Oracle Forms

Oracle Forms Background

Oracle Forms is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool designed for creating data entry systems that interact with Oracle Database objects using PL/SQL. Originally launched as a standalone product, it is now a component of Oracle Fusion Middleware.

The origins of Oracle Forms date back to 1981 when it was first released under the name Interactive Application Facility (IAF), alongside the second iteration of the Oracle Database. It was later rebranded as FastForms, then SQL*Forms, before adopting its current name with version 4.0. The earliest versions consisted of little more than a compiler and a runtime interpreter, but the tool quickly evolved into a more robust solution.

Oracle Forms gained popularity due to its relative simplicity. Developers with basic SQL and PL/SQL knowledge could easily create Oracle Forms applications. Much of the development work centered around modifying “triggers”—event-handling functions designed to create specific actions, like opening a new form when a button is clicked. This approach allowed for minimal manual coding. Additionally, developers could customize layouts using object libraries, making Oracle Forms versatile and accessible.

The tool also integrated seamlessly with other Oracle solutions, including:

• Oracle Designer: A CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tool integrated with Oracle Forms Developer, which streamlined the design and delivery of scale
• able client/server systems. Although Oracle Designer reached its end of life in 2018, it was widely used in the mid-1990s and 2000s.
• Headstart for Oracle Designer: An extension for Oracle Designer that added templates, PL/SQL libraries, and other components to accelerate development while adhering to Oracle’s Custom Development Methodology (CDM).

Oracle Forms continued to evolve, with the latest major release, Oracle Forms 12c, debuting in October 2015 as part of Fusion Middleware 12c. Since then, it has received regular updates, and the latest version (12.2.1.19.0) was released in September 2023.

Oracle Forms: Future Planning

According to Oracle’s Statement of Direction, the company has no immediate plans to discontinue Oracle Forms entirely. However, the level of support provided is gradually diminishing.

As per the Oracle Lifetime Support Policy, Premier Support for Fusion Middleware 12c (including Oracle Forms 12c) will end in December 2026, with Extended Support continuing until December 2027.

Despite this, Oracle Forms is no longer a future-proof technology. It lacks many features essential for modern web applications and cannot meet the demands of cutting-edge, acclerated development.

Additionally, finding skilled Oracle Forms developers has become increasingly difficult, as newer generations of programmers replace the old skill sets with modern front-end development languages and tools.

Why Migrate to Modern Front End Solutions?

If your Business Applications rely on Oracle Forms, it’s time to start planning a migration to ensure your systems remain stable, reliable, and aligned with current technological standards.

What are the alternatives to Oracle Apex? There are several options, but in this content piece, we’ll focus on Java-based front-end solutions.

Oracle APEX—Oracle Forms’ natural successor

Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a web-based low code tool designed for developing data-centric applications. It’s also a free option, as it is included with all Oracle Database editions and Oracle Autonomous Database services.

As an extension of the SQL language syntax, PL/SQL developers can quickly learn how to develop web applications using APEX. Additionally, the tool provides many features that make it attractive for business users:

• Rapid application development: With declarative components like page creation wizards and built-in templates, developers can quickly create professional-looking web applications.
• Easy integration with Oracle Database: APEX leverages native database features and simplifies interaction with the database, eliminating the need for manual coding.
• Strong security model: With built-in user authentication and authorization capabilities, APEX ensures that data remains secure.

Angular

Angular is a front-end development framework, which is most popular among developers. It’s entirely built on Typescript and widely used for building single-page applications (SPAs). Angular also provides many features that make it a compelling choice for modern front-end development. Some of these include:

• Powerful data binding: Data binding in Angular saves developers from writing boilerplate code, allowing them to focus on business logic.
• Component-based architecture: This architecture allows for flexibility and reusability, making it easier to maintain and update applications.
• Built-in testing capabilities: Angular has built-in testing tools that enable developers to write automated tests for their applications, ensuring high-quality code.
• Database Change – Angular enables organisations to move away from Oracle Apex and also the Oracle Database as this can be converted to PostgreSQL, MySQL or other no-SQL databases that are open source. This offers a significant cost saving.
• Resources – One of the major advantages of Angular is that it has an extensive developer base and active community. So, developers can get help quickly for any issues they face.
• Total Cost of Ownership – Moving away from Oracle Forms using Angular can significantly reduce development and operational costs with the ability to easily locate development and technology resources including moving to the cloud.

React

React is another popular front-end development library created by Facebook in 2013. It’s also a JavaScript-based SPA development framework like Angular.

Like Angular, React offers several benefits over Oracle Forms:

• Component-based architecture: With React, developers can create applications using reusable components, allowing for faster development and easier maintenance.
• Virtual DOM: By utilizing a virtual Document Object Model (DOM), React minimizes the need for manual updates to the actual DOM, improving performance significantly.
• Flexibility: React can be used with other frameworks and libraries, making it a flexible option for building complex applications.
• Developer support: With a large and active community, developers can find solutions to issues quickly and stay updated on the latest developments in the framework.

Conclusion

Oracle Forms was once a popular development tool, but it’s time to move on. As technology advances rapidly, businesses need modern solutions that offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Java-based front-end solutions like APEX, Angular, and React provide these benefits while also offering an easy transition from Oracle Forms. These tools have gained popularity among developers and are constantly evolving to meet the demands of modern business applications. It’s time for businesses to embrace these solutions and future-proof their systems. So, don’t wait until Oracle Forms reaches end of support—start planning your migration now! Keep an eye out for more content on how to successfully migrate from Oracle Forms to modern front-end solutions. Stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of all that Java-based front-end development has to offer. Happy migrating!

References:

• Oracle Lifetime Support Policy
  • Introduction to Oracle APEX
    • Angular Official Website
      • React Official Website
      • Migrating from Oracle Forms to Angular and React – Why Choose Java for Front End Development?
        • Benefits of Modernizing Business Applications with APEX.
        • The Advantages of Using React in Web Development.
        • Angular and Its Benefits for Business Applications. – React vs Angular: Which is Better?. – Why Choose React for Front End Development?.