book

Pro Oracle Application Express 4, Second Edition

Name: Pro Oracle Application Express 4, Second Edition
ISBN: 9781430234944

by Tim Fox, John Edward Scott, Scott Spendolini

June 2011

Intermediate to advanced

735 pages

17h 36m

English

Apress

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Copyright
About the Authors
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction
1. Development Best Practices
1.1. APEX Installation Decisions1.2. Application Development Considerations1.2.1. Users and Administrators1.2.2. Workspaces and Schemas1.2.2.1. Choosing a Parsing Schema1.2.2.2. Controlling Access to New Schemas1.2.2.3. Creating Workspaces1.2.3. Application Deployment1.2.3.1. Deploying Workspaces1.2.3.2. Deploying Applications1.2.3.3. Deploying Static Files1.2.3.3.1. Uploading Static Files to the Database1.2.3.3.2. Storing Static Files on the Server File System1.2.4. Application Portability and Code Reuse1.2.4.1. Using Substitution Strings to Avoid Hard-Coding References1.2.4.2. Using the Publish/Subscribe Feature1.2.4.3. Separating Data and Application Logic from Style and Presentation1.2.4.4. Using Page Zero1.3. Performance Considerations1.3.1. Bind Variables1.3.2. Report Pagination Style1.3.3. Error and Exception Handling1.3.4. Packaged Code1.4. Team Development1.4.1. Using Team Development1.4.1.1. Preparing for Team Development1.4.1.2. Creating Features1.4.1.3. Recording Bugs and To Dos1.4.1.4. Recording a Milestone1.4.1.5. Gathering User Feedback1.4.1.6. Tracking Development Progress1.4.1.6.1. Feature Dashboard1.4.1.6.2. Bug Dashboard1.4.1.6.3. To Dos Dashboard1.5. New Development Features in APEX 4.01.5.1.1.5.1.1. APEX Development Advisor1.5.1.2. APEX Code Debugger1.6. Summary
2. Authentication and User Management
2.1. Preconfigured Authentication Schemes2.2. Open Door Credentials2.3. No Authentication2.4. Application Express Account Credentials2.4.1. Creating New Application Users2.4.2. Creating Groups2.4.3. Controlling Authentication with Groups2.4.4. Maintaining Cookie Users Within Your Application2.5. Database Account Authentication2.6. Custom Authentication2.6.1. Creating an Application from a Spreadsheet2.6.2. Running the Application2.6.3. Creating the User Repository2.6.4. Creating a New Authentication Scheme2.6.5. Regarding Index Usage2.6.6. Hash Rather Than Crypt2.7. Implementing Locked User Accounts2.7.1. Understanding the Login Process2.7.2. Modifying the Notification Message2.7.3. A Note About Session Management2.8. Automating User Registration2.8.1. Modifying the User Repository2.8.2. Modifying the Authentication Method2.8.3. Creating a Registration Form2.8.4. Adding a Verification Link Table2.8.5. Adding a User Registration Procedure2.8.6. Adding the Procedure to Send the Verification2.8.7. Handling the Verification Link2.9. Managing Session Timeouts2.10. Summary
3. Conditions and Authorization Schemes
3.1. Specifying Condition Types3.1.1. No Condition3.1.2. Exists (SQL Query Returns at Least One Row)3.1.3. NOT Exists (SQL Query Returns No Rows)3.1.4. SQL Expression3.1.5. PL/SQL Expression3.1.6. PL/SQL Function Body Returning a Boolean3.1.7. Request = Expression 13.1.8. Request != Expression 13.1.9. Request Is Contained Within Expression 13.1.10. Value of Item in Expression 1 = Expression 23.1.11. Value of Item in Expression 1 Is NULL3.1.12. Current Page = Expression 13.1.13. Current Page Is Contained Within Expression 1 (Comma Delimited List of Pages)3.1.14. User Is Authenticated (Not Public)3.1.15. User Is the Public User (User Has Not Authenticated)3.1.16. Current Language Is Contained Within Expression 13.1.17. Never3.2. Using Conditions Appropriately3.3. Authorization Schemes3.3.1. Creating an Authorization Scheme3.3.2. Protecting Your Resources3.3.3. To Cache or Not to Cache3.3.4. Resetting the Caching3.4. Summary
4. Data Security
4.1. URLs and Security4.1.1. Understanding the URL Syntax4.1.2. Manipulating the URL4.2. Session State Protection4.2.1. Enabling Session State Protection4.2.2. Configuring Session State Protection4.2.2.1. Page Access Protection4.2.2.2. Application Item Protection4.2.2.3. Page Data Entry Item Protection4.2.2.4. Page Display-Only Item Protection4.2.2.5. A Note About Bookmarks4.3. Virtual Private Database4.3.1. Implementing VPD4.3.1.1. Defining the Policy Function4.3.1.2. Closing the Loopholes4.3.2. Using Contexts with VPD4.3.2.1. Creating and Setting Application Contexts4.3.2.2. Using Application Contexts in an APEX Environment4.3.3. Using Advanced VPD Features4.3.3.1. Column-Level VPD Policy4.3.3.2. Column Masking4.3.3.3. A Note About Policy Function Types4.3.4. VPD Best Practices4.4. Auditing4.4.1. Enabling Auditing4.4.2. Viewing Audit Data4.5. Summary

