

  4. Navigation: Applications typically have a defined navigation structure that allows users to move between different pages and sections within the application.

  5. Security: Oracle APEX provides built-in authentication and authorization mechanisms to control access to different parts of the application based on user roles and permissions.

  6. Data Sources: Applications often interact with databases or other data sources. Oracle APEX allows developers to define data sources (such as tables or web services) and integrate them into the application's components.

  7. Customization and Extensibility: Developers can customize the appearance and behavior of components using declarative settings or by writing custom code using SQL, PL/SQL, JavaScript, or other supported languages.

Overall, an application in Oracle APEX is a cohesive unit that encapsulates all the necessary components, logic, and data required to deliver a specific set of functionalities to end-users through a web browser. Oracle APEX provides a low-code environment, allowing developers to quickly build and deploy applications without needing to write extensive code from scratch.

Creating an application in Oracle APEX involves several steps, which I'll outline below. This assumes you have access to an Oracle APEX environment and the necessary privileges to create applications.

Steps to Create an Application in Oracle APEX:

  1. Log in to Oracle APEX:

    • Open your web browser and navigate to your Oracle APEX workspace URL.
    • Log in using your credentials (username and password).

  2. Navigate to the App Builder:

    • Once logged in, you will typically see a dashboard or a list of applications in your workspace.
    • Click on "App Builder" or a similar option to start creating a new application.


  3. Create a New Application:

    • In the App Builder, look for an option to create a new application. This is usually a button or link labeled "Create" or "Create Application".


  4. Define Application Attributes:

    • Provide basic information about your application, such as its name, description, and primary database schema.
    • Choose a suitable authentication method (such as Oracle Single Sign-On or Application Express Accounts) to control who can access your application.



  5. Choose a Template:

    • Oracle APEX offers a variety of built-in templates to jump-start your application development.
    • Select a template that suits your application's layout and design requirements. You can also start with a blank template if you prefer to build everything from scratch.

  6. Define Navigation and Pages:

    • After selecting a template, you'll begin defining the structure of your application.
    • Create pages for different functionalities (e.g., home page, dashboard, forms, reports) by selecting appropriate page types from the provided options.


  7. Design Pages and Components:

    • Customize each page by adding components such as buttons, forms, reports, charts, and navigation items.
    • Configure component attributes through a user-friendly interface to define their behavior and appearance.
    • Types of Button

      Types of Items

      Types of Region

  8. Set Security and Access Controls:

    • Define access controls and permissions to restrict or grant access to different pages and functionalities based on user roles.
    • Configure authentication settings to ensure secure access to your application.

  9. Test Your Application:

    • Use the built-in "Run" option within Oracle APEX to test your application as you develop it.
    • Verify that all components and functionalities work as intended and adjust as necessary.


  10. Deploy Your Application:

    • Once you are satisfied with your application, you can deploy it for end-users to access.
    • Depending on your Oracle APEX environment, deployment methods may vary, but typically, there are options to publish or deploy the application to a specific URL.

  11. Maintain and Enhance Your Application:

    • After deployment, continue to monitor and maintain your application.
    • Use Oracle APEX tools and features to enhance and expand your application's capabilities based on user feedback and changing business requirements.

By following these steps, you can effectively create, develop, and deploy applications using Oracle APEX, leveraging its powerful and user-friendly development environment. A detailed walkthrough is available in the post 

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