Oracle Forms is the most important tool used to create client/server and World Wide Web applications that run against Oracle databases. Oracle Forms Developer’s Handbook is a complete reference guide for those who use Forms to build sophisticated database systems rapidly and productively. The book covers in detail all the aspects, features and functionality of Oracle Forms.
In order to reinforce the concepts discussed in the book, we have provided a number of software assets that you may download in your environment and use freely. The intention of the provided software is to allow you to perform in your environment the most important activities discussed in the book. This software is organized by chapters of the book. To access the software assets provided for a given chapter, simply follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter's title. You will be presented with a list of software assets provided for the chapter. The name of each file is linked to the actual file on the site. Follow your Web browser's commands to save the file onto a folder of your hard PC. Alternatively, you can obtain the entire inventory of software assets by downloading and unzipping in your environment the file SW_ASSETS.ZIP.
All the commands to create the database objects discussed in the book and populate them with the necessary data are provided in SQL*Plus files in the compressed file SQL_FILES.ZIP. Download and extract this file in your environment, for example in the folder C:\ORAFORMS_BOOK\SQL.
It is recommended that you create a separate account to store all these database objects. To create this account, run the script CREATE_USER.SQL and respond to the prompts with values according to your environment, as explained in the following link. If you desire to remove this account at a later date, run the script DROP_USER.SQL, as explained in the following link. After creating the new user account, run the script CREATE_OBJECTS.SQL from SQL*Plus, as explained in the following link. If you desire to remove these objects at a later date, execute the script DROP_OBJECTS.SQL, as explained in the following link.
The following is a brief description of the parts of the book followed by a list of chapters in each part.
This part introduces you to the tools, features and ways of working with Oracle Forms. If you are new to Oracle Forms, you should read carefully the first three chapters, which walk you step by step through the process of creating and using a Forms application. If you are familiar with previous versions of Oracle Forms, these chapters will be very helpful as an introduction to the major features and enhancements of the new version of the Form Builder.
The assets in this part are organized by chapters. A list of these chapters follows. To access the software assets for a given chapter, follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter title.
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This part offers an overview of the necessary tools to create, design, and enhance forms. The purpose, access methods, components and usage of important tools such as the Object Navigator, Layout Editor, Property Palette, Menu Editor, Object Library Editor, and PL/SQL Editor, are discussed in detail.
The assets in this part are organized by chapters. A list of these chapters follows. To access the software assets for a given chapter, follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter title.
Chapter 11: Object-Relational Oracle8 and PL/SQL8
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This part presents the Form Builder as an object-oriented and event-driven programming environment. It explains the features and functionality of its objects, including data blocks, items, windows, record structures and menus. It also discusses events associated with each object, triggers they fire, and how you can use them to enhance Forms applications.
The assets in this part are organized by chapters. A list of these chapters follows. To access the software assets for a given chapter, follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter title.
Chapter 12: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
Chapter 13: Data Blocks, Frames and Relations
Chapter 14: Items and Data Items
Chapter 16: Windows, Canvases, and Dialog Boxes
Chapter 17: Record Structures and Other Objects
Chapter 18: Menus and Toolbars
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This part covers advanced programming with Oracle Forms. It begins with debugging techniques and activities. Then, it discusses the integration of Forms with other Oracle Developer tools, such as Report Builder and Graphic Builder. I dedicate an entire chapter to the reusable components provided by Oracle Forms and the benefits you draw by including them in your applications. Another important subject I cover in this part is the development and deployment of Forms applications on the Web in a three-tier architecture. In a separate chapter, I present tips and techniques to simplify Forms development and installation using the Project Builder. I conclude this part discussing the use of Oracle Designer in creating, maintaining and generating Form Builder modules.
The assets in this part are organized by chapters. A list of these chapters follows. To access the software assets for a given chapter, follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter title.
Chapter 21: Creating Integrated Developer Applications
Chapter 22: Developer Reusable Components
Chapter 23: Managing Developer Projects (*)
Chapter 24: Developer Forms for the Web (*)
Chapter 25: Creating Forms with Designer (*)
Chapter 26: Generating Forms with Designer (*)
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This part focuses on to the integration of Oracle Forms with other Microsoft Windows applications through Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), and Microsoft's COM-based technologies, including OLE Documents, Automation, and ActiveX controls. I also cover here the implementation of user exits and the extension of Developer applications' functionality using the PL/SQL interface to foreign functions.
The assets in this part are organized by chapters. A list of these chapters follows. To access the software assets for a given chapter, follow the hyperlink associated with the chapter title.
Chapter 27: Dynamic Data Exchange
Chapter 28: COM-Based Technologies
Chapter 29: Automation and ActiveX Controls
Chapter 30: Foreign Function Interface
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(*) No software assets are provided for this chapter.