5. Navigation and Layout
5.1. Tabs5.1.1. Understanding Tab States: Current and Noncurrent5.1.2. Using Standard Tabs5.1.3. Using Parent Tabs5.2. Navigation Bars5.2.1. Accessing Navigation Bar Entries5.2.2. Creating Navigation Bar Entries5.2.3. Performing an Action on the Current Page5.3. Breadcrumbs5.3.1. Accessing Breadcrumb Entries5.3.2. Using Dynamic Breadcrumb Entries5.3.3. Displaying Breadcrumbs5.4. Lists5.4.1. Accessing List Entries5.4.2. Creating a Menu Using a List5.4.3. Tracking Clicks on List Entries5.4.4. Using User-Defined Attributes for List Entries5.5. Trees5.5.1. Creating a Table for the Tree Entries5.5.2. Creating the Tree Component5.5.3. Enabling and Disabling Tree Entries5.6. Page Zero5.6.1. Creating Page Zero5.6.2. Adding Regions to Page Zero5.7. Layout5.7.1. Positioning Regions5.7.2. Positioning Page Items5.7.3. Drag-and-Drop Positioning5.8. Summary
6. Reports and Charts
6.1. Reports6.1.1. Report Headers6.1.1.1. Initial Capping6.1.1.2. Custom Headings6.1.1.3. Custom Headings via a PL/SQL Function6.1.2. Named Columns vs. Generic Columns6.1.2.1. Generic Columns6.1.2.2. Named Columns6.1.3. Report Pagination6.1.4. Break Formatting6.1.5. Column Formatting6.1.5.1. Number and Date Formatting6.1.5.2. CSS Classes6.1.5.3. Highlighted Words6.1.5.4. HTML Expressions6.1.6. Columns as Links6.2. Charts6.2.1. Chart Query Types6.2.1.1. Dial Chart Syntax6.2.1.2. Multiple Series Syntax (Flash Charts Only)6.2.1.3. Range Chart Syntax (Flash Charts Only)6.2.1.4. Candlestick Chart Syntax (Flash Charts Only)6.2.1.5. Gantt Charts6.2.1.6. Flash Maps6.2.2. HTML Charts6.2.3. Flash Charts6.2.3.1. Flash Maps6.2.3.2. Chart Localization6.2.3.3. Asynchronous Updates6.2.3.4. Multiple Series6.2.3.5. Flash Chart XML Customization6.2.4. Generic Charting6.2.4.1. Function to Return the SQL6.2.4.2. Pipelined Functions6.3. Summary
7. Dynamic Actions
7.1. Implementing a Dynamic Search7.2. Calling On Demand Processes7.2.1. Understanding Your Choices7.2.1.1. Creating a Dynamic Action7.3. Showing and Hiding Page Elements7.3.1. Showing and Hiding Fields Using Advanced Dynamic Actions7.3.2. Showing and Hiding Items Using Standard Dynamic Actions7.3.3. Ajax within APEX7.4. Summary
8. Websheets
8.1. Preparing for Websheet Development8.2. Building a Websheet Application8.3. Running a Websheet Application8.3.1. Logging In8.3.2. Building a Data Grid8.3.3. Using the Buglist Websheet8.3.4. Contributing Content to a Websheet8.4. Summary
9. Reporting and Printing
9.1. Choosing a Print Server9.2. Configuring APEX to Use a Print Server9.3. Printing Reports9.3.1. Enabling Printing for a Report9.3.2. Troubleshooting Print Problems9.3.3. Configuring Some Simple Print Options9.3.3.1. Choosing a Report Output Format9.3.3.2. Setting Page Attributes9.3.3.3. Selecting Columns9.3.3.4. Testing Print Settings9.4. Creating Custom Report Layouts with BI Publisher9.4.1. Installing the Client-Side Layout Tool9.4.2. Creating a New Report Layout9.4.2.1. Creating a New Query9.4.2.2. Downloading the XML Data or Schema9.4.2.3. Designing the Report Layout9.4.2.4. Testing the Report9.4.2.5. Showing the Search Criteria9.4.2.6. Highlighting Priority Items9.4.2.7. Saving the New Layout for Later Use9.4.3. Adding Graphics and Charts9.5. Generating Reports Through Apache FOP9.5.1. Installing Apache FOP9.5.2. Creating a New Layout Using XSL-FO9.5.2.1. Understanding the XSL-FO Code9.5.2.2. Formatting Report Headings9.5.2.3. Highlighting Priority Items9.5.3. Adding Graphics to a Report9.6. Summary
10. Themes and Templates
10.1. Themes10.1.1. Associating a Theme with an Application10.1.1.1. Copying a Theme10.1.1.2. Choosing a Prebuilt Theme10.1.2. Viewing Theme Details and Reports10.1.2.1. Application Templates Report10.1.2.2. Theme Template Counts Report10.1.2.3. File References Report10.1.2.4. Class References Report10.1.2.5. Template Substitution Strings Report10.1.3. Performing Theme Tasks10.1.4. Defining Theme Attributes10.1.4.1. Name10.1.4.2. Component Defaults10.1.4.3. Region Defaults10.1.4.4. Calendar Icon Details10.1.5. Switching Themes10.2. Templates10.2.1. Removing Unused Templates10.2.2. Viewing Template Information10.2.2.1. Templates Subtab: Template Lists, Previews, and Tasks10.2.2.1.1. Template Previews10.2.2.1.2. Template Tasks10.2.2.2. Utilization Subtab: Viewing Template References10.2.2.3. Subscriptions