Keyboard Shortcuts:
← → Navigate | Ctrl+F Search | ? Help

What is Oracle APEX?

A Modern, AI-Powered Low-Code Platform

Definition & Overview

  • Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a modern, low-code development platform for building scalable, secure, and feature-rich enterprise web apps—20x faster and with 100x less code.
  • APEX is a fully supported, no-cost feature of Oracle Database and Oracle Autonomous Database.
  • Includes AI-powered features, such as the APEX AI Assistant, which lets you build apps and generate SQL using natural language prompts.
  • Runs entirely within Oracle Database, ensuring zero latency between application and data.
  • Used by over 850,000 developers worldwide, with more than 21 million apps built.
  • Reference: Oracle APEX Official Site

History and Evolution

From HTML DB to APEX

Timeline

  • 2000: Project Marvel (internal Oracle project)
  • 2004: Released as HTML DB
  • 2006: Renamed to Oracle Application Express (APEX)
  • Continuous enhancements: new features, UI improvements, REST support, and more
  • Reference: GeeksforGeeks

Key Features of Oracle APEX

Why Use APEX?

20x
Faster
App Development
100x
Less Code
Low-Code Platform
21M+
Apps Built
Worldwide

AI-Assisted Development

Build apps and write SQL using natural language. Let APEX AI Assistant generate, explain, and debug code for you.

Conversational AI

Add chat-like, natural language interfaces to your apps for a modern user experience.

Data Visualization

Create interactive charts, faceted search, cards, and reports with ease.

Real-Time Analytics

Monitor and analyze your data instantly with built-in dashboards and live reports.

Enterprise Security

Benefit from built-in security, SSO, OAuth2, and Oracle Database’s industry-hardened protection.

REST & API Integration

Easily consume and provide REST APIs. Integrate with Oracle SaaS, cloud, and external data sources.

Mobile & Responsive

Apps are fully responsive and mobile-ready by default—no extra coding needed.

Spreadsheet to App

Convert spreadsheets into secure, web-based apps in minutes.

Prebuilt Productivity Apps

20+ ready-to-use apps for common business needs—customize and extend as you wish.

Globalization

Translate your app UI and localize content for users worldwide.
Reference: Oracle APEX Features

APEX Architecture

How Does APEX Work?

Components

  • Web browser (user interface)
  • Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS) or Embedded PL/SQL Gateway (web listener)
  • APEX Engine (PL/SQL packages inside Oracle DB)
  • Oracle Database (data storage and metadata)
  • Reference: Oracle APEX Architecture
Oracle APEX Architecture Overview
Web Browser (User Interface) Web Listener (ORDS / Gateway) APEX Engine (PL/SQL in DB) DB (Data) HTML Response
User requests flow from browser to database and back as HTML.

APEX Request Workflow

Step-by-Step Request Handling

Sequence of Events

  • User interacts with the app in the browser.
  • Request is sent to the Web Listener (ORDS).
  • ORDS passes the request to the APEX Engine.
  • APEX Engine processes logic and interacts with the database.
  • HTML output is returned to the user’s browser.
APEX Request Sequence
User Web Listener APEX Engine DB HTTP Request Passes Request Query/Update Data Data/Results HTML Output Rendered Page
Shows the step-by-step flow of a user request in Oracle APEX.

Setting Up Oracle APEX

Workspace and Environment

Getting Started

  • APEX is included with all Oracle Database installations
  • Request a workspace on apex.oracle.com or use your own Oracle DB
  • After email confirmation, activate your workspace
  • Log in to the workspace to start building apps
  • Reference: GeeksforGeeks

APEX IDE Overview

Main Areas of the Interface

Key Sections

  • App Builder: Create and manage applications
  • SQL Workshop: Run SQL, manage database objects
  • Team Development: Track tasks, bugs, features
  • Packaged Apps: Ready-to-use sample applications
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Step-by-Step: Creating Your First App

From Workspace to Application

App Creation Process

  1. Log in to your APEX workspace
  2. Click App Builder → Create
  3. Select New Application
  4. Enter app name and description
  5. Add pages (forms, reports, charts, dashboards, etc.)
  6. Configure navigation, authentication, and appearance
  7. Click Create Application
  8. Run the app and explore its features
  9. Reference: GeeksforGeeks

Adding Pages and Components

Forms, Reports, Charts, and More

Page Types

  • Forms: Data entry, CRUD operations
  • Reports: Interactive, classic, faceted search
  • Charts: Bar, line, pie, donut, and more
  • Dashboards: Combine multiple visualizations
  • Calendars, Maps, Wizards, and more
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Customizing Your App

Themes, Navigation, and UI

Personalization Options

  • Choose from built-in themes or create your own
  • Customize navigation menus, icons, and layout
  • Add custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for advanced UI
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

SQL Workshop and Data Management

Working with Data

Key Tools

  • Object Browser: View and manage tables, views, indexes
  • SQL Commands: Run ad-hoc SQL statements
  • SQL Scripts: Save and execute scripts
  • Utilities: Data loading, exporting, RESTful services
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Dynamic Actions and Validations

Making Apps Interactive

Automation and Data Integrity

  • Dynamic Actions: Trigger logic based on user events (click, change, etc.)
  • Show/hide, enable/disable, set values, execute code
  • Validations: Declarative, PL/SQL, client-side, and server-side
  • Prevent invalid data entry and automate workflows
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Security and Authentication

Protecting Your Apps

Built-in Security Features

  • Security is built-in, minimizing risks like SQL injection and XSS.
  • Supports SSO, OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and more.
  • Inherits industry-hardened security, high availability, and scalability from Oracle Database.
  • Session state protection, data encryption, and role-based access control.
  • Reference: Oracle APEX Features

Deploying and Exporting Apps

Moving Apps Between Environments

Deployment Process

  • Export apps as SQL scripts or ZIP files
  • Import into other APEX environments
  • Version control and team development support
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Best Practices and Tips

Building Great APEX Apps

Recommendations

  • Use wizards for rapid prototyping
  • Leverage built-in security features
  • Keep UI simple and intuitive
  • Test thoroughly in all environments
  • Stay updated with APEX releases
  • Reference: Pretius Tutorial

Resources and Further Learning

Where to Go Next

Links

What's New in Oracle APEX 2024

AI, GenAI, and Next-Gen Features

Latest Innovations

  • APEX AI Assistant: Build apps and write SQL using natural language. Explains code and suggests fixes.
  • Create App Assistant: Generate app blueprints from a simple prompt.
  • AI Vector Search: Combine semantic search for documents, images, and unstructured data with business data.
  • Always Free Tier: Build and deploy apps for free with Oracle Cloud Free Tier.
  • Seamless Integration: Works with Oracle Database 23ai, Oracle Cloud, and other cloud providers.

Customer Success Stories

Real-World Impact with APEX

Examples

  • Trailcon: Built a real-time analytics app with APEX and AI, processing 3,000+ invoices monthly with 87% accuracy.
  • Natcorp: HR solution uses APEX and AI to answer user questions instantly, saving time and costs for 600,000+ users.
  • NRI: Reduced application development efforts by 65% with Oracle APEX, enabling faster delivery and lower costs.