5 Points to consider before you start working to develop PaaS extensions on Java Cloud Service -SaaS Extension for your HCM, ERP or CX Cloud, these are based on my experience working on JCS-SX. Just to reiterate, Java Cloud Service is a PaaS component to use for the development of any additional functionality required to meet business requirements while implementing Oracle SaaS/Cloud Applications HCM/ERP/CX. Java Cloud Service: We have seen over the past few years that due to complex requirements for custom extension development  Java Cloud Service enterprise edition with Database Cloud service is the right fit for custom development. As it gives you full control over the development and management of Java as a PaaS model to fulfill high requirements due to the high workload of your organizations. Visual Builder Cloud Service: VBCS is the low code development platform which is available now as a part of Oracle Integration Cloud. VBCS can be used to develop light-weight extensions development, integrate with external systems, and incorporate business processes.

1 – RESTFUL API Catalog

One of the important elements of building PaaS extensions for Oracle SaaS Application is how it will talk to SaaS application (HCM, ERP) weather through Web services or any other method is available? When I started working on this, it took me some time to understand so here is my recipe for you to cook quickly and save your time.

Each SaaS application has exposed a set of web-services to communicate to external applications and we should be aware of these available web-services, this is very important as any PaaS extension require a call to the SaaS application.

You should have comprehensive info on exposed web-services from Oracle SaaS products, refer to these links to find out REST APIs

a – API Catalog to find out all exposed web-services. A place to find out all info on APIs for Applications, Platform and Infrastructure.

b- Go to https://docs.oracle.com/cloud and go to your desired Application, like HCM Cloud or ERP and click on Integrate (left side), you will get a link to “Connect with REST APIs”

2 – Cloud Rapid Development Kit

The Oracle Applications Cloud User Experience Rapid Development Kit (RDK) is a set of free resources that will help you learn faster, design simpler, and build quickly your PaaS extensions. RDK is one of the great resources to start developing your extension today with a minimal learning curve. RDK provides great resources as summarized below:

A-Download RDK from OTN, you should have installed JDeveloper on your desktop

B-Open RDK in JDeveloper

C-Navigate to DemoMaster>Web Content>Index.html and run it in JDeveloper

D-It will open sample apps build in RDK.

RDK provides you sample Extension pages developed for Fin, HCM with Simplified GUI, you can start building your own extension, RDK comprises everything you need to build great-looking, user-friendly applications that look and feel like the simplified user interface in the Oracle Applications Cloud. It also contains a very guide on how to build and deploy in Oracle Cloud Applications Simplified UI.

3 – Design Patterns/wireframes

Rapid Development Kit provides wireframe template in ppt format, can be download from RDK wireframe templates. RDK also provides UX design patterns ebook. These two are exceptional resources to design PaaS Extension for Cloud Applications. You got all that you want to draw your layout/format and get your user feedback/comments before start developing.

4 – Choice of IDE environments

Oracle Java Cloud Service – SX Software Development Kit (SDK) is a downloadable package that provides tools that facilitate the management of Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension instances and the development of applications for the Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension in Oracle Cloud. Apart from this, you have a choice to use your favorite IDE (Integrated Development Environment). You can use:

• Oracle JDeveloper with Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension or Java Cloud Service
• NetBeans with Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension or Java Cloud Service
• Oracle Enterprise Pack for Eclipse with Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension or Java Cloud Service

Chose IDE which is best suited to you or you have already working experience, this choice will enable you to start developing quickly.

5 – How easy to deploy a developed PaaS extension?

I never thought about it before start working on JCS that deploying an Application on Cloud will be so easy, you can get step-by-step instructions/methods on this tutorial. Deploying an Application to Oracle Java Cloud Service – SaaS Extension, we need to create and uploads the WAR (Web Application Archive) file or EAR (Enterprise Archive) file through GUI, it’s so simple.

In the case of using Oracle Java Cloud Service, you have full access to the environment and the Weblogic server administration console will be used to deploy any custom development extension. refer link deploy application on Java Cloud Service

Bounce point:

How easy to embed PaaS Developed functionality in SaaS application GUI. You can refer to my earlier blog pots. PaaS4SaaS How to add PaaS developed App link in Oracle HCM Cloud

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