0. What is the current status of Oracle
JHeadstart?
Oracle JHeadstart 10g release 10.1.3.3 for ADF is production.
It
is now available for license and supplement option holders.
For more information and a list of new features, see the
JHeadstart Product Center.
1. What is Oracle JHeadstart?
JHeadstart is a development tool kit, fully integrated with JDeveloper
and based and JDeveloper's Application Development Framework (ADF),
that enables rapid component based development of J2EE applications
using
the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern. It provides you with
4GL-like
productivity without jeopardizing the flexibility and openness of the
J2EE
architecture.
JHeadstart consists of four main components:
JHeadstart Editor,
easy-to-use editor to record highly functional meta data, accompanied
by a wizard that automatically generates the initial meta data based on
data collections in the model layer. Starting with the data model
you've designed for your ADF business service, you use the editor to
iteratively
refine a higher-level application structure definition. This controls
the functionality
and organization of the view objects' information in your generated web
user
interface. By checking boxes and choosing various options from dropdown
lists, you
describe a logical hierarchy of pages that can include multiple styles
of search regions,
List of Values (LOV's) with validation, shuttle controls, nested tables,
and other
features. These declarative choices use terminology familiar to Oracle
Forms and
Designer users, further simplifying web development.
JHeadstart Application
Generator, an
additional extension for JDeveloper that stands on the shoulders of
Oracle ADF's
built-in features to offer complete web-tier generation for your
application modules.
Based on the application
structure definition, you generate a complete web application.
Whenever you run the JHeadstart application generator, rather than
generating code, it
creates (or regenerates) all of the declarative view and controller
layer artifacts of your
ADF-based web application. These use the ADF Model layer and work with
your ADF
application module as their business service. The generated files are
the same kinds
you produce when using JDeveloper's built-in visual editors. The key
difference is that
JHeadstart creates them in bulk based on a higher-level definition that
you can
iteratively refine until the generated pages match your end-users'
requirements as
closely as possible.
JHeadstart Forms2ADF Generator
(JFG) allows you to reuse Oracle Forms elements and properties
when creating Oracle ADF applications.
The JFG creates the Business Services (ADF Business Components)
and the JHeadstart meta data (Application Definition).
After that you can run the JHeadstart Application Generator
to generate an ADF web application based on the User Interface definitions
that have been extracted from the Oracle Form.
JHeadstart Runtime,
these components extend the ADF Framework with best practices collected
on Oracle Consulting's ADF projects. The generic and highly
configurable runtime components are the basis of the advanced features
provided by the JHeadstart Application Generator, easily leveraging the
most
sophisticated features that Oracle ADF and JSF have to offer.
2. What is included?
JHeadstart includes the following:
JHeadstart Meta Data Generator, that generates initial meta data
based on ADF Business Components.
JHeadstart Application Generator (New Application Definition Wizard); generates J2EE applications
from
JDeveloper based on ADF Business Components, JSF, and ADF Faces.
JHeadstart Forms2ADF Generator; creates ADF Business Components and a JHeadstart Application Definition file
based on Oracle Forms files.
JHeadstart Runtime, which includes generic reusable components.
JHeadstart Editor, Application Definition editor to declaratively
specify the structure of the applications (the meta data).
JHeadstart Developer's Guide, explaining how to drive the
generators
and how to customize the generated application.
JHeadstart JavaDoc, describes the classes of the JHeadstart
Runtime and the JHeadstart Application Generator, for use in your own
application runtime, or in your custom generator templates,
respectively.
3. What is the price of this bundle?
The price is set at USD 1,750 per named user (developer). The
supplement
option is a yearly fee of 15% of the license price. There is a minimum
of 3 licenses. Be aware that the
10.1.3.3 release is part of the supplement option only! So to
acquire this
release you will have to acquire the supplement option. You can
download the software from the supplement option portal. For more
information
on the supplement option see Question 6.
4. How can I obtain JHeadstart?
You can obtain Oracle JHeadstart through Oracle Consulting.
Otherwise
you may send an e-mail to idevcoe_nl@oracle.com.
See also Question 3 and Question 6.
4a. Is an evaluation copy available?
Yes, an evaluation copy of JHeadstart 10.1.3.2 is
available from
OTN.
The evaluation versions may only be used for evaluation purposes
and not for development of
systems
that are intended to be taken in production. The 10.1.2.x and
10.1.3.x production releases are only available to supplement option
holders.
5. Where can I find more information?
You can find more information about JHeadstart on OTN.
