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Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook
- By Albert Lulushi
- Published Dec 11, 2000 by Pearson.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
About
Features
- Step-by-step instructions for how to use all of the tools available in the Forms environment—Including the Forms Designer, Object Navigator, and the Layout Editor.
- Use of PL/SQL, Oracle's unified programming language—Covered in Forms applications.
- All the methods and objects available to the Forms programmer—Described in detail.
- The text explains how to apply object-oriented programming practices to Forms development—Including inheritance, reusability, encapsulation, and polymorphism.
- How to develop client/server applications with Forms.
- Latest release of Oracle Forms, version 6i.
Description
- Copyright 2001
- Dimensions: K
- Pages: 1008
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-13-030754-8
- ISBN-13: 978-0-13-030754-5
The Definitive Developer's Guide to Oracle Forms 6i.
- Web and client/server development-in depth!
- Build industrial-strength applications one step at a time
- Includes tutorial on SQL and PL/SQL(tm)
- Step-by-step instructions to all Forms tools
Web and client/server development with Oracle Forms 6i: the definitive guide!
Whether you're building Web or client/server applications, Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook delivers the real-world techniques and industrial-strength code you need to achieve outstanding results. Best-selling author Albert Lulushi offers start-to-finish coverage of the Oracle Forms 6i, and walks you step-by-step through building several complete, elegant, high-performance Web and client/server applications. You'll discover how to:
- Make the most of every Oracle Forms tool and component
- Use SQL and PL/SQL(tm) effectively in Oracle Forms applications
- Master rapid object-oriented Oracle Forms development
- Leverage Oracle 8/8i object-relational capabilities
- Build GUIs that deliver breakthrough ease-of-use
- Create integrated Developer/2000 applications
- Access the full power of Windows(r) via COM, ActiveX, and OLE support
From project management through object-oriented analysis and design, coding to debugging, it's covered here—with unprecedented depth, clarity, and practical insight. To build the best Oracle Forms applications, learn from the best book: Albert Lulushi's Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook.
Sample Content
Downloadable Sample Chapter
Click here for a sample chapter for this book: 0130307548.pdf
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPER/2000 FORMS.
1. Developing the First Form.The Equipment Tracking System. Creating the First Form. The Object Navigator. Creating a Data Block with the Data Block Wizard. The Layout Wizard. Adding a Detail Block. Compiling the Module. Summary.
2. Running the First Form.Running Modules Within the Form Builder. Developer/2000 Forms Runtime Window. Querying the Database. Normal Mode and Query Mode. Manipulating the Database. Transactions in Developer/2000 Forms. Multi-User Applications and Record Locking. What Is Missing in ETS? Summary.
3. Enhancing the First Form.Transforming the Form into a Tabbed Layout. Arranging Items in the Layout Editor. Enhancing the GUI Interface. Adding Calculated Items. Enhancing the Functionality of Applications with PL/SQL Code. Deploying the ETS Application. What Is the Rest of the Book About? Summary.
II. FORMS DEVELOPER TOOLBOX.
4. Oracle Developer Form Builder.Overview of Oracle Developer. Components of Oracle Developer. Overview of the Form Builder. Working with Modules. Storing Modules in the Database. Summary.
5. Object Navigator.Accessing the Object Navigator. Components of Object Navigator. Form Builder Object Types and Object Instances. Getting Around Object Navigator. Manipulating Objects in Object Navigator. Different Views of Objects in Object Navigator. Customizing the Object Navigator. Summary.
6. Layout Editor.Accessing the Layout Editor. Components of the Layout Editor. Working with Objects in Layout Editor. Setting Visual Attributes in the Layout Editor. Customizing the Layout Editor. Customizing Color Palettes. Summary.
7. Property Palette, Menu Editor, and Object Editor.The Property Palette. Components of Property Palettes. Using the Property Palette. The Menu Editor. Components of Menu Editor. Using the Menu Editor. The Library Editor. Components of the Library Editor. Using the Library Editor. Summary.
8. RAD and Object Reusability.Overview of Rapid Application Development. Object Reuse in Oracle Developer. Object Groups. Property Classes. Visual Attribute Groups. Practical Examples. Oracle Designer Reusable Components. Summary.
9. Introduction to SQL.Brief History of SQL Language. Movie Rental Database. Categories of SQL Commands. Data Retrieval with SELECT. Expanding Queries with Set Operations. Data Manipulation Language Commands. SQL Functions. DUAL Table. Summary.
10. Introduction to PL/SQL.Overview of PL/SQL. Procedural Constructs of PL/SQL. Data Types and Variables. Cursors in PL/SQL. PL/SQL Program Units. Exception Handling. PL/SQL in Form Builder. The PL/SQL Editor. Summary.
