faqs in oracle forms

FAQs in Oracle Forms – Part:319NOV

FAQs in Oracle Forms – Part:3

What is the difference between Pre-Form and When-New-Form-Instance trigger?

Pre-Form trigger will be fired before entering into the form. It is the first trigger that fires when a

form is run; fires before the form is visible. It is useful for setting access to form items, initializing

global variables, and assigning unique primary key from an Oracle sequence.

When-New-Form-Instance trigger will be fired whenever form is ready to accept the data from

the user.

Another main difference between the two is that you cannot navigate in a pre-from trigger

(restricted) whereas you can navigate in a when-new-form-instance trigger. For example :

go_block and execute-query will only work in when-new-form-instance trigger not in pre-from

trigger.

What are the triggers fired while creating Master Detail form?

On-Clear Details (Form Level)

On-Populate-Details (Block Level)

On-Check-delete-Master (Block Level)

How will you get the block Name in a form?

By using SYSTEM.CURRENT_BLOCK

What is the difference between Pre-insert and On-insert trigger?

Pre-insert trigger fires during the Post and Commit Transactions process, before a row is

inserted. It fires once for each record that is marked for insert. On-insert trigger fires during the

Post and Commit Transactions process when a record is inserted. Specifically, it fires after the

Pre-Insert trigger fires and before the Post-Insert trigger fires, when Form Builder would

normally insert a record in the database. It fires once for each row that is marked for insertion

into the database.

What is the difference between Pre-Query and Post-Query trigger?

Pre-Query trigger validates the current query criteria or provide additional query criteria

programmatically, just before sending the SELECT statement to the database. Post-Query

trigger perform an action after fetching a record, such as looking up values in other tables based

on a value in the current record. It fires once for each record fetched into the block.

What is the trigger sequence while opening a form?

Pre-Form,

Pre-Block,

Pre-Record,

Pre-Item,

When-new-form-Instance,

When-new-block-Instance,

When-new-Record-instance,

When-new-Item-instance,

Post-item,

post-record,

Post-block,

Post-form

What is the difference between new form, open form & call form?

New_form:-Once we move into the destination automatically source will be closed.

Open_form:- It is a two way connection between source and destination. Opens the indicated

form. Use OPEN_FORM to create multiple-form applications, that is, applications that open

more than one form at the same time.

Call_form:- Call_form() runs an indicated form while keeping the parent form active. Without

closing the destination one cannot come back to the source.

How to call a Report from a form?

By using RUN_PRODUCT Built-in.

Can we write Commit statement in forms triggers?

Yes

What is the usage of an ON-INSERT,ON-DELETE and ON-UPDATE TRIGGERS ?

These triggers are executes when inserting, deleting and updating operations are performed

and can be used to change the default function of insert, delete or update respectively.

A query fetched 10 records. How many times does a PRE-QUERY Trigger and POST-

QUERY Trigger will get executed ?

PRE-QUERY fires once. POST-QUERY fires 10 times.

How can you execute the user defined triggers in forms?

To execute a user-named trigger, you must call the EXECUTE_TRIGGER built-in procedure, as

shown here: Execute_Trigger(‘my_user_named_trigger’);

What are Restricted Built-in Subprograms in forms?

Any built-in subprogram that initiates navigation is restricted. This includes subprograms that

move the input focus from one item to another, and those that involve database transactions.

Restricted built-ins are not allowed in triggers that fire in response to navigation.

For example, the GO_ITEM and NEXT_SET built-ins are both restricted procedures. GO_ITEM

moves the input focus from a source item to a target item, which requires navigation. Similarly,

the NEXT_SET procedure causes Oracle Forms to navigate internally to the block level, fetch a

set of records, and then navigate to the first item in the first record. (Note that this navigation

happens internally as a result of default processing, and may not be apparent to the form

operator.) Because GO_ITEM and NEXT_SET both initiate navigation, they cannot be called

from triggers that fire in response to internal navigational events; that is, triggers that fire while

navigation is already occurring. Thus, a restricted procedure cannot be called from a Pre-Block

trigger, because the Pre-Block trigger fires during internal navigation. In fact, restricted

subprograms are not allowed from any PRE- or POST- navigational triggers. You can, however,

call a restricted built-in subprogram from a When-New-Instance trigger. For example, the When-

New-Item-Instance trigger fires after navigation to an item has succeeded, when the form is

waiting for input.

What are System Variables in forms?

A system variable is a Oracle Forms variable that keeps track of an internal Oracle Forms state.

You can reference the value of a system variable to control the way an application behaves.

List system variables available in forms 10g?

SYSTEM.CURRENT_FORM

SYSTEM.CURRENT_ITEM

SYSTEM.CURRENT_VALUE

SYSTEM.CURSOR_BLOCK

SYSTEM.CURSOR_ITEM

SYSTEM.CURSOR_RECORD

SYSTEM.CURSOR_VALUE

SYSTEM.FORM_STATUS

SYSTEM.LAST_FORM

SYSTEM.LAST_QUERY

SYSTEM.LAST_RECORD

SYSTEM.MASTER_BLOCK

SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL

SYSTEM.SUPPRESS_WORKING…..etc.

What are the triggers associated with the image item?

When-Image-activated(fires when the operator double clicks on an image Items)

When-image-pressed(fires when the operator selects or deselects the image item)

What are the built-in routines available in forms to create and manipulate a parameter

list?

