Architecture (3-Tier)
1. Client Tier: Browser/FSAL with Java.
2. Middle Tier: Application server & Forms Services.
3. Database Tier: Oracle DB server.
Key Components
● Forms Listener Servlet: Connects client to Forms Runtime.
● Forms Runtime Process: Executes form logic.
● HTTP Listener: Entry point, manages secure communication.
📌 Oracle Forms Developer Reviewer
Based on:
● 1.2 Running and Working in the Forms Builder Environment and its Components
● 1.3 Working in the Forms Developer Environment
● 1.4 Creating a Basic Form Module
✅ 1. Oracle Forms Overview
● Oracle Forms Developer is used to build data-entry applications that interact with
Oracle databases.
● Runs in the Oracle Fusion Middleware environment using WebLogic Server.
● Key deployment component: Forms Servlet (frmservlet), which generates the HTML
interface.
✅ 2. Key Executables
Component Purpose
Forms Builder Main design tool for creating form modules
Forms Compiler Converts .fmb source files into executable .fmx
files
✅ 3. Module Types
Module Type Description
Form Module Main UI and logic interface
Menu Module Custom or default menus
PL/SQL Library Stores reusable PL/SQL code
Object Library Stores reusable visual form
components
✅ 4. File Extensions
File Description
.fmb Form source (editable, not executable)
.fmx Compiled form module (executable)
.pll PL/SQL library source (portable but requires recompilation)
.plx Compiled PL/SQL library
.mmb / .m Menu module source / compiled
mx
✅ 5. Forms Runtime Process
1. User runs form via URL.
2. HTTP Server receives request.
3. Redirects to WebLogic Server via /forms mapping.
4. frmservlet reads formsweb.cfg.
5. Determines form to load (%form% variable).
6. HTML or JNLP is returned to start Java applet.
7. Applet contacts lservlet.
8. Starts frmweb (run-time engine).
9. Executes form logic and interacts with DB.
✅ 6. Forms Builder Components
Tool Use
Object Navigator Tree view of all objects/modules
Property Palette Modify object properties
Layout Editor Graphical interface design
PL/SQL Editor Write triggers, procedures, functions
✅ 7. Runtime UI Components
● Browser Window – Container for applet
● Java Applet – Runs the form
● Default Menu – Built-in menu for DB operations
● Menu Toolbar – Buttons for menu commands
● Console – Displays status and messages
✅ 8. Data Elements in Forms
Item Description
Text Items Input/display text
Check Boxes Boolean selections
List Items Dropdown lists
Radio Groups One-choice
selections
Image Items Display pictures
Push Buttons Perform actions
Display Items Read-only info
Boilerplate Static text/graphics
✅ 9. Navigation Techniques
● Default Menu
● Toolbar Buttons
● Mouse
● Keyboard Function Keys
● Help > Keys or Ctrl + K for shortcut list
✅ 10. Modes of Operation
Mode Description
Normal Default mode for input
Enter-Query Used to perform queries
Query Processing query (non-
interactive)
✅ 11. Blocks, Items, Canvases
Component Description
Block Logical group of items
Item Field or UI component
Canvas Visual surface showing items
Window Contains canvases
✅ 12. Block Types
Type Description
Data Block Connected to DB table/view
Control Block Not connected to database; UI controls
only
✅ 13. Master-Detail Relationships
● Master block: Primary (parent)
● Detail block: Related (child)
● Uses foreign key links and automatically syncs data
✅ 14. Creating a Form Module
Options:
● Use Wizard
● Manual
● From Template
Change Default Name:
● Use Object Navigator or Property Palette
✅ 15. Data Block Wizard
Steps:
1. Select source: Table or View
2. Choose columns
3. Enforce constraints (optional)
4. Associate with master (if applicable)
5. Optionally launch Layout Wizard
✅ 16. Layout Wizard
Pages:
1. Canvas Page – Choose or create canvas
2. Items Page – Select and order items
3. Style Page – Choose layout style (Form or Tabular)
4. Rows Page – Set records displayed, spacing
5. Finish Page – Confirm layout
✅ 17. Saving and Compiling
● Save via File > Save or Save icon → creates .fmb
● Compile via Program > Compile → creates .fmx
✅ 18. Deploying the Form
1. Transfer .fmb or .fmx to middle-tier server (e.g., via FTP)
2. Recompile if different platform
3. Place in directory listed in FORMS_PATH
4. Access via browser URL:
http://[server]:[port]/forms/frmservlet?form=yourform
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