Support
6. Will upgrades/patches be provided?
Yes, for point releases, patches, small/minor upgrades, extra utilities
etc. a supplement option is available. This supplement option has
a yearly subscription fee of 15% of the price paid for the licenses. If
you
want to acquire the supplement option check the check box on the order
form and give your my.oracle.com user name to your Oracle Consulting
Representative
or the Oracle Direct representative. You will then be given access to a
portlet on my.oracle.com where you can download the new
components. The 10.1.2 and 10.1.3 releases of JHeadstart are
part of the supplement option.
New major releases are planned but not scheduled and can be given
a new price.
7. Is there a discussion forum?
Yes there is a discussion
forum on OTN. You can ask questions and the JHeadstart Team
monitors
the list, moderates the discussion and provides answers on a best
effort
basis. There is no guarantee that an answer will be given.
8. Is it supported other than through the
discussion
forum?
Support is arranged through Oracle Consulting on a time and material
basis and not through
Oracle Support Services. Some Oracle Countries
have
introduced Oracle Consulting Ticketbooks. These can be used to acquire
support on
JHeadstart
as well.
Partners
9. Are partners allowed to buy Oracle
JHeadstart?
Yes, partners are allowed to buy Oracle JHeadstart but only for use on
internal development projects. If they want to use Oracle JHeadstart
for the development of an application system that is build for a 3rd
party, that 3rd party has to acquire licenses for the partner's
resources.
Independent Software Vendors that develop packaged applications for
multiple customers and are member of the Oracle Partner Network are
allowed to develop these packaged applications with their Oracle
JHeadstart licenses. In this case the
end-customer does not need to pay for Oracle JHeadstart licenses. In
the case that the end customers wants to customize the packaged
application customer needs to acquire Oracle JHeadstart licenses.
10. Are partners allowed to resell Oracle
JHeadstart?
No.
Services and Training
11. Which consulting services are available?
The following services are available for customers that are interested
in JDeveloper in combination with JHeadstart:
J2EE
Pilot (4 days)
During a J2EE pilot on Oracle JHeadstart consultant will develop a
system in 4 days based on your requirements. During the pilot the
consultants will transfer knowledge to your development staff. At the
end the application will be demonstrated and an advice is given how
your organization can proceed with J2EE in your organization.
ADF
JHeadstart Workshop (5 days)
A 5 day workshop (either through Oracle University or
on site) where an experienced Oracle Consultant trains your development
staff using JHeadstart.
JHeadstart Project Support - depends on projects
You have decided to use JHeadstart but want to be sure it is applied
correctly and have a seasoned Oracle Consultant on site to quickly
solve
issues that may arise. Oracle offers JHeadstart Project Support in this
situation.
JHeadstart Application Development (Oracle Consulting
executes
the projects)
Of course Oracle Consulting can do the whole project for you using
JHeadstart. This can either be on site or in one of Oracle's E-Business
Studios.
The following services are available for customers that are
interested
in Forms to Java migration:
JHeadstart Forms to Java Quick Scan (2-10 days)
In this Quick Scan Oracle Consulting investigates what it takes to
migrate your forms application to J2EE. We not only scan your
applications
but also your development team, development approach, technical
architecture
and impact on end users.
JHeadstart Forms to Java Pilot (1-4 weeks)
The pilot demonstrates how JHeadstart can help you to move to J2EE.
You will see what JHeadstart does for you and what it does not. It
shows
you where you have to make choices and gives you hands on experience.
This
service is a great start if you want to migrate your Forms or want to
create a hybrid application from one single meta data repository; Forms
applications for the power end users and J2EE/HTML applications for
field
personnel or the internet.
JHeadstart Forms to Java Migration (depends on scope)
In this service Oracle Consulting actually migrates your applications
to J2EE. Duration of this service depends on the result of the Quick
Scan
and the Pilot.
ADF
JHeadstart Workshop (5 days)
A 5 day workshop (either through Oracle University or
on site) where an experienced Oracle Consultant trains your development
staff using JHeadstart.
For more information about these services contact your Oracle
Consulting
Representative or send an e-mail to idevcoe_nl@oracle.com.
ADF JHeadstart
Workshop (5 days): includes a best practices introduction to ADF and covers JHeadstart.
Technical Questions and Direction
13. What are the benefits of JHeadstart when I
do
not want to use the generators?
If you do not want to use the generators for some reason you can still
benefit from JHeadstart. The JHeadstart runtime components provide you
with best practice extensions to the ADF Framework.
