Oracle ADF First Sample Application

Hello world Example

Create a New Application Step By Step

Step 1:
Click on File à New à Generic Application“ à OK à then Give Application Name à Next

                                                OR

You can click on File à “New Application” in the Application Navigator Section as below screen.

Step 2 : Select Applications Category -> “Fusion Web Application(ADF)” from the Items list as      below:

Step 3: Now Give the application name and the remaining details then click on Next as :

Step 4 : Give  Model Project name and the directory & then click on Next button as below:

Step 5: Provide default package, src & class path for model project. You can accept the default values then click Next as below:

Step 6: Provide View Controller project name and the directory path. You can accept the default values then click Next.

Step 7: Provide default package, src & class path for View controller project. You can accept the default values then click Finish as below :

Now Once the application is created, Application Navigator will look like this as below:

Now You need to Create Page in which you will design and developed your business as below :

Step 8 : Right click on ViewController  à New à Click on JSF Page à OK

Step 9 : Just Provide File name as “HelloWorld.jspx” then click on ok.

Now Editor view will be Shown as below :

 Step 10 : Now to go Component Palette à Layout à  select and drag “Panel Group Layout” on to the editor as below:

Step 11 : Now Go to Component Palette à Common Component à Drag “Output Text” on to the Panel group layout.

See The Structure window will be like this : 

Editor window will be looks like as below : 

From Structure panel select af:outPutText. Go to Properties window. Change the value property to “Hello World”

Now Save the page and right click on the page and select “Run” to run the page.

Note : If first time you run in J Developer then you need to create weblogic domain with new password, You will see the following dialog box for domain configurations as :

Enter password and confirm password You can leave Listener Address and select localhost or define any IP address and the port as defaults.

Finally the Hello world page in the browser will be as :

Completed First ADF Example.

By :  Dilip Kumar

Oracle ADF Basic Question Answer

Q1. What is Oracle ADF?

Ans : Oracle Application Development Framework, usually called Oracle ADF, provides a commercial Java framework for building enterprise applications. It provides visual and declarative approaches to Java EE development. It supports rapid application development based on ready-to-use MVC design patterns, metadata-driven and visual tools.

Q2 How does ADF fall in MVC architecture?

Oracle ADF Architecture is based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern.MVC consists of three layers which are model layer, view layer, controller layer. Oracle ADF implements MVC and further separates the model layer from the business services to enable service-oriented development of applications.

ADF MVC Architecture as below :

What is difference between faces-config.xml and adfc-config.xml?

faces-config :- is the plain jsf controller. Here you can define navigation rules, define managed beans, register converters, validators

adfc-config :-  is the adf extended controller also called as unbounded task flow.

Note :- Adf controller is divided in to 2 : bounded and unbounded
you can achieve all the functionalities that faces-config gives (other than valuators and converters, Navigation rule etc), but this is more advanced.

The Oracle ADF architecture is based on four layers:

The Business Services layer (I;e Business Component)

This layer provides access to data from various sources and handles business logic. ADF Component comes in this section are ViewObject, EntityObject, ViewLink, Association etc.

The Model layer

This layer provides an abstraction layer on top of the Business Services layer, enabling the View and Controller layers to work with different implementations of Business Services in a consistent way. ADF Component comes in this section are PageDefn, DataBindings, DataControls (AppModuleDataControl, WebServiceDataControl).

The Controller layer

This layer provides a mechanism to control the flow of the Web application. ADF Component comes in this section are as below:

·         Bounded Task Flow

·         Unbounded Task Flow

·         Faces-config.xml

·         Adfc-config.xml

The View layer

This layer provides the user interface of the application. ADF components comes in this section are as below

·         Jsff : Refer to JSF Fragment.

·         jspx : Use JSPX as page fragment.

Q3 How will JDeveloper support rapid development?

Ans : Oracle ADF is an Oracle product Ide used to develop ADF application which is Oracle JDeveloper. This IDE is has all component which support in rapid developer starting form designing Application using the UML to Java, Visual Designer, DataBase development, Testing Webservices to Deployment. Most of the feature are just drag and drop. hence this IDE become the perfect choice for ADF development. Although it bit slow and hangs sometime but still we don't have any other option.

Q4 What are the different type of Business Component in Oracle ADF?

Ans : Different kinds of Business component support by ADF are EntityObject, ViewObjects, ViewLinks, Association.

Q6 What is Entity Object in ADF Framework?

Ans: EnitityObject in ADF are similar to Table in database. Any number of ViewObejct can create on single Entity.

Q6 What is ViewObejct in ADF framework?

Ans : ViewObject is represent the data collection. These view object can be created in different ways which are as follows:

·       Entity Based ViewObject: These viewobejct will hold the reference of underlying entity. These view object can hold data from single or multiple entities. While defining Viewobject based on Entity you can select the attribute which you want to keep in entity.

