Andrejus Baranovski

In 11g it becomes quite common use case to structure application page with tabbed panels. If you develop your pages based on templates, most probably there will be separate area for buttons implemented with af:toolbar tag. And this area will not be included into tabbed panel, since template usually will not contain panel elements. Here is example of such structure:


You will face a problem with this structure, when there will be requirement to display different sets of buttons based on different tab (in Oracle ADF, currently opened tab is called - disclosed). This means, area with buttons should be updated, each time user changes current tab.

You can download sample application, where described case is implemented - TabsButtonsDynamic.zip. This sample contains three tabs - Countries, Jobs and Departments. Based on tab currently selected, different buttons are rendered. However, all buttons are initially created on the page, just rendered conditionally.

There are three steps, in order to have buttons conditionally rendered based on currently disclosed tab:

1. Disclosure Listener

Since there is no AutoSubmit property for Tab component, we will use DisclosureListener in order to catch event, when current tab is disclosed:


In this case, we can use the same DisclosureListener for all Tabs.

2. Partial Target

Generated DisclosureListener method will contain only one line of code - it will refresh af:toolbar area with buttons.


As you have noticed, there is no need to refresh each button individually, its enough to apply partial target to toolbar.

3. Rendered property

Each button should have conditional Rendered property.


This property will return boolean value based on currently disclosed tab.

Thats all, really simple and straightforward solution.

If you will run developed sample application, you will notice 4 buttons displayed while in Countries tab - First, Previous, Next and Last:


There will be 2 buttons in Jobs tab - Create and Save:


Finally, 1 button in Departments tab - Save:

Today I got email from Oracle people about Oracle ACE "Office Hours" activity in the OTN Lounge during Oracle OpenWorld 2008.

Main idea of those "Office Hours" is to create opportunity for Oracle ACE's and Oracle ACE Directors to meet with conference participants and to answer possible questions.

I will be on duty after lunch on Monday, September 22 and will be happy to discuss daily things related to JDeveloper/ADF development, and not only...

See you there !

I'm using Apple Mac Book Pro for about half of a year, but shame for me all this time I was running Windows OS using Apple Boot Camp solution. This product allows to install and run Windows OS on Apple computer exactly the same as on usual PC.

However, I decided to switch to Mac OS X Leopard and to do my work under this OS. I'm glad for this decision, looks like Mac OS is increasing my productivity through user-friendly and helpful interface environment :)

For my usual work I need Oracle XE database, Oracle SQL Developer and Oracle JDeveloper. Its only one little problem with Oracle XE, since this database is not supported in Mac OS. But, it is supported in Ubuntu Linux, so I installed Ubuntu as Virtual Machine (using VMware Fusion) and configured Oracle XE in this OS:


I have installed Oracle XE on Ubuntu using help from this tutorial - Installing Oracle XE on Debian, Ubuntu, and Kubuntu.

In order to use Oracle XE service from Mac OS, I just need to access database using IP assigned for Ubuntu VM by VMware Fusion:


JDeveloper 11g can be launched directly in Mac OS. Before running JDeveloper, I have downloaded and installed JVM from SUN. In order to run JDeveloper under Mac OS its enough to double-click jdev script file available in JDEV_HOME/jdev/bin directory:


For example, ADF BC wizard with applied Mac OS theme looks like this:


If you dont like it, its possible to use default JDeveloper theme even in Mac OS:


This image shows how JDeveloper looks with Mac OS theme:


And finally, application developed with JDeveloper 11g is running in Mozilla Firefox 3.0:

You can build very cool systems, based on excellent architecture design, with ADF BC or EJB in Model layer and with ADF Task Flows in View Controller layer. However, when it comes time for functional test, tester can break all things only with one question - why when I pressed Apply button and at the same time have pressed couple of other buttons, I got some unexpected result? Well, you probably will answer - you need to wait after Apply button is pressed some minute until operation will be finished and only after it will be done you can press other buttons. I'm sure, tester will not be satisfied with such answer, and application will not be accepted. However, things are not so bad as you can imagine, Frank Nimphius have described how to block page screen during long operation - How-to build a reusable Glasspane in ADF Faces RC. Please read Frank's article, before reading my post, since current post is completely based on it. Here I will describe with sample application how to refresh the screen to show the visual results of the long running operation.

