Understand Authentication in Oracle APEX

Authentication in Oracle APEX defines how users gain access to your application and whether their identities are individually recognized or treated as public users with uniform privileges. This distinction is crucial because it determines how user access and permissions are managed.

If your application does not require tracking individual users, all users are treated as public users. Public users share the same level of access and privileges, with no differentiation based on identity. This model is suitable for applications where no personalized data or user-specific security is needed.

However, if your application requires differentiating users—such as providing personalized content, securing sensitive data, or auditing user actions—you must specify an authentication method. Authentication is the process that verifies the identity of each user who attempts to access the application.

How Authentication Works

The authentication process typically requires users to provide credentials, most commonly a username and password. When a user submits these credentials, Oracle APEX validates them against the chosen authentication scheme, which could be APEX accounts, database accounts, LDAP, social login providers, or custom authentication logic.

• If the credentials are valid and authentication succeeds, the user is granted access to the application.

• If the credentials are invalid or authentication fails, the user is denied access and typically redirected to a login page or shown an error.

Tracking Authenticated Users

Once authenticated, Oracle APEX maintains the user’s session and identity throughout their interaction with the application. This is achieved using the built-in substitution string APP_USER. The APP_USER value dynamically reflects the currently logged-in user and updates as the user navigates from page to page.

This mechanism allows APEX to associate session data with the correct user, enabling critical features such as:

• Role-Based Security: By checking the value of APP_USER, the application can enforce access controls based on user roles or privileges.

• Personalization: Applications can tailor content, display user-specific data, or modify the user interface depending on who is logged in.

• Auditing and Logging: Tracking which user performed certain actions is possible by referencing APP_USER in logging or audit trails.

Overall, authentication and the tracking of authenticated users via APP_USER form the foundation for secure, user-aware Oracle APEX applications.