Downloading Oracle APEX 21.2: A Step-by-Step Guide

Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a powerful low-code development platform that lets you build sophisticated web applications quickly. With its intuitive interface and vast library of features, APEX simplifies the creation of scalable, secure, and data-driven apps. If you want to harness the power of APEX, let’s dive into how to download version 21.2.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you’ll need to ensure that you have the following in place:

• An Oracle Database: APEX runs within an Oracle database. You can use versions from 11gR2 and onwards, including cloud-based Oracle databases.
• Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS): ORDS is needed to enable RESTful web services for your APEX applications.
• Supported web browser: APEX is best accessed using modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

Steps to Download Oracle APEX 21.2

1. Visit the Oracle APEX website: Access the official Oracle APEX website at https://www.oracle.com/tools/downloads/apex-downloads.html.
2. Select the APEX 21.2 download: Find the download link for Oracle APEX 21.2. Note that the download will be a zip file.
3. Accept the License Agreement: Read and agree to Oracle’s license agreement before starting the download.
4. Save to your computer: Choose a suitable location on your computer to save the APEX zip file.

Installing Oracle APEX

Once you have the zip file, here’s the general installation process (detailed instructions may vary slightly based on your database setup):

1. Extract the zip file: Unzip the downloaded APEX file and put it into the desired folder.
2. Connect to your Oracle database: Use a tool like SQL*Plus or SQL Developer to connect to your database as a privileged user (e.g., SYS or SYSTEM).
3. Run the installation script: From the command line, navigate to the extracted APEX folder and execute the apexins.sql script. This will install necessary database objects.
4. Configure APEX RESTful Services: Run the apex_rest_config.sql script to configure ORDS.

Additional Considerations

• ORDS Installation: If you don’t have ORDS, you must download and install it separately. The downloads and instructions are on the Oracle website.
• Database Compatibility: Always verify on the Oracle APEX download page that the version of APEX you’re downloading is compatible with your Oracle database version.

You’re all set!

Once the installation is complete, you can access your APEX environment by going to the following URL in your web browser, replacing ‘hostname’ and ‘port’ accordingly:

http://hostname:port/ords/

• Enter your database credentials, and you’ll be presented with the APEX workspace login screen.