The document provides an overview and hands-on guide for using Oracle Application Express (APEX). It describes the key components of APEX including the Application Builder, SQL Workshop, and Administration. The SQL Workshop component allows users to browse, create, and manage database objects using the Object Browser, run SQL commands, work with SQL scripts, and use the Query Builder. Step-by-step instructions are provided on creating a workspace and logging in, using the Object Browser to create tables and insert data, and running SQL queries using the SQL Commands component.
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Oracle APEX (Application Express)
Hands-On Guide I
Description:
BISP is committed to provide BEST learning material to the beginners and
advance learners. In the same series, we have prepared a complete end-to end
Hands-on Beginner’s Guide for Oracle APEX. The document focuses on basic
keywords, terminology and definitions one should know before starting Oracle
APEX. Join our professional training program and learn from experts.
History:
Version Description Change Author Publish Date
0.1 Initial Draft Shiva Kant Pandey 10th Jan 2013
0.1 Review#1 Amit Sharma 12th Jan 2013
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Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3
Components Of Oracle Apex :...........................................................................................................3
Advantage: .......................................................................................................................................5
SQL Workshop as a component of Oracle APEX ..............................................................................5
Creating a new Workspace & login inside it......................................................................................5
Working with component SQL Workshop : .....................................................................................12
[1] Working on Object Browser.......................................................................................................13
Creating a Table through Object Browser......................................................................................14
Creating lookup table....................................................................................................................20
[2] Working on SQL commands ......................................................................................................23
[3] working on SQL Scripts.............................................................................................................25
Create Tables Through Script.........................................................................................................26
Create Triggers Through Script ......................................................................................................30
[4] Working On Query Builder........................................................................................................39
[5] Working with Utilities................................................................................................................45
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Introduction
Oracle Apex: Oracle Application Express is a rapid Web application development tool that lets you
share data and create applications. Using only a Web browser and limited programming experience,
you can develop and deploy applications that are fast and secure.
Components Of Oracle Apex :
It has primarily three components these are :
Application Builder :It helps to build following applications
database applications
websheet applications
packaged applications etc.
SQL Workshop : It is used for the following purpose
Browse , create & edit database objects
Execute SQL and PL/ SQL statements
Upload & run SQL scripts
Export & import SQL scripts
Build & save queries using Query builder
Administration : It is used to perform the administrative tasks such as
Manage Service
Manage Users & Groups
Monitor activity
Manage Dashboards & reports
Background
One popular misconception is that Application Express is merely new version of Web DB. Mike
Hichwa created Web DB, a successful web front-end for Oracle, but the development of Web DB
started to move in a direction that diverged from Mike's vision. When tasked with building an
internal web calendar, Mike enlisted the help of Joel Kallman and started "Flows". They co-
developed the Web Calendar and Flows, adding features to Flows as they needed them to develop
the calendar. In the earliest days of Flows, there was no front-end for it, so all changes to an
application were made in SQL*Plus via inserts, updates and deletes. In some ways APEX is an
evolution of Web DB, but it was developed with new code and no upgrade path.
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History
Evolution of oracle application Express is described below in tabular form
Product
Name
Version Released Notes
HTML DB 1.5 2004 First release
HTML DB 1.6 2004 Added themes
HTML DB 2.0 2005 Added SQL Workshop
Application
Express
2.1
January
2006
HTMLDB was renamed to APEX. Version 2.1 of APEX was
bundled with the free Oracle Express Edition (XE) database.
Application
Express
2.2 2006 Packaged Applications
Application
Express
3.0 2007
This version featured several new features,
including PDF Printing, Flash charting and Access
Application Migration
Application
Express
3.0.1 July 2007
This version could also be installed into an Oracle XE
database.