Add_parameter

Create_Parameter_list

Delete_parameter

Destroy_parameter_list

Get_parameter_attr

Get_parameter_list

set_parameter_attr

What are the built-ins used to trapping errors in forms?

Error_type : Returns the error message type(character)

Error_code : Returns the error number

Error_text : Returns the message text of the Oracle Forms error

Dbms_error_code : Returns the error number of the last database error that was detected.

Dbms_error_text : Returns the message number (such as ORA-01438) and message text of the

database error

What is the predefined exception available in forms ?

The FORM_TRIGGER_FAILURE exception is a predefined PL/SQL exception available only in

Oracle Forms.

What are the Built-ins used for sending Parameters to forms?

You can pass parameter values to a form when an application executes the call_form,

New_form, Open_form or Run_product.

How do you reference a Parameter?

In pl/sql, You can reference and set the values of form parameters using bind variables syntax.

How do you reference a parameter indirectly?

To indirectly reference a parameter use the NAME_IN or COPY built-ins.

What is forms_DDL?

It issues dynamic sql statements at run time, including server side pl/sql and DDL

What is Text_io Package?

It allows you to read and write information to a file in the file system.

What is When-Database-Record trigger?

It fires when oracle forms first marks a record as an insert or an update. The trigger fires as

soon as oracle forms determines through validation that the record should be processed by the

next post or commit as an insert or update. It generally occurs only when the operator modifies

the first item in the record, and after the operator attempts to navigate out of the item.

What is the difference between $$DATE$$ & $$DBDATE$$?

$$DBDATE$$ retrieves the current database date

$$DATE$$ retrieves the current operating system date.

What is a timer?

Timer is a “internal time clock” that you can programmatically create to perform an action each

time the timer expires.

What are built-ins associated with timers?

find_timer

create_timer

delete_timer

What is the difference between post database commit and post-form commit?

Post-form commit fires once during the post and commit transactions process, after the

database commit occurs. The post-form-commit trigger fires after inserts, updates and deletes

have been posted to the database but before the transactions have been finalized in the issuing

the command. The post-database-commit trigger fires after oracle forms issues the commit to

finalized transactions.

What is the form development process?

a) open template form

b) Save as <your form>.fmb

c) Change the form module name as form name.

d) Delete the default blocks, window, and canvas

e) Create a window.

f) Assign the window property class to window

g) Create a canvas

h) Assign canvas property class to the canvas

i) Assign the window to the canvas and canvas to the window

j) Create a data block

k) Modify the form level properties. (sub class item à Text item)

l) Modify the app_cusom package. In the program unit.

m) Modify the pre-form trigger (form level)

n) Modify the module level properties

o) Save and compile the form.

p) Place the .fmx in the server directory.

q) Register in the AOL

APPLICATION à FORMà FUNCTIONà MENU

What is template?

The TEMPLATE form is the required starting point for all development of new Forms. The

TEMPLATE form includes platform–independent attachments of several Libraries.

APPSCORE :- It contains package and procedures that are required of all forms to support the

MENUS ,TOOLBARS.

APPSDAYPK :- It contains packages that control the oracle applications CALENDER

FEATURES.

FNDSQF :- It contains packages and procedures for MESSAGE DICTONARY, FLEX FIELDS,

PROFILES AND CONCURRENT PROCESSING.

CUSTOM :- It allows extension of oracle applications forms with out modification of oracle

application code, you can use the custom library for customization such as zoom ( such as

moving to another form and querying up specific records)

Where exactly you place your forms in APPS environment?

/apps/visappl/au/11.5.0/forms/US

What are the Different PLL’s used in Forms?

CUSTOM.pll

FNDSQF.pll

APPCORE.pll

APPCORE2.pll

appdaypk.pll

APPSTAND.pll

What are the triggers that can be modified during Forms Customization?

Pre-Forms

When-New-Form-Instance

Query_Find

Post-Form

Key-Clrfrm

Accept

What are the triggers that cannot be modified during Forms Customization?

STANDARD_ATTACHMENT

ZOOM

FOLDER_ACTION

KEY-HELP

KEY-EXIT

KEY-COMMIT

WHEN-WINDOW_CLOSED

CLOSE_WINDOW

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on November 19, 2010 in Forms

Tags: FAQs, Oracle Apps, Oracle Forms



What is a display item?

Display items are similar to text items but store only fetched or assigned values. Operators

cannot navigate to a display item or edit the value it contains.

How many maximum number of radio buttons can you assign to a radio group?

Unlimited no of radio buttons can be assigned to a radio group.

Can you change the default value of the radio button group at run time?

No.

What triggers are associated with the radio group?

Only when-radio-changed trigger associated with radio group.

What are the various states of a form?

CHANGED: Indicates that the form contains at least one block with a Changed record.

NEW: Indicates that the form contains only New records.

QUERY: Indicates that a query is open.

What are the different objects that you cannot copy or reference in object groups?

objects of different modules

another object groups

individual block dependent items

program units

What are the different modals of a window?

Modeless windows

Modal windows

What are Modeless windows?

More than one Modeless window can be displayed at the same time, and operators can

navigate among them if your application allows them to do so . On most GUI platforms,

Modeless windows can also be layered to appear either in front of or behind other windows.

What are modal windows?

Modal windows are usually used as dialogs, and have restricted functionality compared to

modelless windows. On some platforms for example operators cannot resize, scroll or iconify a

modal window.

