About Run Form

The Run Form feature runs a form through a Web browser by default.

To run a form in a Web browser:

You can specify a default browser for running your Form by selecting Edit | Preferences from the main menu, then Runtime in the Preferences dialog that appears.

The Forms Builder launches a Web browser and specifies the URL to run the Form. For the Form to run, there must be an HTTP listener already started. Oracle Developer Suite provides the OC4J HTTP Listener.

Starting the OC4J HTTP Listener

The HTTP Listener needs only to be started once. You don't need to start it every time you run a form from the Builder. Once the HTTP Listener is running, you can iterate between developing and running your Forms from the Builder as much as you like. When you are finished developing in Forms, and the HTTP Listener is no longer needed, you may stop it.

To start the OC4J HTTP Listener on Windows:

To start the OC4J HTTP Listener on UNIX platforms:

Stopping the OC4J HTTP Listener

To stop the OC4J HTTP Listener on Windows:

To stop the OC4J HTTP Listener on UNIX platforms:

Specifying the URL to run your Form

By default, the OC4J HTTP Listener port number is 8889. To verify that the HTTP Listener is working correctly, enter the following URL in a Web browser and ensure the default welcome page appears:

http://127.0.0.1:8889/j2ee

You'll also need to specify the application server URL by selecting Edit | Preferences..., then the Runtime tab in Oracle Forms. You must specify the machine address, port number, and the location of the Forms servlet. You can select Reset to Default if you are unsure of the URL to the Forms servlet. For example:

http://127.0.0.1:8889/forms/frmservlet

You can also add valid Forms URL parameters if necessary, such as specifying a particular application that is configured in the formsweb.cfg file. For example:

http://127.0.0.1:8889/forms/frmservlet?config=myApp

Identifying the Form you want to run

Note: URL parameters may be restricted by the Forms administrator, and you may be redirected to another page explaining the restrictions. For more information, see the Oracle Application Server Forms Services Deployment Guide.

About Hard-Coded Fonts

Oracle Forms has several places where text is displayed, but where the object in question is not exposed through the Builder, or does not expose a Font Property.

For example:

It is not obvious where the font comes for these objects and in several cases (e.g. Console line, Help dialog) the value is hardcoded into the Forms Applet. This hard-coded font in the Console and Field Help Dialog is 12pt Sans Serif.


Application Server URL

Selecting a Web Browser to Run Forms

Running a Form in Debug Mode