Oracle releases Application Release 3.0 development tools

It enables users with limited programming skills to build, deploy and manage secure web applications using only a browser, and is aimed at easing migration of third-party software, and improving application design, migration, charting, security and reporting. New features include PDF printing, Flash chart integration, Microsoft Access migration support, enhanced web services and drag and drop item creation and layout. It’s also integrated with all editions of Oracle Database 10g and Oracle9i Database Release 2. With this tool, programmers can develop secure web applications that run inside their Oracle Database and scale to support tens, hundreds or thousands of users. “With PDF printing, flash charting, and improved support for web services Oracle Application Express Release 3.0 offers compelling new functionality,” says Mike Hichwa, vice president of Software Development, Oracle. “We’ve also taken a major step forward in helping customers migrate data off their desktops and consolidate it in an Oracle Database where it can be reliably managed and secured.” Early users like it. “Oracle Application Express’s 4GL declarative development and the built-in features like security, validation, themes, flash charting, PDF reporting, and web services, increases the productivity of our developers,” says Patrick Wolf, senior solution architect at Vienna-based Sphinx IT Consulting.“ “With the new out-of-the-box PDF reporting and Flash charting, it’s even easier for us to build the highly sophisticated, Web 2.0 applications our clients are demanding. We’re fans of the database-based repository used by Oracle Application Express, which enables easy access to the application’s meta-data and makes it easy to enhance the Oracle Application Express core system with our open source ApexLib development framework that runs on top of Oracle Application Express.” Oracle Application Express Release 3.0 is generally available and is downloadable from the Oracle Technology Network at: http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/application_express/download.html .