From a developer's perspective, importing and installing an application is a complicated process. First, you create the target database objects and seed data. Second, you import and install the application definition and all related files, including images, themes, and any other required static files.
Creating a custom packaged application using the Supporting Objects utility greatly simplifies this process. Instead of performing numerous steps to create the database objects and then import and install the application and all supporting files, you can define the supporting objects so that the application and supporting files can be migrated in a few easy steps.
After users import and install the application definition, a wizard guides them through a few simple configuration steps. Then, the wizard asks whether to install the supporting application objects. Users have the option of installing the supporting application objects then or doing it later.
From a developer's perspective, this feature has many advantages:
Ensures that the supporting objects are created in the correct order.
Provides an automated process for deploying an application quickly using very few steps.
Gives users the option to install supporting application objects when they import and install the application definition or at a later time. See "Installing Supporting Objects".
Enables users and developers with a convenient method for removing the application definition, supporting files, and all database objects. See "Deinstalling Supporting Objects".
Provides users and developers with an easy way to upgrade a previously released custom packaged application. See "Upgrading a Custom Packaged Application".
Plus, you can also take advantage of the Deinstall and Install features to quickly edit the underlying database objects that support an application. For example, you can deinstall and remove all database objects, edit the underlying database object creation scripts, and reinstall to create the redefined application objects.