Introduction
In Oracle APEX, REST Data Sources provide a seamless way to integrate external or internal web services directly into your applications. By using RESTful services, you can consume data from remote systems, APIs, or cloud platforms without having to import or replicate data locally. This not only enhances flexibility but also ensures data consistency and real-time access. APEX makes it easy to define, configure, and use REST Data Sources in reports, charts, forms, and more—enabling developers to build robust and data-rich applications efficiently.
In Oracle APEX, a REST Data Source allows developers to integrate and work with data exposed by RESTful web services directly within APEX components like reports, forms, and charts. This means you can build applications that interact with external APIs or internal RESTful services without needing to replicate or store data in the local database. REST Data Sources provide a powerful mechanism to extend the functionality of APEX applications by bridging the gap between APEX and other data systems or platforms.
To create and use a REST Data Source, navigate to Shared Components in your APEX application. Under Data Sources, choose REST Data Sources and click Create. You’ll have the option to create a REST Data Source manually or by using a Swagger/OpenAPI specification. When creating the source manually, you'll need to provide a Web Source Name, Endpoint URL, and optionally, configure authentication if the REST service requires credentials (such as OAuth2, Basic Auth, or API Keys). APEX allows you to define the request method (GET, POST, etc.), add headers or parameters, and test the REST call directly within the setup screen.
Once defined, REST Data Sources can be consumed in various components. For example, when building an Interactive Report, you can choose REST Data Source as the data source type. APEX automatically maps the returned JSON structure to columns, allowing you to define display settings just like with a traditional SQL-based report. If needed, developers can also define transformations or filtering using SQL-like syntax with the APEX_JSON package or by using SQL Workshop's RESTful SQL features.
You can also bind REST Data Sources to Forms, enabling users to view or update data from external services, assuming the web service supports POST, PUT, or DELETE operations. This requires a more detailed setup where you map form items to JSON fields and define the correct request body formats.
REST Data Sources also support pagination, filtering, and sorting, either on the server side (if the API supports it) or locally within the APEX component. Developers can fine-tune how much data is retrieved and displayed, optimizing performance and responsiveness.
Additionally, APEX provides Web Source Modules as reusable wrappers around REST Data Sources. You can create a Web Source Module that defines endpoints, parameters, and response templates once, and reuse it across multiple pages or components in your app.
REST Data Sources in Oracle APEX make it easier than ever to build dynamic, data-rich applications that work seamlessly with remote systems and APIs. With intuitive setup, secure integration options, and native support across the APEX framework, REST Data Sources unlock a new level of flexibility and scalability for modern application development.
In APEX, a REST Data Source enables developers to seamlessly incorporate external RESTful web services or JSON data feeds into their applications. This functionality allows for the integration of external data into APEX components such as Classic Reports, Interactive Reports, Calendars, and JET Charts.
Types of REST Data Sources in APEX:
Simple HTTP: Designed for straightforward HTTP data feeds where all data is retrieved in a single request. This type assumes the server does not support advanced features like server-side filtering or ordering, requiring manual configuration of invocation details and parameters.
Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS): Targets REST services adhering to Oracle's REST standards, supporting standardized operations (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE). These services facilitate server-side filtering and ordering, allowing APEX to delegate report sorting and filtering to the REST service.
Conclusion
APEX REST Data Sources open up powerful integration capabilities for developers, allowing applications to connect dynamically to remote data with minimal effort. Whether pulling in data from external APIs or internal microservices, REST Data Sources make it easy to extend APEX apps beyond the database. With secure authentication options and native support across APEX components, RESTful integration is a critical tool for modern, scalable application development.
