Introduction

Another KSCOPE is in the bag 👜. This is a quick recap of my highlights from another fantastic event.

APEX is now a Tier-1 Platform for Developing Fusion Apps

This means that internal Oracle Fusion teams can now develop Fusion Apps using APEX, and customers can build Fusion extensions using APEX in a supported manner. APEX is being installed within every Fusion POD, wow! This removes the most significant argument in the APEX Vs Visual Builder for extending Fusion Apps debate.

15K People are now APEX Certified

Having more qualified APEX developers is great for both the APEX community and APEX’s adoption in the enterprise.

APEX Newsletter

The APEX team has launched a Newsletter. I’m hopeful this will continue the improved communication between the APEX Team and the APEX Community.

Marquee Features in the Pipeline

During the Sunday Symposium, the APEX team provided more detailed information than in previous years on the APEX Roadmap. 👏 Congratulations to the APEX Development team for returning the Sunday Symposium to its roots, focusing on developers once again!

My favorite upcoming features (in no particular order):

• AI Tools - This is a big one. Developers can now define tools based on PL/SQL, SQL, and REST. These tools will be sent to your LLM, allowing it to call back to these tools to supplement its answer based on data in your database. This reduces the need to include extensive data (using RAG) in the initial request, allowing the AI to select the most suitable tool for the job. Note: This is not MCP.

• APEXLang - APEX will become an official language with a well-defined syntax. This will enable developers to perform search and replace operations across the app and generate Apps using AI.

• Pattern Applications & Pages - This feature involves a centralized internal workspace where we can place common pages and components that can be shared and reused across your APEX Instance.

• SQL-Based Quickpicks - You will be able to provide a SQL statement to generate page item quick picks dynamically.

• Paste into Interactive Grid - This should bring better integration between APEX and Excel. All of my customers (without exception) have been asking for this ever since they were introduced to APEX. I hope this is just the start of improvements in this area.

• Support for Parallel Workflows - This is another big one for enterprise customers.

• More focus on Mobile - Passkey Support, Barcode Reader Capture, Deploy Apps to Stores, and Offline Support.

• API to refresh Themes - This will allow better automation for APEX Upgrades.

• APEX Adviser Improvements - The APEX team is looking to bring some much-needed love to APEX Adviser. Highlights include bringing your own checks, public APIs, and exception marking.

No More DB Wallets in 19C

As you may know, 23AI of the database allows you to use SSL certificates from the file system of the DB Server. What you may now know is that you can do the same with later releases of DB 19C! Set the wallet to system:

APEX on OCI Autonomous Database

We discovered why PSU 24.2.6 took so long to arrive on OCI Autonomous Databases. The APEX team has been collaborating with the OCI team to incorporate PSU patches alongside scheduled database patches. This should bring the delay for future PSU oatches to a matter of weeks!

Everything Else

• Kai Donato could be seen up close and personal in the ODTUG glass cage (at the center of the exhibition hall), recording episodes of the Devs on Tape Podcast with various APEX luminaries.

• I thoroughly enjoyed all four of the presentations I delivered. You can access all of the slides (and a demo app) from this GitHub repo.

• On a personal note, the main highlight for me is catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Conclusion

This was my fifth KSCOPE, and I still consider attendance a privilege. If you get the chance, I strongly recommend you go. I hope to see you all in Denver next year!