Developed sample application - GlassPaneTest.zip is based on HR schema from Oracle XE database and implements one JSPX page with search form and results table. When you will open this application in JDeveloper 11g, be sure GlassPane reusable component (JAR file) is in correct path. You can check this in JSP Tag Libraries section by opening Project Properties for ViewController:


In this application I'm running two 'long' operations:

1. filterEmployees(String firstName, String lastName) custom method from Application Module implementation class
2. Simple Commit action
   

In both methods I'm using Thread.sleep(5000) in order to make those operations artificially longer. filterEmloyees custom method code:


Here is the code from Backing bean, where Glasspane is launched and closed:


There are 3 additions comparing to original Frank Nimphius article:

1. In onAction(ActionEvent actionEvent) method, I'm storing Id of button component that currently activates Glasspane. I'm doing this, in order to know what logic should I invoke in queryToLaunch(ClientEvent evt) method.
2. When Glasspane component is activated, it calls back queryToLaunch(ClientEvent evt) method. In this method I'm accessing stored variable with currently pressed button Id and invoking appropriate functionality.
3. In order to present visual changes when operation is finished, I'm calling refreshCurrentPage() method that is doing refresh of the current page:

When I'm running this application and doing Search operation, Glasspane appears and not allows to do any changes until operation is not finished:


After operation is finished and result is returned, Glasspane disappears and user can continue his/her work:


Same applies for Save button, during Commit operation screen is blocked and user can relax until operation will be done and Glasspane will disappear :)


Additionally, in ADF Faces RC its possible to use Blocking=True property for buttons. However in most cases its not useful, since user still can do changes on the screen.

Useful Update:

While integrating Glass Pane solution into our project, JDeveloper/ADF developer have found nice improvement. Instead of using refreshCurrentPage() method you can set PartialTriggers property for af:form tag and indicate dependency with Glass Pane popup (for example, in my sample application it will be - af:form partialtriggers="gp:busyPopup"). With this setting, page content is refreshed after popup is closed, without rerendering full page.

Good news for all JDeveloper/ADF developers - ADF development methodology is in the process, Oracle community is defining it and it'll be available soon. You can track our progress on Oracle Wiki page - ADF Methodology. I believe this methodology will help a lot in daily life, since it will be good reference with descriptions how things should be done in JDeveloper/ADF.

I know its always fun to develop prototypes, but when you in real project, usually you need to have some standard about how to structure application packages, how to define names for components in Model and ViewController layers, and how to find meaningful names for navigation links in application Task Flow. Other important area - reusability. Developers always should reuse code, however how its to do better in ADF, will be described in ADF Methodology. Everyone is free to suggest topics for ADF Methodology, just visit our page on Oracle Wiki.

If you will be on OOW'08, you can register here and attend workshop dedicated to ADF Methodology. Also, you can see how work is progressing on Google Groups - here.

I hope ADF Methodology For The Masses will be same cool as songs from Depeche Mode album - Music For The Masses :-)

See you there in San Francisco !

I was posting some time ago, Oracle selected my abstract to be presented on OOW'08 in San Francisco - Oracle Open World 2008 - Abstract Accepted.

Here is my session details:

Session ID: S300476
Session Title: Oracle Maps in Oracle JDeveloper 11g: A Perfect Combination
Track: Oracle Develop: Java
Date/Time: Monday 09/22/2008 13:00 - 14:00
Venue/Room: Marriott Salon 03

Here is the sample screen of application I will explain during my session:


See you there, in San Francisco !

During this week I have faced an issue with LOV functionality when form is switched to Find mode. I got reply from Oracle, this issue is a bug in JDeveloper 11g. However, for those who need to use LOV components in Find mode in your current project, I will provide temporary workaround. Temporary, I hope until next JDeveloper 11g build.

You can download sample application, where LOV in Find mode works with applied workaround - LOVFindMode.zip. Developed sample contains one form with LOV component.


Its possible to switch this form to Find mode by pressing Find button.