How do you display console on a window ?

The console includes the status line and message line, and is displayed at the bottom of the

window to which it is assigned. To specify that the console should be displayed, set the console

window form property to the name of any window in the form. To include the console, set

console window to Null.

Can you have more than one content canvas attached with a window?

Yes. Each window you create must have at least one content canvas assigned to it. You can

also create a window that has manipulate content canvas. At run time only one of the content

canvas assign to a window is displayed at a time.

How many windows in a form can have console?

Only one window in a form can display the console, and you cannot change the console

assignment at runtime.

What are the different window events activated at runtimes?

When_window_activated

When_window_closed

When_window_deactivated

When_window_resized

When a form call a pl/sql routine if there is an error in the pl/sql routine how do you place

custom message in the form?

FND_MESSAGE.SHOW displays an informational message in a forms modal window or in a

concurrent program log file only.

fnd_message.set_string(‘Message Text’);

fnd_message.show;

FND_MESSAGE.HINT to display a message in the forms status line and

FND_MESSAGE.ERASE to clear the forms status line. FND_MESSAGE.HINT takes its

message from the stack, displays the message, and then clears that message from the

message stack.

List the built-in routines for controlling a window during run-time?

Find_window,

get_window_property,

hide_window,

move_window,

resize_window,

set_window_property,

show_View

What built-in is used for changing the properties of a window dynamically?

Set_window_property

What built-in is used for showing an alert during run-time?

Show_alert

Can you change alert messages at run-time?

Yes. By Set_alert_property.

What is the built-in function used for finding the alert?

Find_alert

What built-in routines are used to display editor dynamically?

Edit_text item

show_editor

What is the difference between COPY and NAME_IN ?

Copy is package procedure that writes values into a field. Name_in is a package function that

returns the contents of the variable to which you apply.

Can you attach an lov to a field at run-time?

Yes. By Set_item_proprety

What is the built-in used to get and set lov properties during run-time?

Get_lov_property

Set_lov_property

Give built-in routines related to a record groups?

Create_group (Function)

Create_group_from_query(Function)

Delete_group(Procedure)

Add_group_column(Function)

Add_group_row(Procedure)

Delete_group_row(Procedure)

Populate_group(Function)

Populate_group_with_query(Function)

Set_group_Char_cell(procedure)

What is the built-in routine used to count the no of rows in a group?

Get_group_row_count

What are the built-ins that are used to attach an LOV programmatically to an item?

set_item_property

get_item_property

How many number of columns a record group can have?

A record group can have an unlimited number of columns of type CHAR, LONG, NUMBER, or

DATE provided that the total number of column does not exceed 64K.

What is the Maximum allowed length of Record group Column?

Record group column names cannot exceed 30 characters.

What are the built-ins used for Creating and deleting groups?

CREATE-GROUP (function)

CREATE_GROUP_FROM_QUERY(function)

DELETE_GROUP(procedure

What are the difference between Lov & List Item?

Lov is a property where as list item is an item. A list item can have only one column while a lov

can have one or more columns.

What are the different display styles of list items?

Pop List

Text List

Combo box

What is Pop List?

The pop list style list item appears initially as a single field (similar to a text item field). When the

operator selects the list icon, a list of available choices appears.

What is a Text List?

The text list style list item appears as a rectangular box which displays the fixed number of

values. When the text list contains values that can not be displayed, a vertical scroll bar

appears, allowing the operator to view and select undisplayed values.

What is a Combo Box?

A combo box style list item combines the features found in list and text item. Unlike the pop list

or the text list style list items, the combo box style list item will both display fixed values and

accept one operator entered value.

1 CommentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on November 19, 2010 in Forms




What are different types of modules available in oracle form?

Form module – a collection of objects and code routines.

Menu module – a collection of menus and menu item commands that together make up an

application menu.

Library module – a collection of user named procedures, functions and packages that can be

called from other modules in the application.

What are the default extensions of the files created by forms modules?

.fmb – form module binary

.fmx – form module executable

What are the default extensions of the files created by menu module?

.mmb, .mmx

What is data block & control block?

Data Block:-It is a Logical Collection of Items.

Control Block:-It is a data block which is totally independent of Database Table or View.

Note: – A data block can have control block items but not vice versa.

What is property class & visual attributes?

Property Class:

A property class is a named object that contains a list of properties and their settings. Once you

create a property class you can base other objects on it. An object based on a property class

can inherit the setting of any property in the class that makes sense for that object. Property

class inheritance is an instance of subclassing. Conceptually, you can consider a property class

as a universal subclassing parent.

Visual Attributes:

Visual attributes are the font, color, and pattern properties that you set for form and menu

objects that appear in your application’s interface. Visual attributes can include the following

properties: Font properties: Font Name, Font Size, Font Style, Font Width, Font Weight Color

and pattern properties: Foreground Color, Background Color, Fill Pattern. Every interface object

has a Visual Attribute Group property that determines how the object’s individual visual attribute

settings (Font Size, Foreground Color, etc.) are derived. The Visual Attribute Group property

can be set to Default, NULL, or the name of a named visual attribute defined in the same

module.

What is the difference between property class and visual attribute?

We can change Visual Attribute properties dynamically at runtime, but we cannot change

Property class properties. When you inherit the both Visual Attribute properties and Property

class properties to an item Visual Attribute properties overrides the Property class properties.

