Comparison between OAF & ADF

1. Contents
 Architecture Comparison
OAF – Salient Features
ADF – Salient Features
Technology Stack Comparison
Technology Layers Comparison
UI Features Comparison
Other Features Comparison
ADF Application/Project Development Process
OAF Application/Project Development Process
Projects/Directory Structures Comparison
Learning Road Map

2. Architecture Comparison (Both are based on MVC)
OAF ADF

3. OAF – Salient Features
OAF is a model-view-controller technology stack that is fully oriented towards E-Business Suite application
development.
The OAF stack is comprised of underlying technologies like UIX and BC4J, that respectively form the core of
the view and model layers.
It includes Application Object Library (AOL) that provides common E-Business Suite artifacts such as menus,
functions, messages, profiles, flex-fields and attachments, and common services like function and data security.
MDS is used for metadata management.

4. ADF – Salient Features
Oracle ADF is a commercial Java framework for building enterprise applications
ADF is an end-to-end application framework that builds on Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE)
standards and open-source technologies. It is based on MVC architecture.
Oracle ADF can be used to implement enterprise solutions that search, display, create, modify, and
validate data using web, wireless, desktop, or web services interfaces.
Because of its declarative nature, Oracle ADF simplifies and accelerates development by allowing
users to focus on the logic of application creation rather than coding details.

5. Technology Stack Comparison
MVC Stack OAF ADF
View UIX + EBS-specific
extensions
ADF Faces ( Consists of 150 Ajax-
enabled Java Server Faces (JSF)
components)
Model BC4J + EBS-specific
Extensions
ADF-Model + ADF-Business
Components (BC4J)
Controller OAF Controller ADF Controller (It provides
enhanced navigation and state
management model on top of
JSF's controller layer)

6. Technology Layers Comparison
Technology Layers OAF ADF
MDS Yes Yes
JDeveloper Yes Yes
AOL ( EBS Application Object Library) Yes No

7. UI Features Comparison
UI Features OAF ADF
Look and Feel Swan look and feel Oracle Desktop /
Browser look and feel
(BLAF)
Rich Client Interface No No
Partial Page rendering Yes Yes
List of Values –
validation, autocomplete
Yes Yes
Transactional Search Yes (Use Query Bean) Yes (ADF Query Panel from Data
Controls)
Data Export Yes Yes (Export Collection Listener in
ADF table)
Rich Text Editor Yes Yes

8. Other Features Comparison
OAF ADF
Business Layers
Exposing BC4J components as web services Yes Yes
PL/SQL DML
operation support
Yes Yes
WHO column support Yes No
Workflow
Oracle Workflow
integration
Yes No
BPEL integration No Yes

9. OAF Application/Project Development Process
I
• Create application workspace
II
• Implement declarative BC4J AM
III
• Create declarative EO, EO Association, VO,
VL
IV
• Create Menu for app
V
• Create OA UI components
VI •Create CO
VII
•Implement AM Code (If needed)
VIII •Implement EO, VO Business Logic (If needed)
IX •Test the application
X •Deploy the application

10. ADF Application/Project Development Process
I
•Create application workspace
II
•Model DB Objects
III
•Create use Cases
IV
•Design app control & Navigation
V
•Identify Shared Resources
VI
•Create business components to access data
VII
• Implement the user interface with JSF
VIII
• Bind UI components to data using ADF Model
IX • Incorporate validation and error handling
X • Secure the application
XI • Test the application
XII
• Deploy the application

11. Projects/Directory Structures Comparison
OAF ADF

12. ADF Learning Road Map
(How would you bridge the learning Gap and what would you consider key skillset to work upon to get there. )
1. Brush up Java skills, Java EE Architecture & get familiar with Jdeveloper 12C IDE.
2. Complete tutorials from the below links covering the below topics:
 Develop rich web application using ADF.
 Develop web application using EJB, JPA, and Java Server Faces
 ADF Faces (Develop UI with ADF Faces Rich Client Components)
 ADF Controller (Bounded Task Flows, Regions and Routers)
 ADF Binding (Use Bean Control data)
 ADFDI (Develop Excel sheets that integrate with ADF)
https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E53569_01/tutorials/toc.htm
3. Watch below videos:
 ADF Insider Basics, Essentials & Advanced (11g)
https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/developer-tools/adf/adf-insider.html#Basics
https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/developer-tools/adf/adf-insider.html#Essentials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON5AGc24DSc&list=PLbbJy7LxchQPWxd5p0YUqks5KCP-aPIEL&index=14
Other playlists:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTIt_rFgJTircZoQvUuMcEaN6AKlOqfE2, & Firebox training on Youtube (11g version)