Subtab: Viewing Template Subscriptions10.2.2.4. History Subtab: Viewing Historical Changes10.2.3. Understanding Template Types and Classes10.2.4. Managing Template Files10.2.4.1. Images10.2.4.2. Cascading Style Sheets10.2.4.3. JavaScript Libraries10.2.4.4. Image, CSS, and JavaScript Storage10.2.4.5. Template Source10.2.5. Choosing a Template Type10.2.5.1. Breadcrumb Templates10.2.5.2. Button Templates10.2.5.3. Region Templates10.2.5.4. Label Templates10.2.5.5. List Templates10.2.5.6. Page Templates10.2.5.6.1. Page Header10.2.5.6.2. Page Body10.2.5.6.3. Page Tabs10.2.5.6.4. Error Page10.2.5.7. Report Templates10.2.5.7.1. Generic Column Templates10.2.5.7.2. Named Column Templates10.2.5.7.3. Pagination Template10.2.5.8. Popup List of Values Templates10.2.5.9. Calendar Templates10.2.5.10. Tree Templates10.3. Template Subscriptions10.3.1. Setting Up a Theme Subscription System10.3.2. Refreshing Subscriptions10.4. Tools for Working with Templates10.5. Summary
11. Localization Issues
11.1. Localizing Application Builder11.1.1. Choosing a Language11.1.2. Installing a Language File11.2. Localizing Your Applications11.2.1. A Simple Currency Example11.2.2. User-Dependent Localization11.2.3. NLS Parameters11.3. Fully Translating Your Applications11.3.1. Defining the Primary Application Language and Derived From Language11.3.2. Creating Translated Versions of an Application11.3.2.1. Mapping a Translation11.3.2.2. Seeding and Exporting the Translation Text11.3.2.3. Translating Text11.3.2.4. Applying Your Translation File and Publishing11.3.2.5. Testing the Translation11.3.3. Translating On the Fly11.3.4. Translating the Standard Messages11.4. Summary
12. Plug-ins
12.1. Creating Your First Plug-in12.1.1. Running the APEX Plug-in Builder12.1.2. Using Your New Plug-in12.1.3. Using Custom Attributes12.2. Exporting Plug-ins12.3. Importing Plug-ins12.4. Summary
13. Web Services
13.1. Creating a Native Database Web Service13.2. Creating a WSDL-based Web Service Reference in APEX13.3. Creating a RESTful Web Service13.4. Invoking an External Service13.5. Summary
14. Performance and Scalability
14.1. Diagnosing Performance Problems14.1.1. Viewing Application Reports14.1.1.1. Page Performance Reports14.1.1.2. Page Views by View Report14.1.1.3. Archived Log Timing Information14.1.1.4. Automated Statistic Threshold Notification14.1.2. Using Debug Mode14.1.3. Using SQL Tracing and TKProf14.1.3.1. Enabling SQL Tracing14.1.3.2. Finding the Trace Information14.1.3.3. Processing and Interpreting Trace Information14.1.4. Giving Timing Information to the Users14.2. Making Your Applications More Scalable14.2.1. Image Caching Revisited14.2.2. Page and Region Caching14.2.3. HTTP Compression14.2.3.1. Examining HTTP Headers14.2.3.2. Configuring mod_gzip14.2.3.3. Configuring mod_deflate14.2.3.4. Testing Compression14.2.3.5. Benchmarking Compression14.3. Summary
15. Production Issues
15.1. Managing URLs15.1.1. Using a Location Redirect15.1.2. Using Frames15.1.3. Using Apache mod_rewrite15.1.3.1. Adding Rewrite Rules15.1.3.2. Using Domains15.1.4. Proxying Requests15.2. Backing Up Applications15.2.1. Manual Exports15.2.2. Easy Backups the Database Way15.2.3. Automated Backups15.2.4. "As of" Backups15.3. Migrating Between Environments15.3.1. Upgrading Applications15.3.2. Cloning an Application15.3.2.1. Exporting the Workspace and Application15.3.2.2. Cloning Schema Objects and Data15.3.2.2.1. Using Scripts to Clone Schemas15.3.2.2.2. Using exp/imp to Clone Schemas15.3.2.2.3. Using Data Pump to Clone Schemas15.3.2.3. Closing the Loop: Setting Up the Workspace15.3.2.3.1. Importing with Application Builder15.3.2.3.2. Importing with SQL*Plus15.4. Summary
16. APEX Dictionary
16.1. Accessing the APEX Dictionary16.1.1. Using the Application Builder Interface16.1.2. Using the apex_dictionary View16.2. Uses for the APEX Dictionary16.2.1. Quality Assurance16.2.1.1. Checking Label Alignment16.2.1.2. Checking Maximum Widths16.2.1.3. Checking for Fields Without Help16.2.2. Self-Documentation16.2.2.1. Retrieving Page Comments16.2.2.2. Retrieving Page Branches16.2.2.3. Retrieving Modification Dates16.2.3. Automated Monitoring16.3. Using the API16.3.1. Adding Items to Your Pages16.3.2. Creating Text Fields Programmatically16.3.3. Generating Applications16.3.4. A Final Warning!16.4. Summary

