Forms 9i - Dream and Reality

Anual conference 2003 - Vienna
Oracle Forms 9i
Dream & Reality
Peter Anzenberger
peter@peter-partner.com
Applications Evolving With Forms
Block Block Mode Mode
Character Character Mode Mode
Client Client Server Server
Web Web
? ?
? ?
History of Forms
2004 6i
Oracle Forms 10g
Oracle Forms 10g ???
The Problem and the Reality
! ! !
Many data entry applications dont need desktop integration But many do. Can be a significant barrier to Web deployment There are ways

!
Should I Migrate to the Web Today?

Migrate? Yes Yes Maybe Probably Not Probably Not Maybe
Integration Occasional Upload Background Calculations Mail Merge Document Storage in the DB Full on Outlook & Word Integration Integration with Testing Equipment

DB Server Application Server
Desktop
Database Document Storage
Generic Applet PJC JavaBeans
Form Runs Here Host OLE Read_Image_File ORA_FFI
The End of Client/Server?
A successful Migration
!
Customer: voestalpine stahl Linz GmbH What to do:

! C/S ! Web . . Forms 6i or Forms 9i
How much forms: approximately 150
History of the Project

!
At the beginning was Forms 3.0

! Terminals on SCO Unix Servers
Migration with Designer 2.1 to Forms 5.0

! ! ! ! Creation of an OLB for Designer Creation of Templates Reverse Engineering and Generation with Designer 2.1 Layout made new with FormBuilder
We packed almost everything on Code into the Database

10
Conclusion of the Migration Process
! ! ! !
Migration worked only with FormBuilder We needed only 1 Day to migrate 150 Forms Tests took 2 weeks Everything worked fine because we worked fine in the past
11
Forms 4.5 to 9i Forms

!
! !
Conversion ! Migration Wizard ! Forms Builder OTN Web Site Remember to start OC4J!
The migration from versions earlier than 6i is not supported. But may work!!! "
12
IT - Infrastructure
! !
The Migration Process is not the Main Problem The real Problem is:
You need the Oracle IAS 9i now! WHY?

13
Running on O9iAS
Current client/server apps now need O9iAS ! licensing ! administration ! Getting this wrong can kill your project ! Complex configuration ! Need experienced O9iAS admin ! Q: What killed the Reports Server? ! A: Permissions on the /tmp directory
!
14
Infrastructure of C/S
Developer Client Forms Reports Graphics SQL*Net
Database Server
15
Form Startup
WWW Browser
HTTP Server (mod_oc4j)
Forms Listener Servlet
JInitiator Applet Window
File System Forms Servlet HTML Startup File
Client
Application Server
16
Form Runtime
Forms Servlet
WWW Browser
HTTP Server
File System
JInitiator Window WWW Browser
Java Files Forms Files Forms Listener Servlet GIF Files Database
JInitiator Window WWW Browser
JInitiator Window
Forms Runtime Engine Forms Runtime Engine Forms Runtime Engine
Client
Application Server
Database 17 Server
Installation of iAS 9.0.2

!
Now you are ready to install the Oracle9iAS Infrastructure. The Oracle9iAS Metadata Repository, Oracle Internet Directory and Oracle9iAS Single Sign-On will be installed. Note: If you will be installing Oracle9i Application Server Business Intelligence and Forms and the Oracle9i Database Release 2 on the same machine, it is recommended that you clean off your machine. When you install Oracle9iAS Infrastructure, a database is also installed. This database stored the metadata repository for all the Oracle9iAS products and components associated with a repository. The unique instance name will be used to identify this installation of Oracle9iAS infrastructure.
18
We are on the way

!
Now that you have the Oracle9iAS Infrastructure installed, you will need to install the applications that will use the infrastructure. In this case, you want to utilize J2EE and Web Cache as well as Wireless, Portal and Discoverer so you will install the Business Intelligence and Forms install option. The Oracle Universal Installer should detect that you already have an Oracle9iAS Infrastructure installed and Single Sign-On is enabled.
19
Installation: Conclusion
! !
It takes much time to install the iAS 9i Rel 2 It also takes much nerves Sometime it works. The recomended Infrastructure for
! iAS 9.0.2 with ! Oracle 9.2 Database looks like this:
20
IT Infrastructure form iAS and Forms 9i

!
1st machine with Infrastructure DB (9.0.x) 2nd machine with iAS (Foms Server, .) 3rd machine or somewhere else: 9.2 Database Will be better in newer Releases
21
Configuring Forms Services

!
The Oracle Installer does the hard work

! It configures iAS
You only need to configure Forms itself

! formsweb.cfg ! default.env ! Registry.dat
And then run your application!

