February 2019 Oracle Forms Review 3 Oracle Forms Current Standing 4 Very stable product still being developed Best suited for heavyduty back office applications Can integrate with desktop tools ID: 909125
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Slide2Modernizing Oracle Forms using Oracle APEX
February 2019
Slide3Oracle Forms
Review
3
Slide4Oracle Forms Current Standing
4
Very stable product, still being developed
Best suited for heavy-duty, back office applications
Can integrate with desktop tools
Continues to be fully supported by Oracle
Highly productive for “Power Users”
Slide5Oracle Forms Issues
5
Browser support (can utilize Java Web Start)
Difficult to find skilled Oracle Forms developers
Often hard-to-use, non-intuitive runtime user experience
Non-responsive = Not suitable for mobile devices
Takes significant time for end users to become productive
Slide6Should you Modernize?
Are you on a supported version?
Is Forms meeting all requirements?
Stay on Oracle Forms
Yes
Yes
No
No
Can you easily upgrade?
Yes
Are they net new requirements?
Keep Oracle Forms +
Build new apps in APEX
Yes
Modernize Forms
Using APEX
No
No
Slide7Key Reasons to Modernize
Need modern, responsive user interface running on any device
Need simplified UX as extending to corporate-wide
Major functionality needs to be redeveloped
Need solution for external use (such as customers / partners)
Unable to maintain / enhance existing Forms apps
Slide8Oracle APEX
The Best “Proven” Alternative
8
Slide9Oracle APEX Similarities
9
Primarily code in
SQL
and
PL/SQL
Low-code, declarative platform
Can very easily integrate Oracle packages, functions, procedures
Database-centric development
Can fully utilize Oracle Database features
Slide10Oracle APEX Differences
10
Oracle Forms
Oracle APEX
Requires full WebLogic Server
Requires Oracle REST Data Services
Requires browser plug-ins or Java Web Start
Any modern web browser
Generates files
Metadata based
Suitable for desktops only
Runs on any device (zero development effort)
Difficult to style
Out of the box theming and theme styles
Slide11Oracle APEX Advantages
11
Easy to train Forms Developers as key similarities
Can readily co-exist with Oracle Forms
Flexibility in platform for development / deployment
Re-use all existing Database objects
Rapid, low-code, beautiful, intuitive, responsive app dev
No additional licensing cost
APEX Community and Partners
Slide12Considerations
Upfront Planning
12
Slide13Key Points
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Modernization is non-trivial
New apps should be modern and intuitive not mimic Forms
The new APEX applications will look and behave differently
Requires significant investment in time and resources
Should modernize business processes not just screens
Slide14Before you Start
14
Push as much business logic into the Database as possible
Review how APEX Consulting Companies may add value
Train developers in APEX
Identify a suitable functional area as Proof-of-Concept
Secure SMEs for functional input and reviews
Slide15Challenges
15
Availability of Forms developers who know the functionality
Managing scope creep
Ensuring new apps implement appropriate business rules
Getting buy-in from existing “Power Users”
Agreeing on new application look and feel
Slide16Modernization Steps
How to move to Oracle APEX
16
Slide17Overall Strategy
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Install APEX into Oracle Database
Load XML into APEX Migration Project
Annotate important business logic
Convert Forms executables (FMBs, MMBs,
etc
) into XML
Create APEX application(s)
Slide18Converting Forms Source to XML
18
Use Forms2XML Command Line Utility
- Available with Forms 9i and above
OR
Forms > Convert
- Available with Forms 12c and above
May convert older Forms versions
such as Forms 6i and 4.x
- If fails will need to upgrade Forms first
Slide191
2
3
4
5
Creating APEX Application(s)
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Use Create App Wizard for “First-Cut”
Use Create Page Wizard to add additional pages
Review with key stakeholders
Enhance pages based on annotations
Iterate and repeat from step 2
Slide20Practicing a Migration
In order to play with the Oracle APEX Migration Project using a few Oracle Forms you can download the sample files below. Using the XML files you can upload them into a project and then review the trigger logic and annotate as necessary. After running the DDL script and inserting the data you can readily generate a simple application.
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/apex/application-express/apex-forms-conversion-sample-files-5654921.zip
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Slide21Useful Links
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Primary Site
https://apex.oracle.com
APEX Forms Modernization
https://apex.oracle.com/en/solutions/oracle-forms/
APEX Shortcuts
https://apex.oracle.com/shortcuts
APEX Community
https://apex.oracle.com/community
Database Cloud Services
https://cloud.oracle.com/database
Oracle Learning Library
https://www.oracle.com/oll
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