Oracle Web Applications: PL/SQL Developer's Intro

Improving Productivity

The final two packages, OWA_UTIL and OWA_SEC, let you perform a variety of administrative and security-related tasks that help improve overall productivity.

OWA_UTIL: Creating Complex HTML Structures

The OWA_UTIL package is a grab-bag of useful procedures and functions that simplify many complex tasks. It contains procedures to query the web server environment, simplify debugging, change the default HTTP header, and simplify HTML development.

Table 7.15 shows the various functions and procedures contained in the OWA_UTIL package, which are grouped in categories in the following sections according to their uses.

Note

I’ve attempted to classify the OWA_UTIL procedures into broad, general categories (debugging, querying the environment, representing dates, etc.). These classifications reflect my own experience and are not intended to limit other possible uses.

Table 7-15. Various OWA_UTIL Procedures and Functions

Procedure/Function	Description
BIND_VARIABLES	Creates complex HTML structures
CALENDARPRINT	Creates complex HTML structures
CELLSPRINT	Creates complex HTML structures
CHOOSE_DATE	Represents dates
DATETYPE	Represents dates
GET_CGI_ENV	Queries the environment
GET_OWA_SERVICE_PATH	Queries the environment
GET_PROCEDURE	Performs debugging
HTTP_HEADER_CLOSE	HTML and HTTP utilities
IP_ADDRESS	Queries the environment
LISTPRINT	Creates complex HTML structures
MIME_HEADER	HTML and HTTP utilities
PRINT_CGI_ENV	Queries the environment