What is object group?

An object group is a container for a group of objects. You define an object group when you want

to package related objects so you can copy or subclass them in another module. Object groups

provide a way to bundle objects into higher-level building blocks that can be used in other parts

of an application and in subsequent development projects.

What is Record Group?

It is an internal memory data structure and a separate object in the form module. It’s main usage

is to provide data to the LOV and dynamically to the list item and to perform client level

validations.

What are the types of Record-Groups?

Static Record Group:- A static record group is not associated with a query; instead, you define

its structure and row values at design time, and they remain fixed at runtime. Static record

groups can be created and modified only at design time.

Query Based Record Group: – A query record group is a record group that has an associated

SELECT statement. The columns in a query record group derive their default names, data

types, and lengths from the database columns referenced in the SELECT statement. The

records in a query record group are the rows retrieved by the query associated with that record

group.

Non Query Record Group:- A non-query record group is a group that does not have an

associated query, but whose structure and values can be modified programmatically at runtime.

Non-query record groups can be created and modified only at runtime.

How to change Record Group dynamically?

By Using Non-Query Record Group.

What is Library?

A library is a collection of subprograms, including user-named procedures, functions, and

packages. We can attach a library to any other form, menu or library module. It provides an

easy method of reusing objects and enforcing standards across the entire development

organization.

What are the types of canvases available in forms & what is the default canvas?

Content:-it is the base view of window which occupies the entire surface of window. It can have

any no of canvases but at a time only one is visible.

Stacked:-It is always displayed above the content canvas because the content Canvas is the

base view. It can have any no of stacked canvases and more than one stacked canvas can be

displayed at a time.

Tool bar:- A toolbar canvas often is used to create toolbars for individual windows. There are

two types of tool bars Horizontal and Vertical Tool bar Canvas. Horizontal tool bar canvases are

displayed at the top of window and only one horizontal tool bar can be attached to a form

module. Vertical tool bar is used to display top to bottom on the left side of the window.

Tab:-It is a collection of one or more tab pages. It is mainly used to display a large amount of

related information a single dynamic form builder canvas object.

Content Canvas is the default canvas.

What are Alerts?

An alert is a modal window that displays a message notifying the operator of some application

condition. There are three styles of alerts: Stop, Caution, and Note.

To display an alert, your application must execute the SHOW_ALERT built-in subprogram from

a trigger or user-named subprogram. SHOW_ALERT is a function that returns a numeric

constant.

Show_Alert(alert_name) Return NUMBER;

What are LOVs?

An LOV is a scrollable popup window that provides the end user with either a single or multi-

column selection list. LOV values are derived from record groups. The LOVs in the Form Builder

interface have the same auto-reduction and searching functionality as the LOVs you create for

your own applications.

There are two built-in subprograms that can be used to display an LOV:

1) LIST_VALUES

2) SHOW_LOV

List the system variables related in Block and Field?

1. System.block_status

2. System.current_block

3. System.current_field

4. System.current_value

5. System.cursor_block

6. System.cursor_field

7. System.field_status

What is a master detail relationship?

A master detail relationship is an association between two base table blocks- a master block

and a detail block. The relationship between the blocks reflects a primary key to foreign key

relationship between the tables on which the blocks are based.

What are the Various Master and Detail Relationships?

The various Master and Detail Relationship are:

a) NonIsolated :: The Master cannot be deleted when a child is existing.

b) Isolated :: The Master can be deleted when the child is existing.

c) Cascading :: The child gets deleted when the Master is deleted.

What are the procedures that will be created when a master details form created?

CHECK_PACKAGE_FAILURE

CHECK_ALL_MASTER_DETAILS

QUERY_MASTER_DETAILS

What is mouse navigate property of button?

When Mouse Navigate is True (the default), Oracle Forms performs standard navigation to

move the focus to the item when the operator activates the item with the mouse. When Mouse

Navigate is set to False, Oracle Forms does not perform navigation (and the resulting validation)

to move to the item when an operator activates the item with the mouse.

What is difference between PL/SQL library and object library in Forms?

PL/SQL library contains only pl/sql codes which can be used for standardizing the validations

etc. in forms whereas Object Library is used to create, store, maintain, and distribute standard

and reusable Form objects.

What are the different default triggers created when Master Deletes Property is set to

Nonisolated?

On-Check-Delete-Master

On-Clear-Details

On-Populate-Details


Cascade?

On-Clear-Details

On-Populate-Details

Pre-delete


isolated?

On-Clear-Details

On-Populate-Details

What is the difference between SHOW_EDITOR and EDIT_TEXTITEM?

Show_editor is the generic built-in which accepts any editor name and takes some input string

and returns modified output string. Whereas the edit_textitem built-in needs the input focus to

be in the text item before the built-in is executed.

What is the “LOV of Validation” Property of an item? What is the use of it?

When LOV for Validation is set to True, Oracle Forms compares the current value of the text

item to the values in the first column displayed in the LOV whenever the validation event occurs.

If the value in the text item matches one of the values in the first column of the LOV, validation

succeeds, the LOV is not displayed, and processing continues normally. If the value in the text

item does not match one of the values in the first column of the LOV, Oracle Forms displays the

LOV and uses the text item value as the search criteria to automatically reduce the list.

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on November 19, 2010 in Forms


Calling a Report from a Form17NOV

Calling a Report from a FormUsing RUN_PRODUCT Built-in we can call a Report from a Form.

