When to Use the CUSTOM Library

When to Use the CUSTOM Library


There are several main cases for which you can code logic using the CUSTOM library. Each of these cases must be coded differently.

1. Zoom

The addition of user–invoked logic on a per–block basis. A Zoom typically consists of opening another form and (optionally) passing parameter values to the opened form through the Zoom logic.

2. Logic for generic events

Augment Oracle Applications logic for certain generic form events such as WHEN–NEW–FORM–INSTANCE or WHEN–VALIDATE–RECORD.

3. Logic for product–specific events

Augment or replace Oracle Applications logic for certain product–specific events that enforce business rules.

4. Custom entries for the Special menu

Add entries to the Special menu for Oracle Applications forms, such as an entry that opens a custom form.

5. Setting visual attributes

Use the CUSTOM library to change the visual attributes of Oracle Applications fields at runtime. Use the Oracle Forms built–in SET_VA_PROPERTY to set the properties of the CUSTOM1–CUSTOM5 visual attributes, and then use APP_ITEM_PROPERTY2.SET_PROPERTY to apply the visual attribute to an item at runtime.





To code Zooms into the CUSTOM library:

• Add a branch to the CUSTOM.ZOOM_AVAILABLE function that specifies the form and block where you want a user to be able to invoke Zoom.

• Add a branch to the CUSTOM.EVENT procedure for the ZOOM event. Inside that branch, specify the form and block where you want a user to be able to invoke Zoom. Add the logic you want to occur when the user invokes Zoom.

Supporting Multiple Zoom Events for a Block

As of Release 11i, Oracle Applications provides a referenced list of values (LOV) and corresponding referenced parameter for Zooms in all forms built using the TEMPLATE form (including custom forms). They are the following:

• List of values: APPCORE_ZOOM.

• Parameter: APPCORE_ZOOM_VALUE Use the LOV and parameter to provide users with an LOV where you have more than one Zoom from a particular block.

To code the Zoom LOV into the CUSTOM library:

In the CUSTOM library (within your ZOOM event code):

• Create a record group and populate it with names and values of available Zooms for the block.

• Attach the record group to the APPCORE_ZOOM LOV.

• Call show_lov to display the LOV to the user.

• If user picks a Zoom, the value is returned into the APPCORE_ZOOM_VALUE parameter in the form.

• Retrieve the parameter value and branch your Zoom code accordingly.