Application
Express
3.1
Spring
2008
This included a new major feature known as Interactive
Reporting (enabled end-users to customize a report without
programmer intervention, using techniques such as filtering,
sorting, group-by, choosing displayed columns, etc. The
user can even save multiple versions of their customized
reports. The programmer can limit which features are
enabled). Also added support for BLOB data type
Application
Express
3.2 2009 Forms conversion
Application
Express
4.0 June 2010
Some notable features are declarative Dynamic Actions
(which allow reacting to changes on a page without the
developer having to write custom Java script) and Plugins
(which allow developers to create custom components such
as items, regions and processes, that can be re-used across
pages and applications). Also added Websheets and RESTful
Web
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Application
Express
4.1
August
2011
Notable new features included improved (customized) error
handling, use of ROWID for updates, a data upload feature
for end-users, and improved WebSheets (a hybrid of a
spreadsheet and a Wiki, built using Apex itself).
Application
Express
4.1.1
February
2012
Notable new features included new theme (cloudy) and
various templates.
Application
Express
4.2
October
2012
Notable new features such as application builder for mobile,
mobile and responsive themes, and HTML5 support.
Application
Express
4.2.1
December
2012
Bug Fixes.
Application
Express
4.2.2 April 2013
Bug Fixes, Improved PDF printing, new Survey Builder
packaged application
Advantage:
Fast growing technology
Web-based
Developers familiar with PL/SQL can use the same skill set when developing Apex
applications
Easy to create mock-ups
Easy to deploy (end user opens a URL to access an APEX application)
Scalable (can be deployed to laptops, stand-alone servers, or Oracle RAC installations)
Server-side processing and validations
Strong and supportive user community (especially Oracle APEX forum)
Basic support for group development
Free hosting of demo applications provided by Oracle
Apex applications can run on the free Oracle Express Edition (XE) database
Individual components of an application can be retrieved or identified using SQL
SQL Workshop as a component of Oracle APEX
Creating a new Workspace & login inside it.
Step 1: Open internet browser & write "http://localhost:8080/apex/apex_admin " into the URL
address bar & click Enter button to open Oracle Apex Admin login page .
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Step 4: Fill required fields to create new workspace
Workspace name = BISP
Work space ID = optional
Workspace = optional
Click Next
Step 5: Select schema
Re- use existing schema ? = Yes (if choosing existing schema else choose NO )
Choose Schema Name = HR
Click Next
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Step 6 : Fill the required fields
Administrator username = ADMIN
Administrator Password = oracle
First Name = abc
last name = optional
Email = abc@gmail.com
Click to Next
Step 7: Check confirm request & if everything is fine then click Create Workspace.
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Step 11:To login inside work space complete required blank fields
Workspace = BISP
Username ADMIN
Password = oracle
Click Login to application express
Step 12: The password for this account must be changed & hence
Enter current Password = oracle
Enter new password = #Oracle123
Confirm New Password = #Oracle123
Click on Apply Changes
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Step 13: Password Changed successfully now click on Return
Step 14: Enter New Password = #Oracle123 & then click Login to application Express
Step 15: Observe that we have successfully entered inside BISP work space & ready to work on
components .
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Working with component SQL Workshop :
Step 16: Created Workspace named BHEL & logged in inside workspace through it
Step 17:Click on SQL workshop to Create , edit & manage object of Oracle database 11g
Step 18: Now SQL Workspace is again further divided into following components:
Object Browser
SQL Commands
SQL Scripts
Utilities
Restful services
Now Click on Object Browser to manage database objects.
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[1] Working on Object Browser
Step 19: Inside object browser we can do two things either modify or create following objects inside
HR schema , So to Modify these objects click drop down menu located on left pane of the page &
select one of the following
1) Tables 2) Views 3) Indexes 4) Sequences 5) Types 6) Packages 7) Procedures 8) Functions
9) Triggers 10) Database Links 11)Materialized Views 12) Synonyms
Step 20: To Create these objects click drop down menu located on Right pane of the page & select
one of the following & start creating object inside schema :
1) Tables 2) Views 3) Indexes 4) Sequences 5) Types 6) Packages 7) Procedures 8) Functions
9) Triggers 10) Database Links 11)Materialized Views 12) Synonyms
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Creating a Table through Object Browser
Step 21: Click SQL Workshop ---> click on Object Browser
Step 22: Now this page will appear so see at the right pane of page & click on create then select
table to the drop down menu .