11. Object-Relational Oracle8 and PL/SQL.Overview of the Object-Relational Technology. Object Types and Object Instances. Storing Objects in the Oracle8 Database. Collections. Summary.
III. DEVELOPER FORMS OBJECTS.
12. Object-Oriented Analysis and Design.Movie Rental Database Problem Restated. Object-Oriented Terminology. Structured Design versus Object-Oriented Design. Designing the MRD Application. User Interface Design and Conventions. Summary.
13. Data Blocks, Frames, and Relations.Types of Blocks. Creating and Maintaining Data Blocks. Defining and Maintaining the Layout of Blocks. Maintaining Block Properties in the Form Builder. Maintaining Block Properties Programmatically. Frames. Relations. Blocks and Relations for the MRD Application. Summary.
14. Items and Data Items.Types of Items. Creating Items. Generic Properties of Items. Setting Properties of Items at Runtime. Validation of Items. Text Items and Display Items. Calculated Items. Events of Text Items. GUI Guidelines for Data Items. Data Items in the MRD Application. Summary.
15. GUI Control Items.Push Buttons. Radio Groups and Radio Buttons. Check Boxes. List Boxes. GUI Guidelines for Controls. Controls in the MRD Application. Summary.
16. Windows, Canvases, and Dialog Boxes.Properties of Windows. Developing MDI Applications with Form Builder. Alerts. Canvases. Canvas Use Cases. Windows and Dialog Boxes in the MRD Application. Summary.
17. Record Structures and Other Objects.Records in Form Builder Applications. Record Groups. Lists of Values. Text Editors. Parameters and Parameter Lists. Summary.
18. Menus and Toolbars.Form Builder Menus. Toolbars. Pop-up Menus. Summary.
19. PL/SQL Objects.Events and Triggers in Form Builder Applications. PL/SQL Libraries. Creating a Package for the MRD Application. Stored Program Units and Database Triggers. Oracle Designer Server API. Summary.
IV. BUILDING INTEGRATED DEVELOPER APPLICATIONS.
20. Debugging.Accessing the Debugger. Components of the Debugger. Managing Debug Actions. Forms Runtime Diagnostics (FRD). Summary.
21. Creating Integrated Developer Applications.Creating Multiple-Form Applications. Integrating Tools with RUN_PRODUCT. Integrating Form Builder with Report Builder. Integrating Form Builder with Graphic Builder. Summary.
22. Developer Reusable Components.Overview of Developer Controls. Calendar Control. Hierarchy Browser Control. Wizard Control. Summary.
23. Managing Developer Projects.Overview of the Project Builder. Managing Projects with the Project Builder. Customizing the Project Builder. Delivering Projects. Summary.
24. Developer Forms for the Web.What Is the Network Computing Architecture? Developer Forms' Three-Tier Architecture. Implementing Developer Forms on the Web. Special Considerations for Deploying Developer Forms on the Web. Summary.
25. Creating Forms with Designer.Modules in Designer. Structure of Modules. Working with Modules. Creating and Maintaining Module Elements. Module Wizards. Reusable Components. Summary.
26. Generating Designer Modules.Repository-Based Software Development. Maintaining Preferences. Object Class Libraries. Generator Templates. Designer Front-End Generators. Summary.
V. EXTENDING DEVELOPER APPLICATIONS WITH MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGIES.
27. Dynamic Data Exchange.What Is DDE? DDE in Developer Tols. Examples of DDE with Form Builder. Summary.
28. COM-Based Technologies.What Is COM? OLE Documents Technology. In-Place Activation of Embedded Objects. Linking Objects in Form Builder. Linking and Embedding in the Layout Editor. Manipulating Compound Documents Programmatically. Summary.
29. Automation and ActiveX Controls.Automation. Automation in Form Builder. Software Components. ActiveX Controls. Summary.
30. Foreign Function Interface.Types of Foreign Functions. Sample Foreign Functions. User Exit Interface. PL/SQL Foreign Function Interface. Summary.
Index.Preface
Preface
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. It also focuses on how modern application development concepts, such as client/server computing and object-oriented programming, are applied in the Oracle Forms environment.
Organization of the Book
Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook is divided into five parts. They can be read sequentially or independently, depending on the your familiarity with Oracle Forms. The following paragraphs describe these parts:
- Part One. This part introduces readers to Oracle Forms programming. Following the detailed instructions provided in this part, you build and run your first form. In the process, I present important concepts of Form Builder and Runtime environments. At the end of this part, you will have completed the first form and become familiar with terms and concepts that will be encountered throughout the rest of the book.