22

formsweb.cfg ! Specifies runtime parameters for Forms apps ! Client-server equivalent of command line options ! All parameters listed in Oracle9iAS Forms Services Deployment Guide on OTN.
23

formsweb.cfg ! Runtime parameters ! All settings can be set in the default section ! Application sections override default
formsweb.cfg File userid= form=test.fmx background= width=640 height=480 [order] userid=order/order@orcl form=orders background=order.jpg
24

formsweb.cfg ! Runtime parameters ! All settings can be set in the default section ! Application sections override default ! You can have many environments on one installation
formsweb.cfg File userid= form=text.fmx background= width=640 height=480 [order] userid=order/order@orcl form=orders background=order.jpg
25

default.env ! Specifies runtime environment variables ! Client-server equivalent of environment variables or Windows Registry entries
26

default.env ! Environment variables
formsweb.cfg File userid= form=text.fmx background= width=640 height=480 envFile=default.env [order] userid=order/order@orcl form=orders background=order.jpg
default.env File ORACLE_HOME=C:\Oracle\Forms9i FORMS90_PATH=D:\Work
27

default.env ! Environment variables ! Each app section can have an env file
orders.env File ORACLE_HOME=C:\Oracle\Forms9i FORMS90_PATH=D:\Orders formsweb.cfg File userid= form=text.fmx background= width=640 height=480 envFile=default.env [order] userid=order/order@orcl form=orders background=order.jpg envFile=orders.env
28
Some Scenarios
But how will our System run within some Scenarios of failures? Lets see
29
Agenda
! ! !
1 machine HTTP and Forms together 2 machines HTTP and Forms separate Load Balancing Configurations
30
One Machine (a)

Simplest configuration
Client Tier Application Tier Database Tier
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
31
One Machine (b)

Not dedicating memory and CPU to Forms Services
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
32
One Machine (c)

Single point of failure
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
33
Agenda
! ! !
34
Two Machines (a)

Not load balancing
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
35
Two Machines (b)

HTTP server can be used for other purposes without taking resources from Forms Services
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
36
Two Machines (c)

Useful if one machine is not powerful enough for all components
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
37
Two Machines (c)

Configure MOD_OC4J in HTTP server to point to servlet engine on other machine
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
38
Two Machines (d)

H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
39
Two Machines (e)

H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
40
Agenda
! ! !
41
1. MOD_OC4J Load Balancing
42
Load Balancing (1a)

OC4J load balancing (built into Oracle9iAS)
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
43
Load Balancing (1b)

Load balancing only occurs for the first request
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
44
Load Balancing (1c)

Forms Services not a single point of failure
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
45
Load Balancing (1d)

May overload remaining machine
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
46
Load Balancing (1e)

iAS Release 2 can restart OC4J servlet engines
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
47
Load Balancing (1f)

HTTP server still single point of failure
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
48
Load Balancing (1g)

Add more Forms Services as needed
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
49
Load Balancing (1h)

Add more Forms Services as needed
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
50
2. MOD_OC4J Load Balancing, but combining components
51
Load Balancing (2a)

If one machine becomes fully utilized, add another machine for Forms Services
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
52
Load Balancing (2b)

If one machine becomes fully utilized, add another machine for Forms Services
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
53
Load Balancing (2c)

Better availability
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
54
Load Balancing (2c)

Better availability
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
55
3. External load balancer
56
Load Balancing (3a)

Use hardware/software Load Balancer to route requests between HTTP servers
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
57
Load Balancing (3b)

Load Balancer may be hardware or software
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
58
Load Balancing (3c)

Load Balancer must support session binding
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
59
Load Balancing (3d)

If you dont have enough hardware, combine components
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
60
Load Balancing (3e)

Load Balancer is a single point of failure, but less so than other components
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
61
Load Balancing (3f)

Single point of failure cannot be eliminated; you need to weigh risk versus cost and hassle
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
62
Load Balancing (3g)

If HTTP server goes down, not utilizing Forms Services behind it
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
63
4. MOD_OC4J Load Balancing with external load balancer
64
Load Balancing (4a)

Use a combination of a Load Balancer, plus OC4J load balancing on each HTTP server
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
65
Load Balancing (4b)

Only single point of failure is Load Balancer
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
66
Load Balancing (4c)

If HTTP server or Forms Services goes down, requests routed to others
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
67
4b
Load Balancing (4d)

If HTTP server or Forms Services goes down, requests routed to others
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
68
Load Balancing (4e)

