Understanding the Packaging Process

Deployment Options to Consider

When you develop an application in Application Builder, you create the application within a specific workspace. Each workspace has a unique ID and name. A common scenario is to create the application in a development instance and then deploy it to a production instance.

During the deployment process, you must decide whether you want to use the existing application ID, the existing workspace, the existing database, the existing Oracle HTTP Server, or create new ones. Deployment options to consider include:

1. Create Application Express End Users. The simplest way to deploy an application is to create Application Express end users and then send the URL and login information to users. This approach works well for applications with a small and tolerant user population. See "About Publishing the Application URL" and "Managing Application Express Users" in Oracle Application Express Administration Guide.

2. Use the same workspace and same schema. Export and then import the application and install it using a different application ID. This approach works well when there are few changes to the underlying objects, but frequent changes to the application functionality.

3. Use a different workspace and same schema. Export and then import the application into a different workspace. This is an effective way to prevent a production application from being modified by developers.

4. Use a different workspace and different schema. Export and then import the application into a different workspace and install it so that it uses a different schema. This new schema will need to have the database objects required by your application. See "About the Database Object Dependencies Report".

5. Use a different database with all its variations. Export and then import the application into a different Oracle Application Express instance and install it using a different schema and database.

Deciding Whether to Copy a Workspace

Deciding whether to copy an existing workspace is a matter of preference. Keep in mind that the production version must have access to all the appropriate objects. For example, you might want to copy a workspace in the following situations:

• When the application subscribes to other Oracle Application Express objects within the workspace.

• When the application relies on Oracle Application Express authentication. Copying the workspace automatically migrates all the required user data.

Deciding Whether to Copy a Database

When deciding whether to copy the database, remember that the schema against which the application runs must have access to the same objects as the development instance. The actual name of the schema is unimportant. You can change it during the import process.

About the Application ID

It is not necessary to have matching application IDs for a development version and production version of an application. In fact, as a best practice never hard code the application ID into your application. Instead, use the application alias (defined on the Edit Definition page), or use a built-in substitution string (such as APP_ID and APP_ALIAS). Using a substitution string is the better approach because it enables you to change the application ID without affecting any application functionality.

Deciding to Install a New HTTP Server

In order to run, Oracle Application Express must have access to either the embedded PL/SQL gateway or Oracle HTTP Server and mod_plsql. Installing a new HTTP server is another way to separate a development version and production version of an application. To learn more about HTTP server configuration options, see "Choosing a HTTP Server" in the appropriate installation guide for your operating environment. See "Related Documents".