Oracle Forms Migration: Best Practices and Platforms For a Successful Migration

Quick summary

This article covers the best practices, methods, and platforms for successfully migrating Oracle Forms. It highlights key tasks like code analysis, refactoring, and testing, and examines top migration platforms such as Kodesage, which streamlines the process with AI-powered automation. For more insights on efficiently modernizing legacy systems, explore the Kodesage blog.

Want to know the best way to migrate your Oracle Forms?  

Oracle Forms is no newcomer in the enterprise software space. For decades, it has been the backbone of countless applications, especially for data entry, ERP, and financial systems. 

But today, it’s becoming more expensive to maintain and license, the pool of skilled developers is shrinking, and its outdated user interface makes it harder to keep up with modern digital demands.

That’s why more organizations are moving their Oracle Forms applications to modern platforms that offer scalability, improved user experiences, and lower long-term costs. 

In this Kodesage guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for a successful Oracle Forms migration, helping you make a smooth transition to more efficient, future-proof technologies.

What is Oracle Forms? 

Oracle Forms is a tool used to build data entry applications, often for business systems. It helps developers create forms that interact with databases. These forms are powered by PL/SQL, which is Oracle's programming language for handling the backend processes.

This Oracle Fusion Middleware tool has been a key solution for Oracle database interfaces. However, as technology has advanced, businesses are increasingly looking to migrate to modern, flexible platforms like  Java, .NET, or APEX,  to stay competitive and meet current IT demands.

Why migrating Oracle Forms matters  

• Outdated technology: Oracle Forms is becoming less compatible with modern systems and technologies.
• Limited flexibility: It lacks the flexibility required for today’s dynamic business needs.
• Higher maintenance Costs: Maintaining legacy Oracle Forms systems can be costly and time-consuming.
• Security risks: Older systems are more vulnerable to security breaches and compliance issues.
• Scalability: Modern platforms offer better scalability to support business growth.
• Improved user experience: Migrating allows for more intuitive, web-based, and mobile-friendly interfaces.

Key migration tasks 

Migrating Oracle Forms to a modern platform is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Each step plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth transition while minimizing risk and maintaining system functionality.

• Code analysis: Understanding and documenting existing Oracle Forms code and dependencies.
• Code refactoring/transformation: Rewriting and adapting Oracle Forms code for the new platform.
• Documentation: Creating and managing detailed technical documentation for the migration.
• Testing and validation: Ensuring the new system functions as expected.
• Deployment and post-deployment monitoring: Moving the application to production and ensuring it performs well.

Common platforms for migrating Oracle Forms  

1. Kodesage

Kodesage is an AI-powered legacy knowledge platform designed to simplify the most complex parts of modernizing legacy systems like Oracle Forms. Our platform automatically extracts, maps, and structures the system’s knowledge base, including complex PL/SQL and business logic, from the code, databases, and even issue tickets. 

This results in an always-up-to-date "Living Knowledge Base" and Smart Documentation, cutting down on manual analysis. 

By providing developers with a clear, accurate understanding of the legacy system, Kodesage reduces the time, risk, and effort usually required to migrate Oracle Forms to modern platforms like Java or .NET.

Best for: Teams seeking a deep legacy code intelligence migration approach for faster and more accurate Oracle Forms migrations.

2. Oracle APEX (Application Express)

Oracle APEX is a low-code development platform that enables developers to migrate Oracle Forms to web-based applications. It offers easy integration with Oracle databases and allows for the conversion of Oracle Forms into web applications with minimal changes.

Best for: Organizations looking to stay within the Oracle ecosystem while modernizing their applications

3. Oracle JDeveloper

Oracle JDeveloper is a development environment that can assist with migrating Oracle Forms to Java-based web applications. It provides tools for converting Oracle Forms to Java, as well as integration with Oracle databases.

Best for: Teams familiar with Java who want to migrate Oracle Forms to Java-based applications.

4. ORMIT™-OpenJava

ORMIT™-OpenJava is an open-source solution that automates the migration of Oracle Forms to Java/React/Angular stacks. It converts Oracle Forms and PL/SQL code into standard Java and JavaScript code, ensuring vendor independence and modern development practices.

Best for: Organizations migrating to Java web-based solutions.

5. Ispirer

Inspirer is a commercial tool that automates the migration of Oracle Forms to modern web applications, including Java or .NET. It provides a comprehensive solution for converting both Oracle Forms and PL/SQL code into equivalent code in modern languages.

Best for: Businesses needing an automated migration solution with support for various platforms like Java, .NET, and others.

6. ApexSQL

ApexSQL is a solution focused on converting Oracle Forms and reports to web-based applications, using its conversion suite to streamline the process. It helps migrate both code and data to modern technologies.

Best for: Teams with a need for an easy-to-use, automated solution for Oracle Forms to web migration.

7. Convertigo

A low-code platform that helps migrate Oracle Forms to web and mobile applications. Convertigo focuses on integrating Oracle Forms with modern web technologies, facilitating the transition from legacy to new platforms.

Best for: Companies needing low-code solutions for modernizing Oracle Forms applications.

How to migrate Oracle Forms (step-by-step guide)

Here, we show you how to migrate Oracle Forms using two popular methods: Kodesage (AI-powered) and Oracle APEX. 

Method 1: Kodesage

1. Assess your current system: Start by letting Kodesage analyze your existing Oracle Forms application. It will automatically map out your code, business logic, and dependencies, giving you a clear picture of your system architecture.