It will take 7 Parameters as follows

1) Product name :: REPORT/GRAPHICS

2) Module name :: Report name

3) Communication Mode :: Synchronous /Asynchronous

SYN :: we cannot work with the Form until and unless you closes the Report.

ASYN:: We can work with Form & Reprot (Navigate)

4) Exec :: Batch/Run time

Batch :: it will fetch all records at a time

Run time :: It will fetch only one Record at a time

5) File name :: database/Filesystem

6) Parameters :: Report Parameters

7) Display :: For Graphics (Mostly null)

Ex :: If we have :p_deptno parameter then we can call as Follows

RUN_PRODUCT (‘REPORT’,'C:\TEST1.rep’,SYN,BATCH,DATABASE,p_deptno,’ ‘);

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on November 17, 2010 in Forms, Reports

Tags: Oracle Forms, Oracle Reports, RUN_PRODUCT

Commands for Form Compilation04OCT

Commands for Form CompilationLogin to Application Server on Unix Box for Compiling Forms

Command in 11i :

f60gen module=CUSTOM.pll userid=apps/(appspwd) module_type=LIBRARY batch=NO

compile_all=special output_file=$AU_TOP/resource/CUSTOM.plx

f60gen module=XXPOCF.fmb userid=apps/(appspwd) module_type=form batch=no

compile_all=special output_file=$XXPO_TOP/forms/US/XXPOCF.fmx

Command in R12 :

$ORACLE_HOME/bin/frmcmp_batch module_type=LIBRARY

module=$AU_TOP/resource/CUSTOM.pll userid=apps/(appspwd)

output_file=$AU_TOP/resource/CUSTOM.plx compile_all=special

$ORACLE_HOME/bin/frmcmp_batch module=$XXFND_TOP/forms/US/XXFND_FHLOG.fmb

userid=apps/(appspwd) output_file=$XXFND_TOP/forms/US/XXFND_FHLOG.fmx

module_type=form compile_all=special

Oracle Forms Personalization

27SEP

Oracle Forms PersonalizationWith the Oracle E-Business Suite release 11.5.10, the Oracle has introduced a mechanism

which revolutionizes the way the forms can be customized to fulfill the customer needs. For

many years, Oracle Applications has provided a custom library using which the look and

behavior of the standard forms can be altered, but the custom library modifications require

extensive work on SQL and PL/SQL. In the release 11.5.10, Oracle has provided a simple and

easy feature to implement the customer specific requirements without modifying the underlying

forms code or CUSTOM library. Although CUSTOM library still can be used for forms

customization to implement the complex business logic, the personalization feature provided in

the latest release is easy, faster and requires minimum development effort.

Why Forms Personalization? Oracle Supports personalization unlike customization. Personalizations are stored in tables rather than files. Will not have a bigger impact when you upgrade or apply patches to the environment. Can be moved easily through FNDLOAD from one instance to other. Can be restricted at site/responsibility/user level. Easy to disable/enable with click of a button. Personalization stores who columns with which we have the ability to track who

created/modified it where as in CUSTOM.PLL we don’t have that ability. Can be applied to new responsibilities/users easily. Can be restricted to a function or form.

What can be implemented through Forms Personalization?The below can be done using Personalization: Zoom from one form to another. Pass data from one form to another through global variables. Change LOV values dynamically. Enable/Disable/Hide fields dynamically Display user friendly messages when required Launch URL directly from oracle form Execute PL/SQL programs through FORM_DDL package Call custom libraries dynamically

Personalization Tables:FND_FORM_CUSTOM_RULES

FND_FORM_CUSTOM_ACTIONS

FND_FORM_CUSTOM_SCOPES

FND_FORM_CUSTOM_PARAMS

FND_FORM_CUSTOM_PROP_LIST

FND_FORM_CUSTOM_PROP_VALUES

Invoking the Personalization screen:The personalization form should be used to implement the custom rules on a specific form. The

specific form refers to the desired form on which you want to apply the custom business logic or

modify the form behavior.

The personalization form is invoked by…

Menu Navigation: Help > Diagnostics > Custom Code > Personalize

Disable the personalization feature:It is possible that a change you make completely breaks a form, to the point that it will not even

run! Here’s how to recover: On the pulldown menu, choose Help > Diagnostics > Custom Code > Off

o This will disable all callouts to Forms Personalization

Run the form of interesto It should run now, because your changes were skipped

Invoke the Personalization screen and correct the problem On the pulldown menu, choose Help > Diagnostics > Custom Code > Normal to re-enable

processing of Personalizations

Limitations:Although it is faster than a speeding bullet, it is not able to leap over tall buildings: You can only change what Forms allows at runtime:

o Cannot create new itemso Cannot move items between canvaseso Cannot display an item which is not on a canvaso Cannot set certain propertieso Cannot change frames, graphics, boilerplate

You can only respond to certain Trigger Events:o WHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCE, WHEN-NEW-BLOCK-INSTANCE, WHEN-NEW-

RECORD-INSTANCE, WHEN-NEW-ITEM-INSTANCEo WHEN-VALIDATE-RECORD (not in all forms)o Product-specific events

May interfere with, or be overridden by, base product code Expected user is an Admin/Developer

o Knowledge of Oracle Developer is extremely desirableo Knowledge of PL/SQL, Coding Standards and/or APIs required in some cases

Normal rules for customizations applyo Extensive testing in a Test environment is required!

