ApexLib Version 2.0 is released, go over there and download it and enjoy the new functions.

What’s new?

• Automatic integration Script ApexLib_integrate_into_application.sql
• AJAX Computations
• Keyboard Shortcuts for Buttons
• Boolean Checkbox handling
• using jQuery 1.3.2 (namespaced to apexlibJquery)

Have fun using it and maybe drop me a note if you like it or don’t: apexlib@oracleapex.info

Whats new, besides that we switched to a new version, is that we namespaced jQuery to apexlibJquery to avoid conflicts with other libraries or other version of jQuery you might use.

If you used ApexLib’s jQuery up to now this means you have to change the references in your code from jQuery to apexlibJquery and review all jQuery calls if you still use the right syntax (since 1.1.2 some things changed slightly).

Otherwise you still can use the old version 1.1.2 of jQuery parallel to the one coming with ApexLib, this wont get in each others way.

You don’t know what jQuery is or what it does? Then you should definitely go over here and check out some examples and tutorials.

Over the last years me and my colleagues found using either 1/0 or Y/N as most useful solutions.

Now, if you want to visualize Boolean values in an APEX Form you most likely would like to go for a checkbox. Checked means true (1/Y), unchecked means false (0/N).

And there is the problem, APEX only knows one value for a checkbox, this is when it is checked. If the checkbox is not checked it is just NULL.

But instead of NULL we rather would like to store 0/N in the item.

So, what to do? Easy, just use the preconfigured LOV APEXLIB_BOOLEAN_Y_N or APEXLIB_BOOLEAN_1_0

ApexLib ensures, that if the checkbox is unchecked the False-Value is stored in this item (either 0 or N).

No Problem anymore, all you have to do is use ApexLib’s new Feature to define a Keyboard Shortcut on your Buttons.
To do that go to your Button Settings and set the Key-Combination in the ApexLib Section.

You don’t see an ApexLib Section? Go geht the Oracle APEX Builder Plugin.

Now with the Build Plugin installed you should see this:

The best thing is this works on regular buttons as well as on item buttons.

The only thing you have to ensure is that the button has its Name or ID set as HTML-attribute “id=” either in the button template or in the buttons display attributes:

Note: depending on your browser some Key Combinations can not be used or may lead to unexpected behaviour (e.g. binding Ctrl+F to a button may not work).

That’s the point where you tell your customer something about using a LOV instead or reloading the page or something else, because APEX lacks declarative AJAX functionality.

No Problem anymore, now you can use the new ApexLib Feature “AJAX Computations” which basically is a standard Computation for a page item with a new ApexLib Property “AJAX Computation”.

Check it out over here.

Seen it? Good, hope you like it. Here is what you need to do:

• declare a page item P70_EMPLOYEE_ID where user enters his number
• declare a page item P70_NAME where the corresponding name should be displayed
• declare a computation for page item P70_NAME, Type SQL Query: SELECT FIRST_NAME||’ ‘||LAST_NAME FROM EMPLOYEES WHERE EMPLOYEE_ID=:P70_EMPLOYEE_ID
• now go back to your computation and set the “Ajax Computation” checkbox in the Apexlib-Section (appears only if you use the BuilderPlugin , if you can’t or don’t want to use the BuilderPlugin write $APEXLIB_AJAX_COMPUTATION$ in the comment field)

ApexLib converts this checkbox at runtime to an AJAX Call which executes the computation whenever a reference page item is changed and writes the result to the page item.

You see, it is very easy to use, so use it and impress your customers or your boss !

And that lead me to my first ApexLib enhancement: a script which integrates ApexLib in your existing APEX Application. You don’t need to create dozens of regions by hand anymore, its all done by this script.

It works like this (on windows, similiar on other systems):

• open a Command-Box (Start -> Run -> Cmd)
• change to the Scripts directory of ApexLib  (e.g. cd \ApexLib\Scripts)
• connect to your database using SQLPLUS as SYS or Application-User (e.g. SQLPLUS myappluser/myapplpassword)
• execute the script ApexLib_integrate_into_application.sql (e.g. @ApexLib_integrate_into_application.sql)
• enter the id of the application you want to use ApexLib with

Done !

Now lean back and enjoy ;-)