13 Integrating Remote Data

The fastest way to work with data in Oracle APEX is to use tables or views in the local database. But many applications also need to integrate with remote data sources.

APEX makes it easy to work with remote Oracle and MySQL databases, REST APIs that follow common patterns such as Fusion Applications, ORDS, and OData services, as well as any other REST API. To simplify working with a set of REST APIs that use custom conventions, create a custom REST Data Source Adapter plug-in to encapsulate their rules and automate their use in your apps.

  • Using Remote Oracle and MySQL Data
    Oracle REST Data Services' REST-Enabled SQL feature lets authenticated remote applications access data in an Oracle database or Oracle Cloud MySQL database system.
  • Configuring Secure Web Credentials
    Use APEX Web Credentials to securely store the authentication details required for REST-Enabled SQL services and other REST API access.
  • Using REST APIs as Data Sources
    To work with data from REST APIs, use a REST Data Source. Each one you create can support one or more standard REST operations to GET, PUT, POST, PATCH, or DELETE data from a REST API whose endpoint URL you configure.
  • Invoking a REST Operation Declaratively
    Use the Invoke API page process to call a REST Data Source operation with no code.
  • Using REST APIs in Code
    Sometimes your applications need to work with REST APIs in code. Using REST Data Sources is the maximally-declarative approach. In contrast, the MAKE_REST_REQUEST function in the APEX_WEB_SERVICE package provides additional control but requires writing more code.
  • Extra Fusion Apps, ORDS, OData Features
    When related REST APIs follow common conventions for data filtering, sorting, attribute selection, object modification, and error reporting, Oracle APEX can provide powerful additional low-code functionality to your apps.
  • Additional REST Data Source Features
    REST Data Sources can cache responses, synchronize reference data, add computed columns, apply declarative filtering and sorting, combine local and remote data, and support custom adapter plug-ins.
  • Debugging REST API Errors
    If you work with REST APIs, one of them might return an error at runtime. Use APEX's built-in debug tracing facility to diagnose the problem and identify a fix.