Relationship with CUSTOM library: CUSTOM is a stub library Oracle ships that receives Trigger Events. Customers are free to

add any code they like to it. CUSTOM and Form Personalizations drive off the same Trigger Events.

o Form Personalizations are processed first, then the event is sent to CUSTOM

CUSTOM can do more because it has complete access to all PL/SQL and SQL. But for most changes, Form Personalizations is adequate and is significantly simpler.

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on September 27, 2010 in AOL, Forms

Tags: CUSTOM Library, Forms Personalization, Oracle Apps, Oracle Forms, Personalization Tables

Triggers in Oracle Forms15SEP

Triggers in Oracle FormsTriggers are blocks of PL/SQL code that are written to perform tasks when a specific event

occurs within an application. In effect, an Oracle Forms trigger is an event-handler written in

PL/SQL to augment (or occasionally replace) the default processing behavior. Every trigger has

a name, and contains one or more PL/SQL statements. A trigger encapsulates PL/SQL code so

that it can be associated with an event and executed and maintained as a distinct object.

Block Processing Triggers:Block processing triggers fire in response to events related to record management in a block. When-Create-Record Perform an action whenever Oracle Forms attempts to create a new

record in a block. When-Clear-Block Perform an action whenever Oracle Forms flushes the current block;

that is, removes all records from the block. When-Database-Record Perform an action whenever Oracle Forms changes a record’s

status to Insert or Update, thus indicating that the record should be processed by the next COMMIT_FORM operation.

Interface Event Triggers:Interface event triggers fire in response to events that occur in the form interface. Some of these

triggers, such as When-Button-Pressed, fire only in response to operator input or manipulation.

Others, like When-Window-Activated, can fire in response to both operator input and

programmatic control. When-Button-Pressed Initiate an action when an operator selects a button, either with the

mouse or through keyboard selection. When-Checkbox-Changed Initiate an action when the operator toggles the state of a check

box, either with the mouse or through keyboard selection. When-Image-Activated Initiate an action whenever the operator double-clicks an image

item. When-Image-Pressed Initiate an action whenever an operator clicks on an image item. When-Radio-Changed Initiate an action when an operator changes the current radio button

selected in a radio group item. When-Window-Activated Initiate an action whenever an operator or the application

activates a window.

When-Window-Closed Initiate an action whenever an operator closes a window with the window manager’s Close command.

When-Window-Deactivated Initiate an action whenever a window is deactivated as a result of another window becoming the active window.

Master/Detail Triggers:Oracle Forms generates master/detail triggers automatically when a master/detail relation is

defined between blocks. The default master/detail triggers enforce coordination between

records in a detail block and the master record in a master block. Unless developing custom

block-coordination schemes, you do not need to define these triggers. On-Check-Delete-Master Fires when Oracle Forms attempts to delete a record in a block

that is a master block in a master/detail relation. On-Clear-Details Fires when Oracle Forms needs to clear records in a block that is a detail

block in a master/detail relation because those records no longer correspond to the current record in the master block.

On-Populate-Details Fires when Oracle Forms needs to fetch records into a block that is the detail block in a master/detail relation so that detail records are synchronized with the current record in the master block.

Message-Handling Triggers:Oracle Forms automatically issues appropriate error and informational messages in response to

runtime events. Message handling triggers fire in response to these default messaging events. On-Error Replace a default error message with a custom error message, or to trap and

recover from an error. On-Message To trap and respond to a message; for example, to replace a default message

issued by Oracle Forms with a custom message.

Validation Triggers:Validation triggers fire when Oracle Forms validates data in an item or record. Oracle Forms

performs validation checks during navigation that occurs in response to operator input,

programmatic control, or default processing, such as a Commit operation. When-Validate-Item When-Validate-Record

Navigational Triggers:Navigational triggers fire in response to navigational events. Navigational triggers can be further

sub-divided into two categories: Pre- and Post- triggers, and When-New-Instance triggers.

Pre- and Post- Triggers fire as Oracle Forms navigates internally through different levels of the

object hierarchy. When-New-Instance-Triggers fire at the end of a navigational sequence that

places the input focus on a different item. Pre-Form Perform an action just before Oracle Forms navigates to the form from “outside”

the form, such as at form startup. Pre-Block Perform an action before Oracle Forms navigates to the block level from the form

level.

Pre-Record Perform an action before Oracle Forms navigates to the record level from the block level.

Pre-Text-Item Perform an action before Oracle Forms navigates to a text item from the record level.

Post-Text-Item Manipulate an item when Oracle Forms leaves a text item and navigates to the record level.

Post-Record Manipulate a record when Oracle Forms leaves a record and navigates to the block level.

Post-Block Manipulate the current record when Oracle Forms leaves a block and navigates to the form level.

Post-Form Perform an action before Oracle Forms navigates to “outside” the form, such as when exiting the form.

When-New-Form-Instance Perform an action at form start-up. (Occurs after the Pre-Form trigger fires).

When-New-Block-Instance Perform an action immediately after the input focus moves to an item in a block other than the block that previously had input focus.

When-New-Record-Instance Perform an action immediately after the input focus moves to an item in a different record.

When-New-Item-Instance Perform an action immediately after the input focus moves to a different item.