Before describing workaround, I want to remind you about one trick I have noticed with LOV read-only View objects. When you generate Model layer using ADF Business Components From Tables wizard, KeyAttributes property for read-only LOV View objects is not set for some reason. As a result, after value in LOV popup is selected:


Nothing is returned back:


In order to fix this, open your read-only View object you are using for LOV:


And specify key attributes, you can do this directly in XML or through wizard:


Ok, now let's back to main topic of this post - workaround for LOV when form is in Find mode. At first, you can ask - where is the problem? Its easy to answer - select value from LOV popup for first time:


Press LOV icon second time, in order to change selected value - oracle.jbo.SQLStmtException: JBO-27122 is thrown:


For some reason, ADF constructs SQL statement with :vc_temp_1 bind variable, and this variable is not initialized:

oracle.jbo.SQLStmtException: JBO-27122: SQL error during statement preparation. Statement: SELECT Employees.EMPLOYEE_ID, Employees.FIRST_NAME, Employees.LAST_NAME, Employees.EMAIL, Employees.PHONE_NUMBER, Employees.HIRE_DATE, Employees.JOB_ID, Employees.SALARY, Employees.COMMISSION_PCT, Employees.MANAGER_ID, Employees.DEPARTMENT_ID FROM EMPLOYEES Employees WHERE (( (Employees.JOB_ID LIKE :vc_temp_1 ) ) AND Employees.EMPLOYEE_ID = :1)

java.sql.SQLException: Missing IN or OUT parameter at index:: 1

Its Oracle bug, and they will fix it next build, but for those who need to use LOV in Find mode with TP4, may be my workaround will be helpful.

While researching this problem, I have noticed that value from LOV is returned still correctly, even after exception is thrown. So, workaround is simple - just to hide generated exception. In 11g you can use centralized custom error handler class where reported exceptions can be managed.


This class should extend from DCErrorHandlerImpl class and should be registered in DataBindings.cpx file:


I'm catching generated exception in overrided reportException method and not reporting it, all other exceptions are reported as normal:


When this workaround is applied, you can open LOV popup when form is in Find mode as many times as you want - no error popup, and value from LOV is returned:


If you will check your server log, you will find entry that indicates information about catched but not reported exception:

I was informed this week, my paper - ADF Task Flow - Based On Practical JDeveloper 11g Experience is selected for UKOUG 2008 Conference (1st - 5th December 2008, ICC, Birmingham).

Really good news for me and I was happy to hear because this year it was high competition for abstract selection, read Grant Ronald blog post - UKOUG Paper selection bun fight.

During my session I will talk and will demonstrate how we are using ADF Task Flow features in our projects. You should expect deep technical level presentation, see you there in December ;-)

I was in Bulgaria last year Sofia - Beautiful City and this year I'm going again. I'm invited to deliver presentation on BGOUG (Bulgarian Oracle User Group) Conference during October 24th - 26th in Bansko.

My session title - Business Rules Implementation with JDeveloper/ADF 11g. Main problem that will be addressed in this session is about how to map business rules implemented in Oracle Forms to Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. I will give clear understanding about common business rules in Oracle Forms world and how to develop those rules in J2EE world with ADF Business Components in Model layer, ADF Task Flow in Controller layer and ADF Faces Rich Client in View layer.

It was great time on ODTUG Kaleidoscope 2008 in New Orleans this year. Frans Thamura, Oracle ACE Director and friend from Indonesia, have posted on his blog pics from this event - ODTUG 2008 Gallery. Enjoy ! :)

By default, when you create new application in JDeveloper based on Fusion Web Application (ADF) template, two projects are generated - Model and ViewController. However, very often in real projects its not practical to have all ADF BC components just in one Model project. With one very big Model project it becomes quite complex to maintain application and usually when there are let's say around 200 components in one Model project, tool starts to work more slowly.

So, as you probably understood, there is a best practice to separate Model project into smaller projects and reuse ADF BC components across those projects. Goal of this post will be to tell you how to do Model project splitting. You can download sample application I have developed - ADFBC_Import.zip. As usually, this application is based on standard HR schema, available in Oracle XE database.

