ORACLE FORMS

ORACLE FORMSOracle forms are GUI based applications. It is to develop user friendly Interface for front end users in-order to query the details and Modify the details.Oracles GUI based forms tools are :Form Builder: It is used to design the layout of data entry form as well as to bind event driven PL/SQL code to the form for data validation and navigation purpose.Forms Compiler : It is used to compile the file, which was developed by the form builder . It creates a binary file and save the file to hard, which can be executed. Form Runtime : It is used to run the compiled file, which was created by Forms Compiler. To run an oracle form only the Forms Runtime is required. Application built using Oracle Form Builder contain the following components1) Form Modules

2) Menus

3) PL/SQL Libraries

4) Object Libraries

5) Database Objects1) Form Module

It is primary object created using From Builder. Form Module is collection of objects such as data blocks, canvases, frames, items and event based PL/SQL code blocks bound to triggers 2) Menus

The Menu module is a collection objects such as menu items, sub menu items and event based PL/SQL code blocks.3) PL/SQL Libraries

The library module is a collection of PL/SQL procedures, functions, Package Spec and Package Body. These can be accessed form the forms and menus.4) Object Libraries

The Object Library provides an easy method of reusing objects.We can use the Object Library to:

( Create, store, maintain, and distribute standard and reusable objects.

( Rapidly create applications by dragging and dropping predefined objects to your form.5) Database Objects

Oracles interactive tool ( SQL * PLUS ) allows the creation of database objects like stored procedures, functions and database triggers using appropriate SQL and PL/SQL sntax.FORM MODULE

A form module consists of the following components1) Block

2) Items

3) Frames

4) Canvas Views5) Window

6) PL/SQL Code blocks

Blocks :

1) A form contains one or more blocks. Blocks are logical containers and have no physical representation Only the item contained in a block are visible in the form interface.2) A block, which is connected to a database object is called as Data Aware Block. A block, which is not connected to any database object is called as Control Block3) A block can be Connected to a database object like a table, view or synonym. A block can also be connected to stored procedures. 4) A table, which is connected to block is called as base table.Items : 1) Items are objects contained in blocks. A Block serves as container for items where as Item serves as contained for data.2) Some of Items of the block, bound to the columns of base table and some of the items of the block may not be bounded to columns of the base table.

From : Form is an interface for end user, which enable the end user to give input to an application. Form consists of G.U.I components for user friendly. Forms are used to design GUI ( user interface ) , to enable the end user to display, add records, modify records, and delete records in table. It is a user friendly. ( select, insert, update, delete )Note : 1) Reports are used only for display records. ( Select )

2) Every thing is called as an object in the form builder and report builder.

Form Builder Versions ( 4.5 / 6i / 9i / 10G

A Form consists of following Interfaces1) Layout Editor

2) Object Navigator

3) Property Palette

4) PL/SQL Editor 5) Menu Editor

6) Wizard 1) Layout Editor : The Layout Editor is a graphical design facility for creating and arranging interface items and graphic objects in a form. i.e Designing user friendly screens for end user.

F2 ( is short cut key to access the Layout Editor

(or)

Window ( Module1 : Canvas2

Canvas :

A canvas is a surface--inside a window container--on which we place the interface items and boilerplate objects that end users interact with when they run the form. By default, any canvas you create at runtime is assigned to the window named WINDOW1. To explicitly associate a canvas to a specfic window, set the canvas' Window property accordingly.

Layout Editor Context :

The title bar of the Layout Editor window displays context information, including the name of the current form, the name of the canvas being edited, and the name of the current block. When you create an item by drawing it on a canvas in the Layout Editor, Form Builder assigns the item to the current block, as indicated by Layout Editor block context. You can change Layout Editor block context using the Block poplist on the toolbar.

Rulers : The horizontal and vertical rulers at the top and left side of the workspace provide a reference for sizing and arranging objects in the Layout Editor. To hide rulers, deselect the Rulers option on the View menu.

Layout Editor ruler units can be set to character cells, inches, centimeters, or points. To display the Ruler Settings dialog, choose ViewSettingsRuler Settings.

2) Object Navigator The Object Navigator provides a hierarchical display of the objects in all open modules. Objects are grouped under the appropriate node. For example, all of the windows defined in a form module appear under the Windows node. The Windows node, in turn, appears under the appropriate form module object.

F3 ( is a shortcut key to access the object navigator

( OR )

Window ( Object Navigator

3) Property Palette ( F4 is short cut key )The Property Palette is where you set the properties of objects you create in form and menu modules.

4) PL/SQL Editor

The PL/SQL Editor is where you enter and compile code objects. Code objects in Form Builder include event triggers, subprograms (functions and procedures), menu item commands, menu startup code, and packages.

5) Menu Editor :

The Menu Editor is a Form Builder design tool you use (along with the Object Navigator and Property Palette) to create and arrange custom form menu modules and popup menus.

6) Wizards

Form Builder includes several wizards to automate frequently performed tasks for both beginning and advanced users.

Using a wizard, you can do the following:

1) create or modify a form

2) create or modify a data block

3) create and arrange items within a frame

4) create or modify an LOV

5) create or modify chart item

Window : It is an area where we can display the canvas, we can have the multiple canvases in one window. Windows are of two types.1) Model : We can not resize and minimize

2) Model Less window : User Friendly we can easily navigate other forms and minimize and maximize

It is a default one. If it is required to make it as model window, set property Model : Yes

Canvas : This object represents a background entity on which you place interface items, such as check boxes, radio groups, and text items. Developing a simple form

A form can be developed in two ways 1) by using wizard 3) Manually

In real time recommended one is manual.

Eg:

EmpNo

EmpName

Salay

DeptNoUsing WizardStep1; Start the form builder

1) Select use Datablock Wizard

2) click on Next

3) select Table or view

4) Specify the name table

5) click on refresh

6) supply the user Id and password ( scott/tiger )

7) select the required fields ( >> ( all )

8) select create data block wizard and call

9) click on finish

10) layout wizard ( next ( it shows the name of the canvas

11) next

12) select the required fields to be displayed in the layout (Empno, Ename, Sal, Deptno)

13) Modify the Prompt and width as desired

14) Next

15) select the form/table as desired ( select table ) and click on next

Form option is used to display one record at time where table option is used to more than one record at a time.

16) supply the frame title, No of record displayed, scroll bar and next

17) Finish

18) compile and run the form

Program ( Compile ( all

File ( administration (Compile File ( Ctrl + T )

Program ( Run Form (Client/Server ( Ctrl + R )

In place of last two steps : click on run tool ( shows in green color )19) to see the records go to query ( execute ( to display ; enter ( clear 20) Next >> Previous