Application Express 3.1.1 released

Today (22-MAY-2008), the Oracle Application Express 3.1.1 patch set was released. This patch set can be applied to an instance running Oracle Application Express 3.1.0.00.32.

Soon (hopefully later today), the full distribution of Application Express 3.1.1 will be available for download on OTN. This distribution will not enable you to patch an existing Application Express 3.1 instance to Application Express 3.1.1. You will need the patch set from Oracle MetaLink for this.

This patch set does not introduce any new features. This patch set fixes a collection of software defects (i.e., bugs) found internally as well as issues reported on the active Application Express OTN discussion forum. All resolved issues are documented in the README.html file contained with the Application Express 3.1.1 patch set.

To find this on MetaLink:

1. Login to MetaLink
2. Click the "Patches and Updates" tab
3. Click "Simple Search"
4. For Patch Number/Name, enter: 7032837
5. Click Go

The Oracle APEX Award

Just announced today is a competition in Germany called The Oracle APEX Award, with a grand prize of € 5,000 (approximately $7700 USD). Now it can't be just any application - it should be business related, based on APEX 3.0 or later, delivered with supporting objects and an installation script (so it is a single file deliverable, just like the Packaged Applications), and run on Oracle Database 10g or Oracle Database 11g.

Beyond the money, though, all Oracle Application Express solutions from the competition will be promoted by Heise, Mittelstandswiki and on the German Oracle General Business Sites.

In case you were worried that this competition would be won by Patrick Wolf, he can't participate, as he is one of the judges.

Why APEX?

Why use Application Express? What is it good for? Good questions.

Today I stumbled upon a 3 minute viewlet about Oracle Application Express. And I honestly couldn't tell you who did this, although I do remember David Peake (the Application Express Product Manager) making mention of this a month or two ago.

If you're curious about Oracle Application Express, this is worth 3 minutes of your life.