Developed sample contains three projects - Model, ModelShared and ViewController:


ModelShared holds one EO - Countries, this component will be imported into main Model project. In order to import and use Countries in separate Model project, we need to build JAR file for ModelShared:


Only Countries EO and ModelShared.jpx (describes ADF Business Components in current project) will be included into JAR file:


When Deployment Profile is declared, just build JAR file for ModelShared:


Now, we can reuse Countries EO in main Model project, and build Associations, View Links, View Objects based on imported Countries EO, even it is not visible in current project structure:


Import is done in Model.jpx, ADF BC description file, by adding JAR file with ModelShared project:


When import will be done, you can see imported Counties EO in all ADF BC wizards for Model project. For example, its possible to create Association between Regions and imported Countries:


Its possible in standard way to create VO based on imported EO:


Data Control structure in Application Module also can reflect Master-Detail relationship between normal VO (RegionsView) and VO (CountriesView) which based on imported EO:


And finally, everything works on single Web page: Master-Detail relationship between Regions and Countries:

During ODTUG Kaleidoscope 2008, I was discussing with Shaun O'Brien (Principal Product Manager from Oracle Development Tools group) about new functionality offered in JDeveloper 11g - development of customizable applications with MDS. This functionality is very critical for us - consultants, because its very common requirement when there is a need to have the same application but with smaller or bigger differences for different clients. In this blog post, I will not describe how to enable MDS functionality in your application, because you can find all needed information for this topic on OTN, read this Cue Card - Customize and Personalize an Application. What I will show in this blog, is how you can apply MDS in your project from first day - develop customized validation rules.

My blog post is based on sample application I have created - MDSValidation.zip. MDS functionality is enabled based on the steps provided in Cue Card I have mentioned. In order to run this application in your environment, you will need to deploy a customization class - right click on Model project, and select Deploy -> to JAR file. After JAR file will be created, ensure it is available in JDEVELOPER_HOME\jdev\lib\patches\ directory.

Developed application don't use any customizations in ViewController layer, only in Model. When I was developing it, at first I have generated ADF BC, have created ADF Task Flow and implemented JSPX page - nothing new, just common steps. When application was done, I decided to add 2 profiles - headquarters and remoteoffices. With headquarters profile active, validation rule is applied for Salary attribute in Employees entity. With remoteoffices profile active, no validation rules are applied. So, first things I did - I have deployed and registered customization class - SiteCC. Also have created customization.properties file, where active profile for my application is set:


After those 2 things were done, I have switched my JDeveloper 11g TP4 to Customization Developer role, in order to apply specific validation rule for headquarters profile:


JDeveloper 11g have restarted in order to apply required settings and I got Customizations Property tab available:


With headquarters role selected, I have opened Employees entity object wizard and defined specific validation rule on Entity level in order to compare Salary value with Minimal and Maximal salary values allowed for specific Job assigned for Employee:


When this rule was defined, metadata file related to headquarters role was created by JDeveloper. This metadata file contains customizations applied for selected role:


Ok, validation rule specific for selected role is defined, now we can switch back JDeveloper 11g to Default Role mode:


When JDeveloper 11g restarts in Default Mode, you can open Employees entity object wizard again, and check Validators section - no Validation rules. Its because, we have defined validation rule only for headquarters role and customizations are applied not only on runtime, but in development mode also:


When application will be deployed in production, its enough to set profile information in customization file:


And since there are no validation rules defined for remoteoffices profile, there is no validation applied for Salary attribute:


But, if second deployment will have different setting in customization file:


Validation rule defined for headquarters will be applied:


Looks like MDS is really very powerful feature in new JDeveloper release - JDeveloper 11g.

In JDeveloper 11g, with a help of Oracle ADF framework you can in easy and straightforward way add security to your application. And this way is based on declarative approach, no coding is needed. Main goal of this post is not to describe about how to configure security, but more about how it can be applied in your applications.

Let's take a case when there is a requirement to open the same form in different modes (editable/read-only) for users with different sets of roles assigned. With JDeveloper 11g you can implement this requirement in 3 quick steps. I will describe those steps here, also you can download developed sample application - DeclarativeSecurity.zip. In order to run this sample, you need to have standard HR schema in your database. Additionally, you need to use this system-jazn-data.xml file, where two users are defined - john (managers) and scott (clerks). For both users password - welcome is defined.