Step 23: Fill all the required field to create table inside HR schema
Table Name = Student
Preserve case = leave unchecked
Column Name Type Precision Scale
ROLL_ID NUMBER - 5
NAME VARCHAR2 - 50
EMAIL VARCHAR2 - 50
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CONTACT_NUM NUMBER - 10
DOB DATE - -
PHYSICS_MARKS NUMBER - -
CHEMISTRY_MARKS NUMBER - -
MATHS_MARKS NUMBER - -
TOTAL_MARKS_OBTAINED NUMBER - -
Click on Next
Step 24: Choose Not populated select ROLL_ID(NUMBER) as primary key then click NEXT
Step 25: On the constraint page put radio button on Check then click on Next
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Step 26: Now before creating table it requests to confirm all the details specially schema & table
name so after confirming details click on Create Table to create Student Table
Step 27: Successfully created Student Table into the HR schema & is visible on the left pane under
Tables inside Object browser.
So for a particular table we can view & modify following:
1) Table 2) Data 3) Indexes 4)Model 5)Constraints 6)Grants 7) Statistics 8) UI Defaults
9)Triggers 10) Dependencies 11) SQL
Now these parameters are again sub categorized for example Table consists sub elements are :
1) Add Column 2) Modify Column 3) Rename Column 4) Drop Column 5) Rename 6) Copy 7) Drop
8) Truncate 9)Create Lookup Table
Now click Data
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Step 28: Since Student Table is Newly created & hence it does not contains data so to insert data
into it click on Data --> Insert Row
Step 29: Fill all the required fields to create rows of data .
ROLL_ID = 01
Name = SHIVA PANDEY
EMAIL = shiva.pandey@bisptrainings.com
CONTACT_NUM = 9876543210
DOB =23/03/1988
PHYSICS_MARKS = 98
CHEMISTRY_MARKS=95
MATHS_MARKS = 92
TOTAL_MARKS_OBTAINED=285
Then click to Create
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Step 31: Two count Rows in a table click on Data --> Count Rows then it will display total number
of rows in a table for example in my case Student table contains number of rows equal to 2 &
hence Row Count = 2 .
Step 32: To drop a table click on Table ---> Drop , then follow the steps & drop your table
successfully .
Step 33: As we have created Student table we can also like wise create other objects by simply
clicking on Create button located at the right side of the page inside object browser .
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Creating lookup table
Step 34: Open SQL Workshop --> Object Browser --> Then on left side select Table --> Click on
EMPLOYEES then under Employees table click on Table then click Create Lookup Table to create
a new lookup table
Step 35: Select the column you would like to create a lookup table for. The selected column will
become foreign key to the lookup table
Schema =HR
Table name =Employees
Show = VARCHAR column Types
Column JOB_ID- varchar2
Click Next
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Step 36: Specify the new table you wish to create. This new table will store a normalized list of
values .
Schema =HR
Table name =Employees
Column to normalize = JOB_ID
New Table Name = JOB_ID_LOOKUP
New Sequence = JOB_ID_LOOKUP_SEQ
Click Next
Step 37: Click Finish
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Step 38: Now see that we have successfully created a new JOB_ID_LOOKUP table which is now
visible in the tables list s , so on clicking into JOB_ID_LOOKUP we can be able to see Table details .
This lookup table contains only two columns one for JOB_ID_ID as primary key & another for
JOB_ID .