·      SQL Based ViewObject: These ViewObejct are based on sql quarries. These viewobejct will have underlying SQL Query. At runtime they will hold data return by SQL.

·      Programatic View Object: User can define the view attribute which defining viewobejct. Data will insert programmatically into these ViewObject.

·      Static ViewObject : While defining user will define attribute for view and in later he has to provide the values for those attribute. These kind of viewobejct will have fixed no of rows.

Q7 What is Association in ADF?
Ans: Association represent the relationship between 2 and more tables like foreign key relationship. If you create Entities from database association will automatically got created for entity. User can also define custom association if there is no foreign-key is define in database. In this way user can handle foreign key in ADF application and can remove overhead from database.

Q8 What is view link?

Ans: ViewLink represent the relationship between data of same or multiple Entities or table. It works in same manner as association work for entity. While defining the ViewLink user can define the reference of already created association if ViewObejct based on Entity Object else can manually select the column and define link between 2 ViewObject.

Q9 Why we used applicationmodule in ADF framework?

Ans:Applicationmodule is the component of ADF BC which hold the references of ViewObject and instantiate them while running the application. ViewObejct reference define in Application Module can be used to define the jsff/jspz page. If you want to use any ViewObject on you page you must have to provide the reference in Application Module.

Application module also provide the transaction management with commit and rollback operation 
  

Q10 What is the controller in ADF in respect of MVC architecture?

Ans:Controllers in ADF framework are TaskFlows, Faces-config.xml, adfc-config.xml. In all there file you can define navigation between the pages. 
Declare the manage-bean in different scope.   

Q11 What are the different kind of resource bundle supported in ADF?
Ans: ADF support different types of resource bundle which are as follows:

·                     Property file based (txt file which contains key-value pair)

·                     xliff file based (xml file which contains key-value pair)

·                     List Resource bundle

Q12 How to provide common resource bundle for entire proejct?
Ans: Go to property file of you Project and select resouce bundle
 
From here you can select one bundle for entire project. 

Q13 How to provide separate resource bundle for each jsff/jspx?
Ans: Refer Q 12 answer there is option using that you can select One Bundle per file.
 

Q14 What is the difference in jspx and jsff?
Ans: jspx and jsff file are same in most of manner. Only difference is that you can run jspx directly on browser while jsff file container which will run on browser.

Q15 What is taskflow ? how many type of taskflow adf support?
Ans: Taskflow is the Component of Oracle ADF which is used to define simple task. After successfully defining task-flow can consume any number of time.
ADF support two kind of taskflow:

·                     Bounded TaskFlow : Bonded taskflow require the page on which they will consume.

·                     UnBounded TaskFlow : Unbounded taskflows can directly run on browser 

Q16 How to develop reusable taskflow in ADF?
Ans: Please fins the step below

·                     Define taskflow

·                     Define deployment profile as ADF Library jar

·                     Deploy adf jar file

·                     Open new project where you want to consume the task flow.

·                     Add newly created jar of taskflow project 

·                     go to component palate You will fine you jar name select it.

·                     It will show list of taskflow you developed

·                     Drag drop your taskflow as region on jsff/jspx page and run ur application

Q17 Can bounded taskflow run on browser?
Ans: NO

Q18 What are different scope of adf taskflow?

Ans: Isolate/Shared
Shared scope will share data among the multiple instance of taskflows while Isolated doesn't.

Q19 How can you force ADF taskflow to use new transaction everytime taskflow is called?
Ans: Go taskflow overview and you will file below item 
 
Select always begin new transaction fron dropdown
 

Q20 How to use same transaction in ADF taskflow?

Q 21 How can you pass parameter to adf taskflow?
Ans: Go to overview select parameters link it will show screen like 

 
Here you can add multiple parameter which you want to pass takflow while loading it.

Q22 Explain the purpose of using Controls flow in adf?
Ans: Controls flow defined in taskflow can be called anytime from any page of that taskflow.
if you have same flow for multiple pages just define the control flow once in taskflow. You can invoke it anytime from any action event.

Q23 What is the behavior of  router in ADF taskflow?
Ans : Based on some condition router can decide which route need to be follow. If none of condition match in that case router will follow default route defined by used.
 

Q24 How can navigation define in taskflow?
 Ans : Navigation can be defined in taskflow using control flows and invoked by jsff/jspx page using action event like button link etc.
 

Q25 Can ADF task flow hold more than 1 view activity?
Ans: Yes. ADF taskflow can have multiple view activity but 1 activity has to be defined as default activity. 

Q26 What is the Parent Action in ADF Taskflow?
Ans:Parent action is activity using that you can invoke the Control flow define in parent taskflow from child taskflow.

Q27 What is method activity in Adf  Taskflow?
Ans: Using this activity you can invoke and method defined in manage-bean.

Q28 How to initialize ADF Taskflow?
Ans: Open the taskflow in Overview Mode select general like there is initiallizer property. 
you can provide the any method reference which will get invoked whenever taskflow instance created.

