Oracle and PL/SQL Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach

5-5. Altering the Functionality of Applications

Problem

You want to modify a third-party application, but you are not in a position to change the source code. Either you are not allowed to change the source or you simply do not have access to make changes.

As an example, let's consider a form in one application used to create jobs within the JOBS table. You want to enhance the application so that mail is sent to all the administrative staff members when a new job is created. However, your company does not own the license to modify the source code of the application.

Solution

You can often use triggers to add functionality to an application behind the scenes, without modifying application code. Sometimes you have to think creatively, to come up ...