Step 39: Now open SQL Workshop ---> SQL commands , & write query for look up table
Select * from job_id_lookup ;
Then click to RUN
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Step 40: Another way to view the data & detail of lookup table is to navigate through Object
Browser --> Select Tables --> JOB_ID_LOOKUP --> Click on Data , so from here we can observe
that JOB_ID_ID is in a sequence & is unique for every row that's why it is called primary key for
this table & foreign key for Employees table from where it is originated .
[2] Working on SQL commands
To run sql query for insert , update & retrieve data from oracle database , we have another sub
component called SQL commands & Oracle Apex made it feasible by integrating it on apex .
Step 41: Open SQL Workshop -> SQL Commands
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look this page will appear as shown below in snap
Step 42: Execute Select Query on Employees table inside SQL Command & click Run to obtain its
result .
select first_name from employees where first_name like 'E%'
Click RUN & also we have choice to save this query by clicking SAVE tab & can use it
anytime.
also select Number of rows want to retrieve
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Look result of executed select query i.e this employees table contains only three names starting
with 'E' & these are Ellen , Elizabeth , Eleni & Click on Download to download the retrieved data &
save it somewhere for future use .
Similarly another select query to query names starting with 'S'
select first_name from employees where first_name like 'S%'
Click RUN & also we have choice to save this query by clicking SAVE tab & can use it
anytime.
also select Number of rows want to retrieve
Result is shown below :
Likewise we can execute all queries on this SQL Command .
[3] working on SQL Scripts
Oracle apex provided facility to run SQL scripts through SQL Script
which is a sub component of SQL Workshop .
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Create Tables Through Script
Step 43: Open SQL Workshop ---> Click on SQL Scripts
Step 44: Click on Upload to upload create table script .
Step 45: Click on Choose File to choose create table script file which is located somewhere in the
system.
Step 46: Browse file & select V2_Teams_DB_CREATE file then click Open
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Step 49: A message prompt asking that you have requested to run the following script. Please
confirm your request so click Run Now .
Step 50: Click File shown below View Results
Step 51: Check that all statements Processed without error & click download to download detail.
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Step 52: Open Object Browser page by clicking into SQL Workshop --> Object Browser, then select
Tables from Top Down menu & observe that we have successfully imported tables into HR Schema
by simply uploading sql script file
Step 53:Also Created Sequence for various tables so Select Sequences & Click on ATTND_ID_SEQ
Now Check Details of Sequence .
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Create Triggers Through Script
Step 54: Open SQL Workshop ---> Click on SQL Scripts
Step 55: Click on Upload to upload Triggers script .
Step 56: Click on Choose File to choose Triggers script file which is located somewhere in the
system.
Step 57 : Browse file & select V2_Teams_TRIGGERS file then click Open
Step 58: Now look file is successfully uploaded & hence click on Upload Tab
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Step 59: Script uploaded message is now displayed .
Step 60: Click on Run icon shown inside indicated red box.
Step 61: A message prompt asking that you have requested to run the following script. Please
confirm your request so click Run Now .
Step 62: Click File shown below View Results
Step 63: Check that all statements Processed without error & click download to download detail.
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Step 66: List of Triggers are shown now Click on BI ATTENDANCES & Observe all Details of a
selected Trigger.
Step 67: Also check that Students Table have no Data so inserting of data can be done through
two ways :
Insert data one by one by clicking Insert Rows from Sub menu of Data
Inserting Data by uploading script
So i am going to upload data through script into Students table.
Step 68: Click on Upload to upload data insert script .
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Step 69: Click on Choose File to choose data Insert script file which is located somewhere in the
system.
Step 70: Browse file & select V2_Teams_DB_INSERT file then click Open
Step 71 : Now look file is successfully uploaded & hence click on Upload Tab
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Step 72: Script uploaded message is now displayed .
Step 73: Click on Run icon shown inside indicated red box.
Step 74: A message prompt asking that you have requested to run the following script. Please
confirm your request so click Run Now .