JSF Page Flow Vs ADF Task Flow

29. JSF Page Flow Vs ADF Task Flow

JSF Page Flow	ADF Task Flow
The entire application must be represented in a single page navigation file (faces-config.xml). Although you can have multiple copies of faces-config.xml in a project, the application loads these files as one at runtime.	The application can be broken up into a series of modular flows that call one another.
All nodes within a JSF page flow must be JSF pages. No other types of objects can exist within the JSF page flow	You can add to the task flow diagram nodes such as views, method calls, and calls to other task flows
Navigation is only between pages	Navigation is between pages as well as other activities, including routers
Application fragments cannot be reused	ADF task flows are reusable within the same or an entirely different application. After you break up your application into task flows, you may decide to reuse task flows containing common functionality
No shared memory scope between multiple requests except for session scope	Shared memory scope (for example, page flow scope) enables data to be passed between activities within the task flow. Page flow scope defines a unique storage area for each instance of an ADF bounded task flow
Can be converted to an ADF taskflow	Cannot be converted back to JSF Page Flow

Page(.jspx) Vs Page Fragment(.jsff)

30. Page(.jspx) Vs Page Fragment(.jsff)

Page	Page Fragment
.jspx or .jsf page is JSP/XML representation	.jsff (JSF fragments) page is fragment of JSF(Java Server Faces) page
Standalone page and can run without any supporting or base page	Cannot run independently, it requires a base .jsf(JSF page) or .jspx (JSP/XML) page
Regular pages, can contain other fragments	Page fragments
Cannot be embedded	Can be used in regions, dialogs, pages etc
Typically has the components like af:document, af:form, f:view	Cannot have the components like af:document, af:form, f:view

Unbounded Task Flow(UTF) Vs Bounded Task Flow(BTF)

31. Unbounded Task Flow(UTF) Vs Bounded Task Flow(BTF)

Unbounded Task Flow(UTF)	Bounded Task Flow(BTF)
No boundaries, pages are public	Well-defined boundary
Cannot be reused	Reusable
No Security	Has security control
Multiple Entry points	Has a single entry point
Cannot be parameterized	May accept input parameters
Cannot return values	May generate return values
No Transaction Control	Provides transaction Control
No default activity	Always has a default activity
Typical application has one Unbounded TF	Typical application can have many BTFs
Created with pages	Created with pages(.jspx) or page fragments(.jsff)
Bookmarkable	Cannot be bookmarked
Cannot be based on a template	Can be based on a template
Eg: Home, Help, Contact Us, Privacy Policy, Search etc	Eg: Add to Cart, Checkout, Shipping details, Payment etc.

ADF Lifecycle phases:

1. initialize
This phase initializes the values of the associated request, binding container and lifecycle. The method that is used from the Interface Lifecyle for this purpose is :

initializeMethodParameters(LifecycleContext lcContext, oracle.jbo.uicli.binding.JUCtrlActionBinding actionBinding)
This method is invoked before any ControlBinding or custom method is being executed.

2. prepareModel 

This phase prepares and initializes the Model. Page parameters are set and methods in the executable section of the page definition of the ADF page are executed. The interface LifeCycle method used :

prepareModel(LifecycleContext lcContext)


3. applyInput
This phase handles the request parameters. These may come by adding the request parameters in the URL or as a result of HTML form post action. A list of events is build using these request parameters. These are actually mapped to the bindings in the pageDef. This phase resolves the list of request parameters bind to attributes in the page def. This results into a list of updatedValues which is used in Update Model phase.

The interface LifeCycle method used :

buildEventList(LifecycleContext lcContext)
Builds the list of events with their possible associated action binding from the request parameters.


4. validateInput

This phase validates the list of values built in the Apply input values field with model.

5. updateModel

This phase updates data model with the list of values created in apply input values phase.

The interface LifeCycle method used :
processUpdateModel(LifecycleContext lcContext)
Update the data model with values submitted in the request.



6. validateModelUpdates

This phase validates the Updates in the previous phase by calling the associated lifecycle's binding container .
The interface LifeCycle method used :

validateModelUpdates(LifecycleContext lcContext)
Forces model-level validation to occur.

7. Process Component Updates

This phase handles any events in the list built during the apply input values phase. Named events as well as all the events tied to the databindings created in the pagdef are handled in this phase.

The interface LifeCycle method used :
processComponentEvents(LifecycleContext lcContext)
Handle any events in the action binding list previously built in processUpdateModel using the buildEventList method.

8. Metadata Commit

This phase commits the runtime metadata changes to the model. This phase is always executed before prepare render phase.


9. Prepare Render

This is the final phase where page is sent for rendering. prepareRender event is sent to all the registered listeners. This notification signals bindings to prepare or process the data for rendering. Binding container is also refreshed. This helps 
in updating any changes that happened during validation phases.