OA Framework Versus ADF[1]

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OA Framework Versus ADF: The Better Choice for the Best BenefitsShiv Saroj


Agenda

Introduction 11i, R12, Fusion OA Framework ADF Choice for the customization Future Impact & Migration Path Important links Questions & Answers


Introduction

OA Framework is the technology upon which majority of 11i and R12 releases of Oracle Applications is built on and ADF is the sole technology used for the development of pages in Fusion. A major portion of any Oracle Applications project involves the customization of existing pages and development of custom modules to meet business requirements.


Introduction

OA framework provides a seamless, patch safe mechanism whereas ADF is capable of providing visually rich, complex logic modifications without much coding effort.

What should be our pick in the current context.

This is a big question in front of every decision makers, technical managers and the developers.


11i

The largest customer base. Based on a mix of OA Framework Pages and Forms. At present, being maintained and only selected enhancements

makings it to 11i level from R12.


R12

Most of the customers are moving to R12. Includes many code cleanup from the 11i level. Includes an enhanced Look and Feel called SWAN. Focus to move the Forms based screens to OA Framework

Pages. A bunch of new functionalities across the modules as

compared to 11i.


Fusion Applications

Larry Ellison got the Open World, 09 audience’s attention with the words, “We are code complete for all of this.”

An expected release date is during Open World 2010. Only a few screens shown during Demos. No clear confirmation on the Tech Stack. No announcement yet on the migration path for 11i or R12

base.


Fusion Applications

Inherent support for Web Services. BPEL as the Workflow solution. Very declarative and drag & drop approach. Includes a bunch of pre defined objects with a huge set of

feature precoded. Minimum coding effort expected for any customization. Fusion Applications is not same as Fusion Middleware.


OA Framework

A stable J2EE technology Framework based on MVC architecture.

Tailor made for use in the development, customization of Oracle Apps pages and any custom application development to be hosted, integrated in Oracle Apps.

Majority of 11i and R12 version of Oracle EBS is built using OA Framework.

Only choice of tool to work with OAF is Jdeveloper with OA Extension. There is no OA extension/plugin available for any other IDE.


OA Framework : Pros

Stable framework. Seamless integration with Oracle Applications. Inbuilt support for Apps specific features like AOL/J Security,

Flexfield, Menu etc. Provides classes for all the standard web widgets seen on the

Self Service pages like Text field, Table, HGrid, Buttons etc. Native support for Connection Pooling, Session Management.


OA Framework : Pros

Provides consistent Look and Feel. For look & feel and business logic changes to Oracle provided

seeded Self Service pages, one can make use of Extension and Personalization features of OAF.

Modifications done following the Extension and Personalization guidelines are upgrade and patch safe.


OA Framework : Cons

Lacks the dynamic and rich UI experience. No inherent support for Web Services. A customized framework aimed only for the development of

Apps specific pages. Jdeveloper with OA Extension is the only IDE available to work

with OA pages.


ADF : Application Development Framework Unlike OAF, ADF is not a vendor or technology specific

framework. In fact it supports a number of technologies for each of its Model, View and Controller components and hence has received a good appreciation from the developer, architect community.

It has gained popularity as the choice of framework for generic J2EE based applications development.


ADF : Pros

ADF is going to be used for Fusion release of Oracle Applications.

Declarative and visual Drag & Drop based development. Very little to no coding required to develop generic search,

create, update pages with multiple regions and standard validations.

Inbuilt support for Web Services.


ADF : Pros

Rich and dynamic web user interface. Simplified database access. Easy data binding. Multiple technology options to choose from for each of the

Model, View and Controller components. WebLogic server as the backend is one of the best servers

available.


ADF : Cons

Lack of native support for Integration with 11i, R12. As the path will be to move to fusion, it is unlikely that there will be extra effort to provide native support in ADF for 11i or even in R12.

No published standards from Oracle for custom development meant for 11i, R12 or Fusion.


ADF : Cons

Apps Look and Feel will require lots of extra coding. Maintenance, with Apps patching, any custom built solution

will require continuous change. It will act like a custom module built using any other technology.

Being a new technology, learning curve involved for ADF.


A Sample ADF based Page


Current Developments

Oracle is working on the ADF integration on EBS. Expected timeline is 6-9 months.

Latest release of OA Framework includes some of the advance UI features like

• Look Ahead List of Values• Inline View Attachments• View Popup• Improved Responsibility Navigator


Choice for Customization

No PRE DEFINED Choice. For all tightly coupled Oracle Applications related development

and customizations, stick to OA Framework. As full fledged Fusion Apps is still far away, all the customers

will be on 11i or R12 release of code for a couple of more years and the biggest chunk of maintenance /enhancement work will be based on OAF. Start leveraging the Fusion tech stack and be prepared for future.



Scenarios where ADF fit into current Apps related development is the kind of project where you have to develop a completely standalone application which just uses the Oracle Apps data but is not required to integrate with the Oracle Apps.

Other scenarios are where we have to add some customization which can be implemented in the form of Service oriented components making them reusable in future.



What does it mean for OAF Developers? Good news for OAF developers as for next couple of years,

some of the Oracle Applications related work will continue to be on OA framework.

ADF has many features which are similar to OAF. Hence it will be an easy path to learn ADF if you know OAF properly and want to move over to ADF related development.


Migration Path

No Migration path announced as of now from 11i/ R12 to Fusion Applications.

Be prepared on your own for future migration:• Start leveraging Middleware technology today.• Rethink your customization strategy.• Embrace SOA based integration.


Useful Links

Base idea for this presentation: http://shiv-saroj.blogspot.com/2008/03/oaf-vs-adf-with-respect-to-oracle.html

Metalink Note: 283158.1 : Using OA Extensions to extend existing Apps 11i OA Framework pages

Metalink Note: 369732.1 : Oracle Framework Personalization Guide

Oracle wiki entry for ADF and a good collection of related articles: http://wiki.oracle.com/page/Oracle+ADF+FAQ

http://shiv-saroj.blogspot.com/2008/03/oaf-vs-adf-with-respect-to-oracle.html

http://shiv-saroj.blogspot.com/2008/03/oaf-vs-adf-with-respect-to-oracle.html


Useful Links

Oracle ADF Home Page http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/adf/index.html

Jdeveloper and ADF OTN Forum: http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=83

OA Framework OTN Forum: http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=210

Metalink Note: 563047.1 : Using Oracle Application Framework (OAF) and Application Development Framework

http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/adf/index.html

http://forums.oracle.com/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=83


Contact Information

Email : [email protected]


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OA Framework Versus ADF[1]