Step 75: Click on File shown below the View Results
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Step 76: Check that all statements Processed without error & click download to download detail.
Step 77: To check whether data inserted through script is came into Students table , therefore
Click Data tab from students table . Data is successfully inserted
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Step 80: Constraints contains Sub elements Create , Drop , Enable & Disable.
Basically this student table contains one primary key & one foreign key as shown by red boxes .
Now to create a new constraint (unique key) click on Create
Step 81: Add Constraints
Constraint Name =UNQ_STDUSERID
Constraint Type = Unique
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Unique Column1 =STDUSERID(VARCHAR2)
Then Click to Next
Step 82: Click on Finish
Step 83: Open Sql workshop --> Object Browser --> Select Tables --> Students --> Constraints
Now check here we have successfully created a unique id .
[4] Working On Query Builder
We can build queries with the help of query builder which is provided by Oracle Apex.
Step 84: Open SQL Workshop ---> Click on Query Builder to open it .
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Step 85: Click on DEPARTMENTS table & it will be available at the query builder space then select
the columns which you want to retrieve through query by checking these boxes .& click Run
Step 86: See the Result & click on SQL tab
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Step 87: Since we have build Query successfully then next step is to save it for future use .So click
Save tab .
Step 88: Give Name = department_sql & click to SAVE
It will immediately display Detail of saved SQL query build into query builder , for example
Owner , Name ,Description ,Updated by , Updated which is shown by the red box
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Step 89: Open SQL Commands by clicking on SQL Workshop --> SQL commands
Step 90: Click on Saved SQL to run the saved query build into query builder.
Step 91: On clicking Saved SQL it will display all the saved queries so choose one which likely
going to execute . For example click on department _sql
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Step 94 : To build complex query in which various tables are involved click on Employees table ,
JOBs table , JOB HISTORY table & make relation between these tables so check mark the boxes
like JOB_ID , MIN_SALARY , MAX_SALARY from JOBS table & START_DATE , END_DATE from
JOB_HISTOY & FIRST_NAME , LAST_NAME from EMPLOYEES table & CLICK to Run
Step 95: Click on Results to see the retrieved data.
Step 96: Click on SQL to see build SQL Query , now see we have successfully build complex query
through Query Builider
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Step 97: Click On Save tab to save build Query .
Step 98: It will prompt for Save SQL so provide the required details
Name = DEMO1
Description = Optional
Click to Save
Step 99:
Now Query is saved with the Name Demo1 so whenever we need to execute such query use Demo1
[5] Working with Utilities
Oracle Apex Provided us a component known as Utilities which further consists of sub components
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Query Builder ,Data Workshop , Generate DDL , Methods on Table , User Interface Defaults
,Schema comparison, Object Reports , Recycle Bin . So these sub components performs various
tasks so in this document we will work only on Data Workshop .
Step 102: Open SQL Workshop ---> Utilities
Step 100: Look at the Various Utilities & Click on Data Workshop to open it
Step 101: So from data workshop we can Load , Unload data & manage Repository so click on Text
Data
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Step 102: Since we have already created table through script now we have only to load data inside
Projects table , so to load data into existing account table choose radio button on Existing table also
choose Load From Upload file then click Next .
Step 103:Select the database schema and name of the table you would like to load data into
Table Owner = HR
Table Name = PROJECTS
Click Next
Step 104: Click on Choose File Then click on Next.
Step 105: Choose Project Data file from your system & then click to Open
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Step 107: This page preview how your data will be loaded . match database column names with
column in the data . So choose PROJ_NAME in first column & PROJ_CLIENT into second column
then click to Next
Now data imported & hence it is showing Text Data Load Repository
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Step 108: Open SQL Workshop ---> Object Browser ---> Tables ---> Projects---> Data . Observe
that
table is containing imported data & hence we have successfully loaded data into Projects table
through utilities , in a similar way we can unload tables from schema by using utilities .