Overview

Pro Oracle Application Express 4 is your key to mastering one of the most innovative products to come out Oracle in years. Application Express, termed APEX for short, is fast becoming one of the easiest and most widely-used of tools for creating enterprise-level applications that run against an Oracle database. APEX is easy enough for power users to create ad-hoc applications atop something more reliable than a spreadsheet. Yet APEX is powerful and extensible enough to enable fully-scalable, enterprise-level applications that are accessed by thousands of users.

Authors Tim Fox, John Scott, and Scott Spendolini take you to the professional level in developing for Application Express. They show how to handle user authentication in enterprise environments and how to extend APEX by writing components based upon Oracle's new plug-in architecture. You'll learn to deal with localization issues such as time zones and translations, and to customize the look and feel of an APEX website to blend in with your corporate branding strategy. The authors also cover web service development, performance and scalability, and the production issues that you encounter in enterprise-level deployments. Many years of experience in solving the "hard problems" are coalesced in this book to help you, the reader, take advantage of all that APEX has to offer.

Focuses on high-end, enterprise-level development
Covers new features such as plug-ins and Websheets
Introduces the new interface released with APEX 4.0

What you'll learn

Design APEX solutions that conform to your corporate look-and-feel
Create compelling reports, charts, navigation, and layout
Create your own components based upon APEX's new plug-in architecture
Authenticate users and manage their access to your applications
Develop and deploy web services using APEX
Scale APEX applications to thousands of users
Secure your applications and data from intrusion

Who this book is for

Pro Oracle Application Express 4 is aimed at application developers looking for a rapid application development environment harnessing the full power of the Oracle Database, including SQL and PL/SQL. The book meets the needs of developers working at both the departmental and the enterprise level, with an emphasis on high-end, enterprise deployment.

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