Oracle has made a large commitment to Application Express. In a fairly SHORT time, APEX has made it to version 3.0. Every release makes it easier to use and DEPLOY applications. While recent releases have improved APEX integration with SOA, APEX does not try to compete with jDeveloper or the Oracle Java stack. APEX is the glue that can combine various parts of an enterprise solution into a whole. APEX is the tool of choice to create web-based, database-centric applications. If your business logic is in the database tier, APEX is the way to go. If your logic is in the middle tier or is implemented at the java level, J2EE may be the better choice. APEX take-up has doubled in the past year and thousands of developers are using APEX. Numbers like these ensure a healthy future for APEX. A recent INFOWORLD ARTICLE contains the following:

“We’re going to take out the need to understand the database,” said Mike Hichwa, vice president of software development at Oracle, talking about Application Express 3.1, which is likely to appear before year-end. The next release of the tool will retain its core functionality but will also be more wizard-driven so it’s easier for nonprogrammers to use, he added.

Application Express enables Oracle database users, including those with limited technical skills, to create and manage secure Web applications using only a Web browser. The tool can be used to prototype Web-based applications as well as run those applications supporting tens to thousands of users.

Currently, Oracle estimates that around 100,000 developers are using Application Express on a MONTHLY basis, but the company would like to open up the tool to many more users, Hichwa said. Oracle’s particularly interested in those PEOPLE who are currently using Microsoft Corp.’s Access database or its Excel spreadsheet or IBM Corp.’s Lotus Notes groupware to develop Web- based applications.

Oracle has made a large commitment to Application Express. In a fairly short time, APEX has made it to version 3.0. Every release makes it easier to use and deploy applications. While recent releases have improved APEX integration with SOA, APEX does not try to compete with jDeveloper or the Oracle Java stack. APEX is the glue that can combine various parts of an enterprise solution into a whole. APEX is the tool of choice to create web-based, database-centric applications. If your business logic is in the database tier, APEX is the way to go. If your logic is in the middle tier or is implemented at the java level, J2EE may be the better choice. APEX take-up has doubled in the past year and thousands of developers are using APEX. Numbers like these ensure a healthy future for APEX. A recent INFOWORLD ARTICLE contains the following:

“We’re going to take out the need to understand the database,” said Mike Hichwa, vice president of software development at Oracle, talking about Application Express 3.1, which is likely to appear before year-end. The next release of the tool will retain its core functionality but will also be more wizard-driven so it’s easier for nonprogrammers to use, he added.

Application Express enables Oracle database users, including those with limited technical skills, to create and manage secure Web applications using only a Web browser. The tool can be used to prototype Web-based applications as well as run those applications supporting tens to thousands of users.

Currently, Oracle estimates that around 100,000 developers are using Application Express on a monthly basis, but the company would like to open up the tool to many more users, Hichwa said. Oracle’s particularly interested in those people who are currently using Microsoft Corp.’s Access database or its Excel spreadsheet or IBM Corp.’s Lotus Notes groupware to develop Web- based applications.