Three steps you need to use in order to implement declarative security:

1. Entity Object level security

This step will allow to secure row data. In Entity Object wizard, define Security Operation Mapping. I have secured two standard Actions - Update and Delete for Jobs Entity:


When security options are defined, specify authorization for Jobs Entity. In my sample, I allowed Update and Delete actions only for users with managers role:


2. Page Definition level security

In this step we will secure Actions defined in Page Definition:


Example of Security definition for Delete action:


In Authorization settings, I have specified Delete action availability only for managers role:


3. Expression Language

And last step is to specify using EL, disabled property for button component. This will allow to have button in disabled state, when user is not authorized to perform associated action. EL expression is pointing to Action security in Page Definition:


All 3 steps are explained, now will show how it works. At first, let's login as scott user, this user have clerks role assigned:


Security definition in Entity Object makes row data read-only, since clerks are not allowed to modify it. Delete button also appears disabled:


But, what is nice, when Search Find button is pressed, Oracle ADF automatically puts form into Find mode:


And finally, when entering using john account:


Since john is granted with permission to update and delete existing rows, form appears in edit mode with Save and Delete buttons enabled:

After my last week presentation on ODTUG Kaleidoscope'08 - Development with Oracle JDeveloper/ADF 11g Reusing 10g Best Practices, I was discussing with a guy from auditory and he have talked to me about problems with remote task flow invocation in JDeveloper 11g. So, in this post I will cover this topic. Generally speaking, possibility to call remote task flow is new feature in JDeveloper 11g and there are still problems in Technology Preview 4 in this area. You can refer to OTN Forum post - TP4 error with calling remote taskflow. Actually, currently it works, but only when calling remote task flow directly with complete URL. In my sample application I have implemented this case.

You can download two parts - JobsLocal.zip and JobsRemote.zip. Those two parts are completely separate applications, however from JobsLocal I'm calling remote task flow available in JobsRemote application. Implemented functionality - in JobsLocal user can select Job from a table and pass selected Job key to remote application, where master-detail form for Job and Employees is opened according to passed key value. Both applications are implemented based on HR schema from Oracle XE database.

JobsRemote application contains bounded task flow - this task flow is called from JobsLocal:


You can notice back control flow case pointing to URL View activity. This activity is used when going back from Remote application - in this case I'm going back by calling jobs page from Local application by URL:


If you will run this sample on your local computer, make sure that you are using correct URL.

Task flow in JobsRemote application accepts parameter for setCurrentRowWithKeyValue action:


When task flow in Remote application is defined and components on the page are created, its time to create deployment profile - ADF Library JAR File. We will pack our Remote application as JAR file in order to use defined task flow in Local application:


In order to create JAR after deployment profile is set, just right-click on ViewController and choose Deploy -> Deployment Profile Name -> to ADF Library:


Now its time for JobsLocal application, at first add generated JAR library to Application Resources by selecting New Connection -> File System... in JDeveloper 11g section called Application Resources:


In opened dialog - Create File System Connection, provide Connection Name and Directory Path. Optionally you can Test connection and if Status is positive press OK button:


Library with JobsRemote application task flow is added and you can drag and drop it to the task flow in JobsLocal:


When you will drag and drop it, JDeveloper 11g will create it as Task Flow Call activity:


Only one thing you will need to do is to provide URL for remote application. In our case, I'm constructing URL dynamically in Backing bean method (make sure it is correct in your environment):


getRemoteTaskFlowURL() method retrieves selected row key from Jobs table and adds it as a parameter to remote task flow URL. I'm using the same name for parameter as it is defined in task flow from JobsRemote application.

You can run both applications in parallel directly from JDeveloper 11g, just you will need to use Integrated OC4J option, by default Embedded OC4J option is used. You can switch just by opening Tools -> Java EE Runtime Preferences.

At first, you will need to run bounded task flow from JobsRemote application, since this task flow is called from JobsLocal.

When JobsRemote will be up and running, run jobs.jspx page available in JobsLocal application, you will get similar screen:


In my case I have selected row with JobId = SA_MAN. When Edit Job button is pressed, it navigates to task flow available in remote application - JobsRemote by passing selected job key value:


Remote application is opened with correct data for provided key. You can edit and save data from this screen. Button - Back, through URL call will navigate to original jobs.jspx page in JobsLocal application:

Today was my last day in New Orleans, going home tomorrow - yesterday was last day of ODTUG Kaleidoscope'08. I decided to spend some time today for tourism activities and visit New Orleans swamp where alligators live. I was using New Orleans High Speed Airboat tour, it was cool, I recommend it for everyone who will be there. Yes..., alligators also are friendly, sometimes... :-)

During this year ODTUG Kaleidoscope'08 conference, almost everyone is talking and comparing APEX with ADF and ADF with APEX. It sounds quite funny for me and just a waste of time in most of the cases. Both products are good and both have areas where can be used. However, APEX is not a central and strategic tool in Oracle. JDeveloper/ADF is strategic combination and powers next generation of Oracle Applications.

