Build an APEX (Oracle Application Express) Application

Autonomous Database on Dedicated Exadata Infrastructure supports application development with Oracle Application Express (APEX). Oracle APEX on Autonomous Database provides a preconfigured, fully managed, and secured environment to build and deploy world-class data-centric applications.

Oracle APEX provides you with an easy-to-use browser-based environment to load data, manage database objects, develop REST interfaces, and build applications. There are no limits on the number of developers or end-users for your Oracle APEX applications. Autonomous Database can instantly scale compute and storage online as needed, based upon your workload. Additionally, you can deploy the Oracle APEX applications developed on-premise to Oracle APEX on Autonomous Database, or vice-versa easily.

Configuration, patching, monitoring, and upgrading all Oracle Application Express components are fully managed by Oracle. Thereby, you are free to focus on developing your solutions and solving your business problems. With Oracle APEX and low code, your organization can be more agile and develop solutions faster with less cost and greater consistency. You can adapt to changing requirements with ease. You can empower professional developers and everyone else in your organization to be a part of the solution.

Tip:

For a "try it out" alternative that demonstrates these instructions, run Lab 8: Build APEX Application in the Oracle Autonomous Database Dedicated for Developers and Database Users Workshop.

Related Topics

Access Oracle Application Express in Autonomous Database

Note:

To access Oracle Applications Express, the system you are using must have network access to the Autonomous Database, as described in Configure a Development System to Access the Database.
Learn how to access Oracle Application Express from Autonomous Database on Dedicated Exadata Infrastructure.

By default, only the ADMIN database user has access to Oracle Application Express. Before you can sign in as another database user, the ADMIN user must create a workspace and enable access to the workspace to that user.

To access Oracle Application Express:
  1. In your web browser, sign in to Oracle Cloud and navigate to the Details page for the Autonomous Database. See View Details of a Dedicated Autonomous Database.
  2. Open the Tools tab.
  3. Click Open APEX in the Oracle Application Express tile.
  4. In the Oracle Application Express dialog, click the Copy link in the Access URL field to copy the URL to your clipboard.Description of apex_url.png follows
    Description of the illustration apex_url.png
  5. Paste the access URL into your web browser's address bar to access Oracle Application Express.

    Note:

    As Oracle Application Express uses a private IP address that is only accessible from a Compute instance running with the virtual cloud network (VCN) used by your Autonomous Database, you must paste the access URL into a browser that is running on a compute instance in the VCN.
  6. Enter the following details, and click Sign In:
    • Workspace, to which the ADMIN user enabled access to this database user.
    • Username, the database user with which you are trying to access Oracle APEX.
    • Password of the database user.
  7. Upon signing in successfully, you will see the Oracle Application Express home page with the following features:
    • App Builder enables you to design, develop, and deploy beautiful and responsive web applications.
    • SQL Workshop lets you access your Autonomous Database objects, run SQL queries on them, execute SQL scripts, and load data.
    • Team Development helps you keep track of tasks, features, bugs and feedback for your entire team.
    • App Gallery provides a list of sample and productivity apps that you can install and leverage for your application development.

Access Oracle Application Express Administration Services

Note:

To access Oracle Applications Express, the system you are using must have network access to the Autonomous Database, as described in Configure a Development System to Access the Database.
Learn how to access Oracle Application Express administration services from an Autonomous Database and create a workspace.
To access Oracle Application Express administration services as the ADMIN database user:
  1. Copy the Oracle APEX access URL from your an Autonomous Database Details page, and paste it in your web browser's address bar. For more details, see Access Oracle Application Express in Autonomous Database.

    Note:

    As Oracle Application Express uses a private IP address that is only accessible from a Compute instance running with the virtual cloud network (VCN) used by your Autonomous Database, you must paste the access URL into a browser that is running on a compute instance in the VCN.
  2. On the Sign In page, scroll down to view Tasks.
  3. Click Administration to sign in to administration services.
  4. Enter the following details, and click Sign In:
    • Username: ADMIN
    • Password: The ADMIN password that you defined while creating the Autonomous Database.
  5. Upon signing in successfully, you will see the Oracle Application Express Administration Services home page with different administration options to create and manage workspaces and users, and enable user access to different workspaces.

    Note:

    If you're signing into Oracle Application Express administration services for the first time, you will be prompted to create a workspace. Click the Create Workspace button in the dialog box and provide required details to create the first workspace.
  6. To create more workspaces, click the Create Workspace button from the home page and provide the workspace details as prompted by the wizard.
  7. To create Oracle APEX developer accounts:
    • Click the Manage Workspaces tile from the home page.
    • Click Manage Developers and Users under Workspace Actions.
    • Click Create User and enter the new developer user details.
    See Creating User Accounts in Oracle Application Express Administration Guide for more information.

Upgrade Oracle Application Express Instance

Autonomous Database automatically upgrades your Oracle Application Express instance when you schedule an upgrade through Service Request (SR) in My Oracle Support. You must supply the OCIDs of the tenancy and Autonomous Database for which you request the APEX upgrade, in the SR.

See Create a Service Request in My Oracle Support to learn how to contact Oracle Support for assistance.

Limitations on the Use of Oracle Application Express

This section lists the feature restrictions and limitations of Oracle Application Express when used within the context of an Autonomous Database.

The following limitations are required to protect the security and performance of your Oracle Application Express environment:

  • LDAP Directory application authentication scheme is not supported.

  • Oracle Application Express is only available as a Full Development environment. Converting into a Runtime environment, which minimizes the installed software footprint and removes UI components such as App Builder and Administration Services, is not supported.