Any number of machines
H T T P L B H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
O C 4 J
F O R M S
69
5. MOD_OC4J Load Balancing with external load balancer, plus a router
70
Load Balancing (5a)

Allows for separate HTTP server for Forms, and for other requests
L B
R O U T E R
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
71
Load Balancing (5b)

This means you can size for Forms
L B
R O U T E R
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
O C 4 J
F O R M S
H T T P
72
What to do?
! !
You see, you are depending on the count of Servers To make sure the System is running you need at least:
! 1 (or 2) iAS machine ! 1 DB machine (like until now)
Small Projects will die

! How will I explain my customer, that he needs for 5 or 10 clients 2 or 3 or even more Servers?
My customer decided as follows:

! Critical Users will work with 6i Client/Server ! Non Critcal Users will be changed to Intranet with 9i
OR
73
Kostenlose Werbung ask: Weichselberger, Stmmer, Hofmann
Lets wait for the
GRID*
* BUT: how are the costs for the servers (hardware and administration)?
74
Migration
!
But also the Migration is not so easy like it looks Lets see some points of Interest:
75
Components to be removed in Forms 9i
76
Oracle Graphics is dead, long live BI beans
38 page White Paper how to integrate Graphics and Forms 9i
77
Forms 9i New Features
78
Obsolete Features in Forms 9i
79
Where is my Menu?
80
Where are the Data for my LOVs?
81
Where are the Data for my LOVs?
82
How much Data may be entered?
83
Stricter Enforcement of Triggers and Built-Ins
84
85
86
Where are all my Icons* gone?
* In the Forms Builder still ico

14 page White Paper how to deploy Icons in the Web
BUT .....
87
Client/Server architecture
Host OLE2 Database
ORA_FFI
OLE Containers
Desktop drives
88
Web-deployed architecture
Host Database
ORA_FFI
OLE2
unix
89
Going back to the application

The following features will not work with web deployment ! Third party workflow ! Address validation ! D2KWUTIL ! Calls to .DLL and .EXE files ! Integration with MS Word ! Production of Excel spreadsheets ! Upload files ! Reading registry without making changes ! This is not an upgrade, it is a migration
!
90
Porting to Unix
Watch out for : ! case sensitivity ! embedded file names ! directory separators ! O9iDS is less usable on Unix ! Not supported on terminal emulators
!
unix
91
Introducing WebUtil
! !
Oracle Beta Pre-Production software Client side versions of old favourites

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! CLIENT_HOST CLIENT_TEXT_IO CLIENT_OLE2 CLIENT_GET_FILE_DIR CLIENT_TOOL_ENV CLIENT_WIN_API_ENVIRONMENT WEBUTIL_FILE_TRANSFER WEBUTIL_HOST WEBUTIL_C_API WEBUTIL_CLIENTINFO WEBUTIL_BROWSER
New features
All straight PL/SQL calls
92
Limitations of WebUtil
Uses Pluggable Java Components ! Require PJC instantiations
!
!Not useable in many triggers # Use timers !Can only use in Forms, not Reports or Menus # Create one-off Forms
Cannot get a Windows handle ! Not always the best approach

!
! CLIENT_TEXT_IO ! CLIENT_OLE2
93
So, do I have to become a Java head?

Must know how Java CLASSPATH works ! ORA_JAVA requires some familiarity with: ! classes ! inheritance ! May need to write your own Java class
!
94
Migrated functionality
Through ORA_JAVA ! Third party workflow ! Address validation ! Through WEBUTIL_C_API ! Complex technical calculations ! Terrain mapping ! Through CLIENT_OLE2 ! Integration with MS Word ! Production of Excel spreadsheets ! Through WEBUTIL miscellaneous ! Upload files ! Read registry
!
95
Lost functionality
Help files ! Using Notepad to edit items ! Performance ! Using Forms to launch apps ! Using timers instead of W-N-F-I ! CLIENT_OLE2 time lag ! IDENTIFIED EXTERNALLY ! DLL transactions
!
96
So What Alternatives To This?
97
JACOB & Others

!
JAva COm Bridge

! Open Source ! http://danadler.com/jacob/ ! Similar APIs to ms.com classes (simple method) but not dependant on Microsoft JVM
Intrinsyc (Linar) J/Integra

! Not free but trial available ! Have an Add-in for Oracle9i JDeveloper jacoZoom www.infozoom.de
! Again not free but can evaluate
98
Some Design Considerations

!
Move SQL code to the database

! Good idea with any environment
Do some of the standard Forms features make sense on the Web?

