Tutorial: Creating a Component Similar to Super LOV Using Native Components

I had a lot of fun contributing to Super LOV. Unfortunately, it's not being maintained much these days and it doesn't work so well in APEX 5.0. But is it even needed in APEX 5?

In this post I'll show you how to create a custom component that's very similar to Super LOV, only we'll use a native component recipe that includes a Modal Page, an Interactive Report, some Dynamic Actions, and (you knew this was coming) some custom JavaScript. The result is pretty awesome! Here's a link to a demo if you'd like to see it in action.

Tutorial: Using JavaScript and APEX_JSON to Create an Editable IR Column

As a general rule APEX developers should stick to the built-in, declarative components in APEX to build applications. These are, after all, what make APEX developers so productive! But like most rules, this one has exceptions. Perhaps you hit a limitation or want to do something a little differently to improve the user experience. In times like these you have to write some code - maybe a lot of code. But you know what, even writing custom code is getting easier with each release of APEX!

Believe it or not, there was once a time when jQuery wasn't included - you had to manually add it if you wanted to use it. Of course now it's included, but it's only necessary if Dynamic Actions (your first line of defense) aren't sufficient. In addition to jQuery, JavaScript APIs were added to APEX to help ease client side development. Now, with APEX 5.0 we have APEX_JSON - a PL/SQL API for generating and working with JSON in the database. What did we do before APEX_JSON? Never mind, some memories are just too painful...

Migrating from the Modal Page Plug-in to APEX 5 Modal Pages

While chatting with Roel Hartman many moons ago, he asked if I could build a plug-in that would help open APEX pages in modal dialogs. At the time I was working on another plug-in with Jason Lyle that we were calling Super LOV, so I told him it would have to wait a bit. Despite Roel's worry that his request would go to the end of an endless line of other priorities, two months later he was playing with the prototype. He told me, "This will be the 'killer-plug-in.'"

ORCLAPEX NYC Meetup - October 2015

Our next ORCLAPEX NYC meetup will be on Thursday, October 1st - just one week away! I'll be presenting on creating custom UIs using JavaScript and APEX_JSON, Tim Chambers will cover font end builds in APEX, Josh Millinger will present on Integrating APEX and SQL Server, and Marc Sewtz will present something awesome (TBD)!

Also, I'll be giving away a free copy of the recently published Expert Oracle Application Express, 2nd Edition!

If your in the NYC area and want to learn more about the best framework for writing enterprise web applications on Oracle Database, come check it out! http://www.meetup.com/ORCLAPEX-NYC/events/225353731/

Migrating from the Navbar Plug-in to the builtin Navigation Menu

While working at Enkitec I built a plug-in called Navbar which was really a port of Bootstrap's Navbar component. The plug-in was really successful in the APEX community because it provided nested tabs for primary navigation, was list based and thus easier to use than tabs, and it looked pretty good!

APEX 5.0 makes this plug-in, as well as tabs for that matter, obsolete. That's right, I said it, tabs are obsolete! Take a moment to do your happy dance and continue reading when you're ready... :D

A New Job and a New Chapter

I am pleased to announce that, as of today, I have joined Oracle. But before I get into the details of my new job, I want to say something about my last.

My experience at the Accenture Enkitec Group was both amazing and unforgettable. The work was challenging, stimulating, and genuinely rewarding. But it's the people at Enkitec whom I'll miss the most. From the APEX team (which I spoke with nearly daily) all the way to the top, the folks at Enkitec are some of the best and brightest I've ever worked with. I wish them all continued success and the best of luck (though I doubt they'll need the luck)!

ORCLAPEX NYC Meetup - September 2014

We recently scheduled our next ORCLAPEX NYC meetup for September the 19th. This time around we'll have a round table discussion and I'll be presenting on JavaScript for APEX developers. If you're in the NYC area be sure to check it out! If you're not in the NYC area have a look at http://apexmeetups.com to see if there's an APEX meetup a bit closer to home.

I hope to see you there!