- Part Two. This part equips you with the necessary tools to create, design and enhance forms. It begins with an overview of Oracle Developer suite and then focuses on the Form Builder and its components: Object Navigator, Layout Editor, Property Palette, Menu Editor, Object Library Editor and PL/SQL Editor. Separate chapters discuss the purpose, access methods, components and usage of each tool. Rapid Application Development (RAD) and object reusability with Oracle Forms are also covered in this part. The final three chapters discuss the elements of the Standard Query Language (SQL) used in Oracle applications, the Oracle's own programming language—PL/SQL—as well as object-relational features introduced by Oracle8 that affect Oracle Forms programming.
- Part Three. 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.
- Part Four. 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 Developer 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.
- Part Five. This part focuses on 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 Oracle Developer applications' functionality using the PL/SQL interface to foreign functions.
Audience
Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook is intended primarily for software engineers whose mission is to create database applications for the Oracle DBMS. As such, this book addresses the needs of this group of IT professionals. Because of the way the material is organized, the book can be used by application developers at all levels of proficiency.
The first part is for newcomers to the Oracle Forms environment. This part explains important Form Builder and Runtime concepts, which benefit not just the beginner, but also end-users of Oracle applications.
The second part addresses the needs of intermediate programmers who do not have a vast experience with Oracle Forms. The chapters in this part are organized to serve as reference materials for the main components of the Form Builder, where most of the development activities occur.
The third part explains fundamental concepts that every serious Oracle Forms developer should know and master. The material covered in this part is for programmers dedicated to creating applications conforming with object-oriented principles, Multiple-Document Interface (MDI) paradigm and well-established GUI principles.
The last two parts of the book provide information for advanced programmers who go the extra mile to deliver integrated and user-friendly applications. The focus in Part Four is the integration of Oracle Forms modules with others Oracle design and development tools—Oracle Designer, Oracle Developer tools, and Oracle Developer reusable components. Part Five targets developers familiar with Microsoft Windows programming techniques and shows them how to integrate them in the Form Builder environment.
Here is a list of the most important benefits this book offers to you:
- Clear and concise explanation of all the features of Oracle Forms.
- Presentation of important aspects of Oracle Forms programming in the context of building Oracle-based enterprise applications.
- Gradual introduction of concepts and techniques that allows readers to build on their existing knowledge and increase their Oracle Forms proficiency level.
- Detailed instructions on how to perform the major development activities in Oracle Forms.
- A number of hands-on activities that allow readers to apply the concepts discussed in the book.
- A companion software downloadable from the Internet that contains all the software modules discussed in the book. The software provides readers with a chance to execute these modules and explore for themselves the code segments that implement the features discussed in the book.
The Companion Software
Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook is first and foremost a hands-on guide to application development with Oracle Forms, and you should read it as such. I strongly urge you to follow the discussion of different topics in the book by performing the activities with one or more application systems in your environment. In order to help you with these activities, I have provided a number of Oracle Forms modules that you can use in your environment. These modules will enable you to follow the discussion of different topics in the book by performing the activities described there. These software assets are very important because they allow you to start from any chapter in the book and follow the hands-on activities discussed in that chapter. They also serve as reference items that can be used to explore the implementation of the features discussed in the book. Oracle Developer version 6 was used to produce the application systems and record the movies.
The software provided is configured for Microsoft Windows operating systems. You can browse the contents by using your Web browser. Simply point to the file D2KFORMS.HTM on the root directory and then follow the hyperlinks to different assets provided. For questions, comments, or an updated list of contents, point your Web browser at http://www.belacorp.com/OracleForms.
The software items provided are organized by chapters of the book. At the end of each chapter there is a list of software assets discussed in that chapter as well as instructions on how to access these assets. The following is a list of the applications covered in the book that you will find in the companion software:
- Equipment Tracking System application. This is the application discussed in Chapters 1, 2, and 3.
- Movie Rental Database objects. These are tables you can use to test the SQL statements discussed in Part Two.
- MRD application. This is the application system developed throughout Part 3 and, partly, in Part 4.
- Form Builder modules integrated with Oracle Developer reusable components. These are the modules discussed in chapter 22 in which I have integrated Oracle Developer reusable controls, such as a calendar, hierarchy navigator, wizard dialog box, and so on to your Forms applications.
- Form Builder modules implementing DDE. These are the modules discussed in chapter 26 that allow you to integrate Form Builder with Microsoft Excel, Word and Program Manager through Dynamic Data Exchange.
- Form Builder modules implementing COM-based technologies. These are the modules discussed in chapters 27 and 28 implement OLE documents, Automation, and ActiveX controls in the Form Builder environment.
Installing the Database Objects
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 folder Software\SQL of the companion software. The instructions to run these commands are provided online as part of the assets of the companion software.
Questions and Comments
I welcome any questions or comments you may have about Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook. You can email them at albert.lulushi@belacorp.com. I strongly suggest that you periodically visit URL http://www.belacorp.com/OracleForms. There you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Oracle Forms Developer's Handbook, as well as a list of updated software assets as they become available.