! Toolbar buttons ! Enter Query mode ! MDI windows ! Next Record, Next Block, Clear Form
Set user expectations (use OLAF?)

99
OLAF
Oracle Look And F eel
! Rounded everything: buttons, scrollbars ! Animated alert icons
! lookAndFeel=oracle
!
Pre-designed color palettes for

! Blue, Khaki, Olive, Purple, Red, Teal, Titanium
Oracle look and feel
! colorScheme=olive
!
Background density ! darkLook=true
100
101
Neat OLAF Parameters

!
LOV button ! Button appears automatically if item has an LOV ! In registry.dat file on the app server:
app.ui.lovButtons=true
Required items with yellow background (registry.dat)

! app.ui.requiredFieldVA=true ! app.ui.requiredFieldVABGColor=255, 242,203
Read-only items with light gray background ! ServerArgs again

! readOnlyBackground=true
102
Fonts and Colors

Fonts are different
! Use fonts with a Java equivalent ! There are only a few fonts in Java Dialog, Serif, SansSerif, Monospaced, DialogInput
MS Sans Serif becomes Dialog
! Font substitutions in Deploying Forms Applications to the Web with Forms Server design chapter 7 ! Use 9 point translates better than 8 point ! Use Display Items if nothing else works ! registry.dat contains font mappings
!
Use visual attributes for buttons

! The Windows manager does not color them as it does in client/server
103
The Fastest-Loading Design

! !
Reduce the number of items E.g., logon form

! After validating the user, issue a NEW_FORM to a menu form
Small initial forms break up the startup time

! Forms Server process startup ! Loading form into memory ! Loading library code
Achieve startup times of 5 seconds!

! From the URL click to the form appearing
104
Use JavaBeans
!
Unlimited design elements

! Anything you want to use as an extension ! File browser; spell checker; animated dogs
Roll your own Pluggable Java Components (PJCs)

! Replace objects such as buttons and items ! Or use a Bean Area - layout object
Use custom trigger and get and set properties JDeveloper can help create these
Lots of samples on OTN

! Look for white paper: Oracle9i Forms in a Java World
Import Java methods

! Program | Import Java Classes
?
105
Why Use Java?

!
Allows you to interact with the client machine

! Do FFI or DDE ! Use the ORA_JAVA built-in package in Forms 9i
Include any Java component

! Java components have many possibilities ! Easily extended and customized
Leverage existing Java code

! For computation or business rules ! OO handling of data
Get experience with Java

! Extending forms applications is a small step towards learning about Java
106
System Variables
!
Some values are different from client/server

! :SYSTEM.MOUSE_BUTTON_SHIFT_STATE
$ $
In c/s,Ctrl+ for control key and mouse button In Web Forms, it is Control+
! :SYSTEM.MOUSE_BUTTON_PRESSED
Normally 1 and 3
For left and right button
The docs mention that this is platform-specific
Web Forms: 1 and nothing

!
Use :SYSTEM.MOUSE_BUTTON_MODIFIERS
! O/S non-specific; Info in help system Find tab
Test for the environment: get_application_property( USER_INTERFACE) = WEB
107
Operating System Calls

!
Forms runs on the app server

! The host operating system is on the app server
! ! !
HOST built-in runs on the application server Registry reads and writes go to the app server Other operating system facilities:
! ! ! ! ! OCX and VBX OLE and DDE User exits OTN white paper describes a HINT.PLL solution using Java COM Bridge (JACOB). Be careful when changing environments (moving from Windows to UNIX) ! Will not display on the client
108
Operating System Calls

!
ORA_FFI operates on the app server

! FFI calls may break if you port to another O/S
The same for TEXT_IO and printing

! If the server can see the client machine, you can read and write client files with TEXT_IO ! For printing and TEXT_IO, use ORARRP
Oracle utility Works for Reports; OTN has details
Use WEB.SHOW_DOCUMENT ! Opens the browser and a URL
Preview on OTN: WebUtil.PLL for 9 i that includes some functions of D2KWUTIL.PLL

109
Startup Parameters
Placed in the HTML startup file (serverArgs) Default is an MDI frame
! You can turn Multiple Document Interface off ! usesdi=yes
!
! !
Run form in the browser window

! Not separate window ! separateFrame=false
Splash page that shows while Forms loads

! Can trick the users ! splashScreen=co_logo.gif
110
Other Tips and Differences
! !
Locate app server close to database server Key mappings are different
! Uses FMRWEB.RES by default ! Substitute FMRPCWEB.RES for the same key mapping as client/server ! These are editable ASCII files
In ORACLE_HOME/ FORMS60 directory
No magic menu items for Cut, Copy, Paste