Basically speaking, as Tom Kyte said during his "How Do You Know What You Know..." keynote on Sunday - "APEX is a database browser". APEX power is in rapid and departmental style applications, when user friendly database interface is needed.

JDeveloper/ADF is a different story, this technology allows to develop organization wide system and to solve so important nowadays integration problems.

I have heard, it happens in organizations with dominant PL/SQL expertise, that people suggest to develop complete enterprise systems only with APEX :-) In my personal opinion, both APEX and ADF are the best in their areas, just its very dangerous to think like this - "since I'm expert in this product, I can do everything only with this product".

During Fat Tuesday event on ODTUG Kaleidoscope'08 I got funny picture of myself. Sure, it will be good souvenir and will remind me New Orleans :-)

I'm enjoying this year ODTUG Kaleidoscope conference. I already did my two presentations, Development with Oracle JDeveloper/ADF 11g Reusing 10g Best Practices was on Monday (June 16) and "Oracle Forms Conversion to ADF 11g at VGO" was yesterday (June 17) during Oracle ACE Directors briefing. Presentation on Monday was well attended and I met a couple of my blog readers ;-)

My colleague - Rob Nocera, was presenting "Using ADF 11g as Platform for Oracle Client/Server Forms Conversions" topic and he got very good feedback from audience. He was doing demo during his presentation as well.

Most interesting sessions I have attended are those:

• "The State of the Fusion Address - Fusion Middleware Project Status Report" by Duncan Mills (Oracle Corporation)
  
• "Service Oriented Development with Oracle ADF Business Components and BPEL" by Shaun O'Brien and Clemens Utschig (Oracle Corporation)
  
• "Keeping Your Leftovers Fresh with JDeveloper - New Reusability Features in 11g" by Shaun O'Brien (Oracle Corporation)

I got clear view during this conference - Oracle Fusion Middleware is not anymore something abstract and unclear. Oracle FMW became focused on Oracle ADF framework, based on ADF Business Components. Its not a surprise, since new generation of Oracle Applications is based on this platform. However, Oracle TopLink (available in Model part of Oracle ADF) is used in Oracle SOA related products and solutions.

And of course, its a lot of fun to meet other Oracle ACE Directors with whom you chat almost every day - Chris Muir and Frans Thamura.

Hey New Orleans, I'm arrived to ODTUG Kaleidoscope 2008. I was lucky - no significant flight delays and travel was on time. Only one thing - time difference here is 8 hours comparing to my local time, hope I will not have any jet lag, at least I do not feel it now :)

I will have my presentation - Development with Oracle JDeveloper/ADF 11g Reusing 10g Best Practices on Monday, at 10:30 AM, Napoleon C3 room. It will be right after conference keynote. Everyone is welcome, I will do my best to explain how things in JDeveloper 11g work.

My second presentation will be during Oracle Fusion Middleware Product Briefing for Oracle ACE Directors. Oracle invited me to present about JDeveloper/ADF 11g projects I'm involved in. Presentation title - "Oracle Forms Conversion to ADF 11g at VGO". I will talk how we are adopting Oracle FMW 11g and how work is progressing.

ODTUG Kaleidoscope is one of the best Oracle technical conferences, I'm sure will get a lot of knowledge here by attending this year sessions - abstracts.

I have very exciting news - my abstract for Oracle Open World 2008 session is accepted by Oracle and I will represent Vgo Software on this event. I will be presenting on the following topic - "Oracle Maps in JDeveloper 11g - Perfect Combination".

Actually, it was extremely good news for me, since there was only 5 (2.5 for Database and 2.5 for FMW) free slots available for Oracle ACE Directors submitted abstracts. So, I'm really happy, to take 1 slot from 2.5 available :-)

You can read about Oracle Maps combination with JDeveloper in my previous blog posts. I will provide detailed information about my presentation more close to the event.