14. What is status of
JHeadstart
Designer Generator in release 10.1.3?
JHeadstart 10.1.3.2 includes the JHeadstart
Designer-Forms Migrator (JDM), which is the 10.1.3 version of the 10.1.2 JHeadstart
Designer Generator (JDG). It has been renamed since regeneration is no longer supported.
The functionality that was previously included in the JDeveloper ADF Business Components Generator
(which is not available anymore in JDeveloper 10.1.3) is included in the
JHeadstart Designer-Forms Migrator.
In JHeadstart 10.1.3.3 it has been replaced by the JHeadstart Forms2ADF Generator,
which reads directly from Oracle Forms, as opposed to reading from the Oracle Designer Repository.
This allows you to migrate both Forms generated from Designer, as well as manually developed
Oracle Forms and generated Forms that have been modified after generation.
15. What is the relationship between
JHeadstart, ADF and ADF Faces?
JHeadstart 10.1.3 is fully based on ADF and ADF Faces. In other
words, JHeadstart
generates ADF applications. JHeadstart adds an extra level of
productivity by generating applications instead of building page by
page using drag-and-drop. Furthermore it implements a number of best
practices that Oracle Consulting experienced in different projects
world-wide. The complete ADF Design time facilities can be used in
every
application that is generated with JHeadstart.
16. Not applicable anymore
17. What about JHeadstart and TopLink as a
Model
implementation? TopLink
cannot be used as Model Implementation with the current JHeadstart 10g
for ADF release.
18. What about JHeadstart and CDM RuleFrame?
JHeadstart generated applications fully support CDM RuleFrame. This
means that CDM RuleFrame validates business logic and reports errors
back
to the JHeadstart application in a similar way as it does for an Oracle
Forms application. Both the JHeadstart application and the Forms
application
share the same business logic that is located in CDM RuleFrame in the
database.
Of course the use of CDM RuleFrame is not a prerequisite for the use of
JHeadstart. You also have the option to include your business
logic
in ADF Business Components.
19. What is the future direction of JHeadstart?
JHeadstart will align with future developments of ADF, especially in the
area of rich clients (JDeveloper 11g). In addition we plan to add new generation
capabilities for more complex layout structures to further enhance
developer productivity and investigate integration with BPEL to further
support the implementation of Service Oriented Architectures, including
generation of a webservices API layer based on the Application
Definition metadata.
21. Can I continue developing a JHeadstart-generated application
without JHeadstart?
Yes, you can continue without using the JHeadstart design-time tools. The generated
applications are ADF compliant and can be developed further with the normal ADF tools of JDeveloper.
You do need the JHeadstart Runtime Library, but with JHeadstart you receive the complete
Java source code of the JHeadstart Runtime Library so you can make any changes you want.
In practice, customers prefer to keep generating their applications because whatever
you want to have in your JSF files (pages and faces-configs),
you can put in the generator templates of JHeadstart at the desired level (application / group / item).
Version History
Date
Version
By
Remarks
21-aug-2002
1.0
Ton van Kooten
Initial Creation
15-nov-2002
1.1
Ton van Kooten
Added question 4a about trial licenses
10-feb-2003
1.2
Ton van Kooten
fixed typo
21-aug-2003
1.3
Ton van Kooten
Changed a number of questions and answers as a
consequence of the new JHeadstart release 9.0.4,
included questions about new features (2a), BC4J
Generator (14) and ADF (15, 15a)
Updated question 4a since evaluation copy is now
available on OTN and added question 19.
18-feb-2005
1.4
Ton van Kooten
Updated the FAQ for new release 10.1.2
01-sep-2005
1.5
Ton van Kooten
Updated the FAQ for new release 10.1.2.1
28-apr-2006
1.6
Ton van Kooten
Updated the FAQ for 10.1.3 preview release
30-aug-2006
1.7
Ton van Kooten
Updated for the 10.1.3 release
06-okt-2006
1.9
Ton van Kooten
Updated for the 10.1.3 Evaluation Release
23-feb-2007
1.10
Ton van Kooten
Updated question 9 to better explain licensing for
ISV's that are member of the Oracle Partner Network
(OPN)
16-apr-2007
1.11
Ton van Kooten
Added information on release 10.1.3.1, and the new
license policy of a 3 lics minimum.
15-oct-2007
1.12
Sandra Muller
Changed information because of release 10.1.3.2,
added link to support matrix, added question 21.
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