Getting Started with RCUI

Oracle Rich Client User Interface (RCUI) designs UI components that are used in the creation of browser-based applications built on the Oracle ADFUI (RCF/DVT) framework.

RCUI also publishes Usage Guidelines, a set of standards containing usage recommendations for the components. Using these guidelines helps you implement a consistent interaction model and present a reliable and persistent user experience within Oracle applications in terms of:

• application look and feel
• application flow
• layout of pages, and
• interaction of components.

Contents

• RCUI Usage Guidelines for Oracle Product Releases
• Purpose of RCUI Guidelines
• Web Site Features
• General Reference
• Component Guidelines
• Elements of the RCUI Guidelines
• Where to Go Next?

RCUI Usage Guidelines for Oracle Middleware Releases

Each release of the RCUI component guidelines is associated with a particular release of Oracle Middleware.

The Usage Guidelines published on this site correspond to the FusionFX 5.x release of OracleŽ Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 Patch Set 1 (11.1.1.2.0).

Purpose of RCUI Guidelines

The goal of RCUI is to provide users with a seamless and integrated experience when using the full Oracle product line, and promote the usability and ease of use of Oracle products. Oracle applications deliver a consistent user experience through a common look and feel (same color palette, same art direction), and through similar interaction behaviors. For instance, whether a user is searching for an asset in a financial application or searching for a campaign in a marketing application, the search behaviors should not only look the same, but also function and interact the same. The RCUI guidelines provide standards that specify types of common interactions and help you develop products that share the same look.

We recognize that functional requirements across the Oracle suite of products can differ, depending on product needs and user requirements, and the RCUI guidelines are flexible enough to accommodate the needs of developers in various domains, while also promoting consistency and familiarity across product families.

Web Site Features

The RCUI web site offers the following:

• Tree-based table of contents to facilitate browsing among component documentation.
• Guidelines authored with a standard structure, and consistently placed links to help readers navigate both within the guideline and to other guidelines with related information.

General Reference

Refer to the General Reference directory in the RCUI navigation tree to find documentation about requirements applicable to the design of any Oracle products. These requirements include use of language in UI, browser and system requirements for each release, and use of common formats.

Component Guidelines

A component may be a single UI element with a defined look and interaction options. It may also be a group of UI elements that together form a single unit with its own defined look and interaction options. Both types of elements are provided by the RCUI team. The RCUI guidelines provide usage information and examples that specify types of common interactions and help product teams develop products that share the same look. All components are listed in the RCUI navigation tree, along with other guidelines not directly associated with a single component (such as those that describe the keyboard framework or printable page behavior). Using these guidelines to design your application will help ensure consistency throughout the suite of Oracle applications and support tighter product integration.

Elements of the RCUI Guidelines

Each RCUI usage guideline is divided into consistently-named sections to provide an easy way to find information. Each major section header has both a "Return to Top" and a "Bookmark" icon to facilitate navigation. Following is a list of the common sections within a RCUI guideline document, and the types of content that can be found in that section:

• Title, Version, and General Description - This section identifies the guideline, specifies the date it was last updated, and provides a brief abstract describing the guideline.
• Guideline Contents - A Table of Contents list of links to the sections in the current guideline.
• Related Guidelines - A list of links to other RCUI guidelines that are highly related to the current guideline, along with a brief description of the relationship.
• Related ADF Elements - A list of the ADF elements associated with the current RCUI guideline.
• General Principles - Overview information for the entire guideline.
• Content Sections - The body of the guideline divided into sections, subsections, and sub-subsections, depending on the quantity and complexity of the content. Each section has examples and images where appropriate.

Where to Go Next?

Once you've become familiar with the RCUI web site, you will be likely be consulting only the documents that relate to the components in your applications. Before getting underway, we recommend that newcomers to RCUI become familiar with the following directories on the navigation tree. Once you do, you will be comfortable browsing the RCUI site to search for other information you may need to complete your designs.

1. How to Use the Guidelines
2. General Reference: Become familiar with all documents in this section, which provide a background for common elements of Oracle applications.
3. FusionFX UI Designs: Here you will find links to the Usage Guidelines for each specific component. Pay special attention to usage recommendations comparing different components.