Transactional Triggers:Transactional triggers fire in response to a wide variety of events that occur as a form interacts

with the data source. On-Delete On-Insert On-Update On-Logon On-Logout Post-Database-Commit Post-Delete Post-Insert Post-Update Pre-Commit Pre-Delete Pre-Insert Pre-Update

Query-Time Triggers:Query-time triggers fire just before and just after the operator or the application executes a

query in a block. Pre-Query Validate the current query criteria or provide additional query criteria

programmatically, just before sending the SELECT statement to the database.

Post-Query Perform an action after fetching a record, such as looking up values in other tables based on a value in the current record. Fires once for each record fetched into the block.

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on September 15, 2010 in Forms

Tags: Block Processing Triggers, Interface Event Triggers, Master/Detail Triggers, Message-Handling Triggers, Navigational

Triggers,On-Check-Delete-Master, Oracle Forms, Query-Time Triggers, Transactional Triggers, Triggers, Validation

Triggers, When-Button-Pressed, When-Validate-Item

Modal & Modeless Windows in Oracle Forms15SEP

Modal & Modeless Windows in Oracle FormsA window in oracle forms is a container for all visual objects that make up a Forms application.

You can create two different type of windows in oracle forms. Lets have a brief comparisons

between these two types of windows.

Modal Window:

A modal window is a restricted window that the user must respond to before moving the input

focus to another window. Modal windows: Must be dismissed before control can be returned to a modeless window Become active as soon as they display Require a means of exit or dismissal

Modeless Window:

A modeless window is an unrestricted window that the user can exit freely. Modeless windows: Can display many at once Are not necessarily active when displayed Are the default window type

1 CommentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on September 15, 2010 in Forms

Tags: Modal Windows, Modeless Windows, Oracle Forms, Oracle Forms 10g

Various Canvas Types in Oracle Form27JUL

Various Canvas Types in Oracle FormWhat is a Canvas?

A canvas is a surface inside a window container on which you place visual objects such as

interface items and graphics. It is similar to the canvas upon which a picture is painted. To see a

canvas and its contents at run time, you must display it in a window. A canvas always displays

in the window to which it is assigned.

Canvas Types

Oracle Forms provides four types of canvases, all of which can be displayed in the same

window at runtime. A canvas’ type defines how Oracle Forms will display it in the window to

which it is assigned. When you create a canvas, you specify its type by setting the Canvas Type

property.

The four canvas types are:

Content Stacked Tab Toolbar

Content Canvas:

The most common canvas type is the content canvas (the default type). A content canvas is the

“base” view that occupies the entire content pane of the window in which it is displayed. You

must define at least one content canvas for each window you create.

When building an application, one of the first steps is to create content canvases that will be

displayed in the windows of your form(s). While you can assign more than one content canvas

to the same window at design time, at runtime only one content canvas is displayed at one time

in the window.

Stacked Canvas:

A stacked canvas is displayed at top—or stacked on—the content canvas assigned to the

current window. Stacked canvases obscure some part of the underlying content canvas, and

often are shown and hidden programmatically. You can display more than one stacked canvas

in a window at the same time.

Stacked canvases are displayed in a window along with the window’s content canvas(es) and

any number of other stacked canvases. You can set the bevel, color, and pattern attributes of a

stacked canvas to make it look different than the underlying content canvas.

Creating a stacked canvas is similar to creating a content canvas. To define a stacked canvas,

you need to set certain canvas properties that apply only to stacked canvases, and create items

and boilerplate text and graphics as you would for a content canvas. To convert an existing

content canvas to a stacked canvas, simply change its Canvas Type property from Content to

Stacked.

Tab Canvas:

A tab canvas—made up of one or more tab pages—allows you to group and display a large

amount of related information on a single dynamic Oracle Forms canvas object. Like stacked

canvases, tab canvases are displayed on top of a content canvas, partly obscuring it. Tab

pages (that collectively comprise the tab canvas) each display a subset of the information

displayed on the entire tab canvas.

A tab canvas can have many tab pages, and must have at least one. Think of tab pages as the

folders in a filing system. Each individual tab page (folder) has a labelled tab that developers

and end users click to access the page. At design time or runtime, you click the labelled tab to

display the page at the front of the tab canvas, thereby obscuring any other page(s).

Tab pages are sub-objects of a tab canvas. Like the canvas to which it is attached, each tab

page has properties; similarly, any item you place on a tab canvas has a canvas property as

well as tab page properties. The ordering of tab pages in the Object Navigator determines the

left-to-right (or top-to-bottom) order of the tabs at runtime.

Toolbar Canvas:

A toolbar canvas often is used to create toolbars for individual windows. You can create two

types of toolbar canvases: horizontal or vertical. Horizontal toolbar canvases are displayed at

the top of a window, just under its menu bar, while vertical toolbars are displayed along the far

left edge of a window.

You can create toolbar canvases, both horizontal and vertical, for any window in a form. Oracle

Forms displays horizontal toolbar canvases across the top of a window, and vertical toolbar

canvases on the left edge of a window.

When you create a toolbar canvas, you assign it to a window by setting the canvas Window

property, and then register it with the window by setting the window’s Vertical Toolbar Canvas or

Horizontal Toolbar Canvas properties as appropriate. You can change the appearance of a

toolbar at runtime by dynamically showing and hiding different items on the toolbar. You also

can create more than one toolbar for the same window, and display them in response to

navigation events and programmatic control, much like stacked canvases assigned to the same

window.