2. Choose your target platform: Decide on the modern platform you want to migrate to, like Java, .NET, or a web-based framework. Kodesage will support your choice and ensure a smooth transition to the new environment.

3. Run AI-driven code analysis: Let Kodesage’s AI analyze your Oracle Forms code in detail. Our platform will break down your business logic and what explaining the role of different files, creating an easy-to-understand map of your application.

4. Generate documentation automatically: Kodesage will generate comprehensive documentation of your Oracle Forms system. This saves you time and ensures the documentation stays consistent and accurate throughout the migration process.

5. Refactor and transform your code: Once the migration paths have been define by system architects, Kodesage can make detailed suggestions to transform Oracle Forms code to the target language like Java. It is important to note however, that the transformation suggestions will still need to be reviewed by experienced engineers.

6. Automate testing: Use our automated testing features to run regression and unit tests. This will help you quickly spot any issues and make sure the new system works just like the old one, if not better.

7. Migrate your data: Kodesage does not perform the actual migration itself. But it can provide detailed migration guides that will support the migration team on their path to migrate the actual data.

8. Deploy the modernized application: Once everything is ready, deploy your newly transformed application. Kodesage makes this easy by guiding you through the deployment process and making sure the integration with other systems is seamless.

9. Increase production support efficiency for new system: following the deployment, Kodesage will also support production support teams. By connecting to issue ticketing systems, support teams can get summaries for tickets (in case there are a large amount of comments), and also receive automated fix suggestions for every issue.

Method 2: Oracle Apex

1. Convert Oracle Forms to XML: Use the utility to convert your Oracle Forms files (FormModules, ObjectLibraries, or MenuModules) into XML format. Convert PL/SQL Libraries and Reports to text/XML formats using the respective Oracle Forms Builder and Reports Builder conversion options.

2. Set up the APEX environment: Create a workspace within Oracle Application Express Administration Services and then add the necessary Oracle APEX Users.

3. Upload database objects: Ensure the database objects (tables, etc.) associated with your Oracle Forms application are in the same schema as your APEX workspace. If not, create and run a DDL script to upload them.

4. Create a conversion project: Log in to your APEX workspace, navigate to Application Migrations, and use the Create Migration Project Wizard to load the XML metadata files generated in Step 1.

5. Review and edit metadata: Review the retrieved Forms Modules, Reports, and other objects within the conversion project. Use Annotations to assign priorities and track the conversion progress of the original business logic, which is critical for post-generation implementation.

6. Generate the APEX application: On the project page, click Create Application. This generates the initial APEX application based on the Forms metadata, allowing you to choose a user interface theme and set application defaults.

Kodesage vs Oracle APEX: Which is better for Oracle Forms Migration?

Here’s a comparison table showing the key differences between Kodesage and Oracle APEX.

Best practices for migrating oracle forms 

Conduct a detailed code audit

Perform an in-depth audit of your Oracle Forms code before migration. Identify complex custom logic, triggers, and dependencies that may need significant refactoring to ensure they work in the new platform.

Kodesage can help execute this task seamlessly. Our AI-driven platform automatically analyzes your Oracle Forms code, identifies complex business logic, triggers, and dependencies, and provides detailed insights into areas that may need refactoring. 

Optimize forms for web-based UIs

Oracle Forms uses client-server architecture, which requires specific desktop environments. Modern platforms, being web-based, need a responsive UI that works seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Redesign the interface to ensure it adapts to various devices and screen sizes.

Carry out a phased migration

Migrate Oracle Forms in phases rather than all at once. Start with the most critical forms and features, test them thoroughly, and then gradually migrate other forms. This minimizes risk and ensures a smooth transition with less downtime.

Handle multi-record blocks carefully

Multi-record blocks in Oracle Forms allow multiple records to be displayed and edited at once. If not carefully refactored, these may cause performance issues or unexpected behavior in modern platforms. 

Handling multiple records in the new system often requires approaches like AJAX-based updates or pagination to ensure smooth functionality and performance.

Preserve the ENTER-QUERY mode paradigm

Oracle Forms uses the ENTER-QUERY mode to enable users to query data. When migrating, maintain this querying behavior in the new platform, ensuring the same workflow and user experience, especially if the system relies heavily on complex querying functionality.

Extract logic from POST-QUERY triggers

In Oracle Forms, POST-QUERY triggers are often used for applying business logic after fetching data. Ensure that this logic is preserved when migrating, and refactor it appropriately in the new platform to maintain data integrity and system functionality.

Account for record locking behavior

In Oracle Forms, record locking is used to prevent multiple users from editing the same data simultaneously. Ensure that record locking behavior is properly implemented in the new platform, particularly for applications requiring high concurrency.

Migrate form libraries (PLL) strategically

Oracle Forms libraries (PLLs) contain reusable code. These need to be carefully migrated to the new platform, ensuring that custom logic is preserved. Refactor libraries for compatibility and efficiency in the modernized system.

Migrate your Oracle Forms seamlessly with Kodesage  

Migrating Oracle Forms is a strategic move toward ensuring your organization stays competitive, secure, and scalable. Getting it right depends on following best practices like conducting detailed code audits, optimizing for responsive UIs, and carrying out phased migrations to minimize disruption. 

With Kodesage, you can migrate faster, preserve critical business logic, and ensure a smooth transition to modern platforms like Java, .NET, or cloud technologies. Our AI-powered platform helps you streamline the migration process, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency, while reducing downtime and costs. 

Book a demo today and see how Kodesage can simplify your Oracle Forms migration.