! Ctrl-X, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V do work ! Use CUT_REGION, COPY_REGION, PASTE_REGION instead
Turn off menu buffering

SET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(MENU_BUFFERING, 'FALSE');
! Fewer network messages (menu is not resent)
111
Other Tips
!
This doesnt work:

SET_WINDOW_PROPERTY(FORMS_MDI_WINDOW, WINDOW_STATE, MINIMIZE)
Disappearing canvas tips

! Increase space between stacked canvases if one disappears
They might be slightly overlapped on the Web
! Use SHOW_VIEW() to display a shy canvas

!
Update to the latest mouse drivers

! Otherwise, the mouse buttons may not work if you switch the mouse buttons for left-handed mousers ! Logitech or Intellimouse
112
Tuning Options prior to Web Forms

Database access
! Optimize SQL access ! Array fetches, etc
!
Application tuning
! Good coding practice ! Efficient code, etc ! Lots of advice out there
Client hardware
! The more memory and CPU, the better
113
Additional Tuning Options for Web Forms
(Tips on the previous slide still apply)

! !
Network Tuning Oracle Application Server Tuning
114
Reduce Items on the Screen
Objects that display on a screen need to be initialized Less items on an initial screen speeds up performance
! Have a lean first screen ! Hide items that are not needed
115
Reduce Items on the Screen: Tab canvases

!
Tabbed canvases
All items are downloaded to client Results in a possible large initial download time
116
Reduce Items on the Screen: Tab canvases

!
Tabbed canvases
Use hidden stacked canvas on each tab to defer download Trade off: possible delay when user navigates to tab for the first time
117
Promote Similarities
!
Similar items are likely to be handled by the Forms smart delta messaging
! Only the differences are sent across the network
Promote similarity in the UI

! Use Property classes and Object groups ! Use Inheritance where possible
118
Resources on the Web

OracleWorld: www.oracle.com/oracleworld Oracle Technology Network: otn.oracle.com
! Mostly 9i now, but links exist to 6i material
! otn.oracle.com/products/forms/techlisting9i.html ! otn.oracle.com/docs/products/forms
! !
! Migrate to the Web

otn.oracle.com/products/forms/htdocs/upgrade
! Migration Assistant - from Forms 6i to 9i

otn.oracle.com/software/products/forms
! !
IOUG Technical Repository: www.ioug.org ODTUG web site: www.odtug.com

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Anual conference 2003 - Vienna

Applications Evolving With Forms

Block Block Mode Mode

Character Character Mode Mode

Client Client Server Server

Oracle Forms 10g

Oracle Forms 10g ???

The Problem and the Reality

The Problem and the Reality

Should I Migrate to the Web Today?

The Problem and the Reality

Database Document Storage

Generic Applet PJC JavaBeans

Form Runs Here Host OLE Read_Image_File ORA_FFI

The End of Client/Server?

Customer: voestalpine stahl Linz GmbH What to do:

How much forms: approximately 150

History of the Project

At the beginning was Forms 3.0

Migration with Designer 2.1 to Forms 5.0

We packed almost everything on Code into the Database

Conclusion of the Migration Process

Forms 4.5 to 9i Forms

You need the Oracle IAS 9i now! WHY?

Developer Client Forms Reports Graphics SQL*Net

HTTP Server (mod_oc4j)

Forms Listener Servlet

JInitiator Applet Window

File System Forms Servlet HTML Startup File

JInitiator Window WWW Browser

JInitiator Window WWW Browser

Forms Runtime Engine Forms Runtime Engine Forms Runtime Engine

Installation of iAS 9.0.2

We are on the way

IT Infrastructure form iAS and Forms 9i

Configuring Forms Services

The Oracle Installer does the hard work

You only need to configure Forms itself

And then run your application!

Configuring Forms Services

Configuring Forms Services

Configuring Forms Services

Configuring Forms Services

Configuring Forms Services

default.env File ORACLE_HOME=C:\Oracle\Forms9i FORMS90_PATH=D:\Work

Configuring Forms Services

One Machine (a)

One Machine (b)

One Machine (c)

Two Machines (a)

Two Machines (b)

Two Machines (c)

Two Machines (c)

Two Machines (d)

Two Machines (e)

1. MOD_OC4J Load Balancing

Load Balancing (1a)

Load Balancing (1b)

Load Balancing (1c)

Load Balancing (1d)

Load Balancing (1e)

Load Balancing (1f)

Load Balancing (1g)

Load Balancing (1h)