Leave a commentPosted by Dibyajyoti Koch on July 27, 2010 in Forms

Tags: Canvas, Content Canvas, Oracle Forms, Stacked Canvas, Tab Canvas, Tab Pages, Toolbar Canvas, Various Canvas

Types

OPEN_FORM vs. CALL_FORM vs. NEW_FORM23JUL

OPEN_FORM vs. CALL_FORM vs. NEW_FORMA multiple-form application is designed to open more than one form module during a single

Forms Runtime session. Every Form’s Runtime session begins the same way—with a single

form module being loaded into memory. Once the first form module begins execution, it can

programmatically invoke any number of additional form modules, which, in turn, can invoke still

other forms.

When a form module programmatically invokes another, Oracle Forms looks for the new module

in the appropriate directory and then loads it into memory.

Lets see the following three Built-ins to invoke one form from another.

OPEN_FORM Built-inThis built-in opens the indicated form. Use OPEN_FORM to create multiple-form applications,

that is, applications that open more than one form at the same time.

Enter Query Mode: no

Syntax:

PROCEDURE OPEN_FORM

03

(formmodule_name VARCHAR2,

04

05

activate_mode NUMBER,

06

07

session_mode NUMBER,

08

09

data_mode NUMBER,

10

11 paramlist_id PARAMLIST);

Where:

formmodule_name: The name of the form to open. Datatype is VARCHAR2. Required

activate_mode: ACTIVATE: (The default.) Sets focus to the form to make it the active form in the application. NO_ACTIVATE: Opens the form but does not set focus to the form. The current form

remains current.

session_mode: NO_SESSION (The default.): Specifies that the opened form should share the same

database session as the current form. SESSION: Specifies that a new, separate database session should be created for the

opened form.

data_mode NO_SHARE_LIBRARY_DATA (The default.):At runtime, Oracle Forms will not share data

between forms that have identical libraries attached (at design time). SHARE_LIBRARY_DATA: At runtime, Oracle Forms will share data between forms that

have identical libraries attached (at design time).

paramlist_id:

The unique ID that Oracle Forms assigns to the parameter list at the time it is created.

CALL_FORM Built-in:Runs an indicated form while keeping the parent form active. Oracle Forms runs the called form

with the same Runform preferences as the parent form. When the called form is exited Oracle

Forms processing resumes in the calling form at the point from which you initiated the call to

CALL_FORM.

Enter Query Mode: yes

Syntax:

PROCEDURE CALL_FORM

03


04

05

display NUMBER,

06

07

switch_menu NUMBER,

08

09

query_mode NUMBER,

10

11

data_mode NUMBER,

12

13 paramlist_name VARCHAR2);

Where:

formmodule_name: The name of the called form (must be enclosed in single quotes). Datatype is VARCHAR2.

display: HIDE (The default.): Oracle Forms will hide the calling form before drawing the called form. NO_HIDE: Oracle Forms will display the called form without hiding the calling form.

switch_menu NO_REPLACE (The default.): Oracle Forms will keep the default menu module of the calling

form active for the called form. DO_REPLACE: Oracle Forms will replace the default menu module of the calling form with

the default menu module of the called form.

query_mode NO_QUERY_ONLY (The default.): Oracle Forms will run the indicated form in normal mode,

allowing the end user to perform inserts, updates, and deletes from within the called form. QUERY_ONLY: Oracle Forms will run the indicated form in query-only mode, allowing the

end user to query, but not to insert, update, or delete records.

data_mode NO_SHARE_LIBRARY_DATA (The default.): At runtime, Oracle Forms will not share data



paramlist_name The name you gave the parameter list object when you defined it. Datatype is VARCHAR2.

NEW_FORM Built-inExits the current form and enters the indicated form. The calling form is terminated as the parent

form. If the calling form had been called by a higher form, Oracle Forms keeps the higher call

active and treats it as a call to the new form. Oracle Forms releases memory (such as database

cursors) that the terminated form was using. Oracle Forms runs the new form with the same

Runform options as the parent form. If the parent form was a called form, Oracle Forms runs the

new form with the same options as the parent form.

Enter Query Mode: no

Syntax:

PROCEDURE NEW_FORM

03


04

05

rollback_mode NUMBER,

06

07

query_mode NUMBER,

08

09

data_mode NUMBER,

10

11 paramlist_name VARCHAR2);

Where:

formmodule_name Then name of the called form (must be enclosed in single quotes). Datatype is VARCHAR2.

rollback_mode TO_SAVEPOINT (The default.): Oracle Forms will roll back all uncommitted changes

(including posted changes) to the current form’s savepoint. NO_ROLLBACK: Oracle Forms will exit the current form without rolling back to a savepoint. FULL_ROLLBACK: Oracle Forms rolls back all uncommitted changes (including posted

changes) that were made during the current Runform session.

query_mode NO_QUERY_ONLY (The default.) Runs the indicated form normally, allowing the end user

to perform inserts, updates, and deletes in the form. QUERY_ONLY Runs the indicated form in query-only mode; end users can query records,

but cannot perform inserts, updates or deletes.

data_mode NO_SHARE_LIBRARY_DATA (The default.): At runtime, Oracle Forms will not share data



paramlist_name The name you gave the parameter list object when you defined it. Datatype is VARCHAR2.

faqs in oracle forms

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