How to compare fmb files

 Open each in forms builder and run File/Administration/Object List Report. This creates a <formname>.txt
 compare the text file and find difference.

How to call one Form to another Form in Oracle APPS

DECLARE
   other_params                  VARCHAR2 (255);
BEGIN
   other_params :=
           'p_param1='
        || NAME_IN ('OKS_HEADER.id')
        || '&'
        || 'p_param2='
        || 'SC';
   fnd_function.EXECUTE (function_name      => 'CONTRACT_ESTIMATION'--Function Name
                       , open_flag          => 'Y'
                       , session_flag       => 'N'
                       , other_params       => other_params
                        );
END;

What are built-ins used for Processing rows

GET_GROUP_ROW_COUNT(function)
GET_GROUP_SELECTION_COUNT(function)
GET_GROUP_SELECTION(function)
RESET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)
SET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)
UNSET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)

What are the built-ins used for Getting cell values

GET_GROUP_CHAR_CELL (function)
GET_GROUP_DATE_CELL(function)
GET_GROUP_NUMBET_CELL(function)

Can one execute dynamic SQL from Forms?

Yes, use the FORMS_DDL built-in or call the DBMS_SQL database package from Forms. Eg:

        FORMS_DDL('INSERT INTO X VALUES (' || col_list || ')');

Just note that FORMS_DDL will force an implicit COMMIT and may de-synchronize the Oracle Forms COMMIT mechanism.

Can one issue DDL statements from Forms?

DDL (Data Definition Language) commands like CREATE, DROP and ALTER are not directly supported from Forms because your Forms are not supposed to manipulate the database structure.

A statement like CREATE TABLE X (A DATE); will result in error:

Encountered the symbol "CREATE" which is a reserved word.

However, you can use the FORMS_DDL built-in to execute DDL statements. Eg:

FORMS_DDL('CREATE TABLE X (A DATE)');

FORMS_DDL can also be used to create dynamic SQL statements at runtime. The FORMS_SUCCESS built-in can be used to determine if the last executed built-in was successful.

How does one suppress or customize error messages in Forms?

One can either set the message level using the system variable SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL or trap errors using the ON-ERROR or ON-MESSAGE triggers.

MESSAGE_LEVEL: Set to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 to suppress all messages with severity below this level. The default level is 0. Messages with a level higher than 25 cannot be suppressed. See the "Forms Error Messages Manual" for more details about the various MESSAGE_LEVEL's:

0	Default value. All types of messages from the other levels of severity.
5	Reaffirms an obvious condition.
10	Indicates that the operator has made a procedural mistake.
15	Declares that the operator is attempting to perform a function for which the form is not designed.
20	Indicates a condition where the operator cannot continue an intended action due to a problem with a trigger or another outstanding condition.
25	Indicates a condition that could result in the form performing incorrectly.
>25	Indicates a message severity level that you cannot suppress via the SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL system variable.

How does one iterate through items and records in a specified block?

One can use NEXT_FIELD to iterate (loop) through items in a specific block and NEXT_RECORD to iterate through records in a block. Code example:

            OriPos := TO_NUMBER(:System.Trigger_Record);

            First_Record;

            LOOP

              --   do processing

              IF (:System.Last_Record = 'TRUE') THEN

                 Go_Record(OriPos);

                 EXIT;

              ELSE

                 Next_Record;

              END IF;

            END LOOP

Can Forms FMX be moved from one operating system to another?

FMX files are operating system dependent. On the other hand, FMB's are not. So, you have to regenerate them whenever you change the operating system or the Forms version.

difference between $$DATE$$ and $$DBDATE$$?

$$DBDATE$$ retrieves the current database date
$$DATE$$ retrieves the current operating system date.

What is a TEXT_IO package?

The TEXT_IO package allows you to read and write information to a file in the file system.

different display styles of List item?

Poplist
Text list
Combo box.

differences between LOV and List item?

LOV is a Property whereas List item is an item.
A List item can have only one column whereas an LOV can have one or more columns.

Name the functions used to get/set the canvas properties?

get_view_property

set_view_property.

Horizontal/Vertical toolbar Canvas-Views?

Toolbar canvas-views are used to create toolbar for individual windows. Horizontal toolbars are displayed at the top a window, just under the menu bar. Vertical toolbars are displayed along the left side of a window.

Stacked Canvas Views?

A stacked canvas view is displayed in a window on top of, or stacked on the content canvas view assigned to that same window. Stacked canvas view obscure some part of the underlying content-canvas view, and are often shown and hidden programmatically.

Content Canvas Views?

Most canvas views are Content-Canvas Views. It is the base view that occupies the entire content pane of the window in which it is displayed.

How do you reference a parameter indirectly?

To indirectly reference a parameter
Use the NAME_IN and COPY built-ins to indirectly set and reference the parameter¡Šs value.

Example:
Name_In(¡¥PARAMETER.my_param¡Š)
Copy(¡¥SURESH¡Š,¡ŠPARAMETER>my_param¡Š)

How do you reference a Parameter?

In PL/SQL, you can reference and set the values of form parameters using bind variable syntax.
Example
:PARAMETER.parameter_name=¡ŠVIKRAM¡Š; or
:block.item=PARAMETER.parameter_name;

How do you call other ORACLE products from Oracle Forms?

RUN_PRODUCT is a built-in used to invoke one of the supported Oracle tools products and specifies the name of the document or module to be run. If the called product is unavailable at the time of call, Oracle Forms returns a message to the operator.