Oracle Forms Developers Handbook

Oracle Forms Developers Handbook

Product Description A reference guide for those who use Oracle Forms to build database systems. Offers complete coverage of the Oracle Forms 6i and walks step by step through building several high-performance Web and client/server applications. Focus is on how modern application development concepts, such as client/server computing and object-oriented programming, are applied in the Oracle Forms environment. Lulushi is an Oracle developer and founder of a consulting firm. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) From the Inside Flap 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 Developers 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 Developers 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 Oracles 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 Microsofts COM-based technologies, including OLE Documents, Automation, and ActiveX controls. I also cover here the implementation of user exi