Pro Oracle Application Express 4, Second Edition

Chapter 12. Plug-ins

Plug-ins, new in APEX 4.0, allow you to extend the functionality of item types, region types, dynamic actions, and process types. The plug-in architecture includes a declarative development environment that lets you create custom versions of these built-in objects. For example, instead of using a standard select list or check box, you could build a "star rating" item that allows your user to provide feedback using a one-to-five star graphic. This new item type could then be used across all your applications.

While it was always possible to create custom functionality using tools like custom Ajax, the code could be located in multiple different places: inside the database, in JavaScript files, and so forth. You scan still use ...