Tips & Tricks for Oracle Visual Builder (VBCS) application

Build Engaging Mobile & Web Apps with Oracle Visual Builder

Get Started with Oracle Visual Builder

Oracle Visual Builder is a powerful, visual development platform designed for creating modern mobile and web applications. This cloud-based environment offers a declarative approach to app development, empowering both low-code developers and experienced professionals to build rich user experiences.

What is Oracle Visual Builder?

Oracle Visual Builder provides a visual and intuitive environment for developing and hosting responsive web and mobile applications. It eliminates the need for complex coding and offers a streamlined workflow for bringing your app ideas to life.

Key Benefits:

• Rapid Development: Build apps quickly with a drag-and-drop interface.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Create apps that work seamlessly on desktops and mobile devices.
• Easy Data Integration: Connect to data from various sources, including Oracle SaaS, Oracle Integration, and external REST services.
• Complete Development & Hosting: Manage your app lifecycle from development to deployment with built-in version control and data migration.
• Managed Service: Focus on building your app – Visual Builder handles infrastructure and maintenance.

Visual Development Experience

Visual Builder offers a rich set of visual tools for designing your application's user interface (UI).

• Drag-and-Drop UI Components: Easily build layouts by dragging and dropping pre-built components.
• Customizable Attributes: Fine-tune component behavior with intuitive attribute settings.
• Open-Source Technology: Leverages the Oracle JavaScript Extension Toolkit (JET) for powerful UI capabilities.
• Redwood Support: Develop apps with a consistent user experience aligned with Oracle's standard for user experience (Redwood).
• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): Create apps that offer the best of both worlds – the instant access of a web app and the engaging experience of a native mobile app.

Easy Access to Data

Connecting your app to data is simplified with Visual Builder's robust data access capabilities.

• REST-Based Services: Access data through standard REST APIs.
• Reusable Business Objects: Create and manage data models for your application logic.
• Integrated Data Catalog: Easily connect to data objects exposed by Oracle SaaS and Oracle Integration.
• External REST Service Integration: Connect to any external REST endpoint with minimal configuration.

Development and Hosting Platform

Visual Builder is a comprehensive platform that handles both development and hosting.

• Integrated Development Environment (IDE): A visual designer with a WYSIWYG interface.
• Built-in Web Server: Host your application directly within Visual Builder.
• Version Management: Track changes and easily revert to previous versions.
• Data Migration: Simplify the process of moving data between environments.
• Scalable Infrastructure: Benefit from a managed service that automatically scales to meet your needs.

Anatomy of Visual Applications

Understanding the core components of a Visual Builder application is key to effective development.

• Mobile Applications: Apps designed for mobile devices.
• Web Applications: Apps accessible through web browsers.
• Service Connections: Establish connections to data sources.
• Business Objects: Data models representing your application's data.
• Processes: Define workflows and business logic.

Key Building Blocks:

• Variables: Store and manage data within your application.
• Action Chains: Orchestrate sequences of actions to perform tasks.
• Page Flows & Navigation: Control the flow of users through your application.
• UI Components: Provide the visual elements of your application.

Variables and Lifecycles

Variables are fundamental for managing data in your application. They have a type and a scope (application or page).

• Automatic Variable Creation: Variables are automatically created based on navigation rules and bookmarkable variables.
• onValueChanged Event: Variables trigger an event when their value changes, allowing you to initiate actions.
• Lifecycle Management: Application and page variables are managed within a specific lifecycle stage.

Understand Actions and Action Chains

Action Chains are sequences of actions that perform specific tasks.

• Triggers: Action chains are triggered by events, such as a button click or a variable change.
• Scope: Action chains can be defined at the application or page level.
• Predefined Actions: Visual Builder provides a library of built-in actions for common tasks like navigation and data manipulation.
• Custom Actions: You can define your own actions to meet specific requirements.

Event Handling for Action Chains

Action chains are triggered by events, which can include a payload containing data used within the