Cloud · AI · Data · Low-Code
Oracle APEX 24.2: The Next Generation of AI-Powered Low-Code Development
Generative AI, RAG, Vector Search, JSON-native development, smarter workflows, and deeper Oracle Fusion integration — all in one release.
Oracle APEX Continues to Lead Enterprise Low-Code Innovation
Oracle APEX has long been recognized as one of the most powerful low-code development platforms for building secure, scalable enterprise applications. With the release of Oracle APEX 24.2, Oracle has significantly expanded its AI capabilities while introducing powerful enhancements for modern application development.
Whether you are building applications for Oracle Database, Autonomous Database, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS), or Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications, APEX 24.2 enables faster development with less code and more intelligence.
Top New Features in Oracle APEX 24.2
1Built-in Generative AI Integration
The highlight of Oracle APEX 24.2 is its deeper integration with Generative AI. Developers can now easily incorporate AI into applications without writing complex integration code.
New capabilities include:
- Generate Text using Dynamic Actions
- AI-powered application assistance
- Natural language interactions
- AI-enhanced forms
- AI-generated content for applications
2Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Support
Oracle APEX now supports configuring Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) sources for AI interactions through new AI Configurations. Applications can combine multiple knowledge sources to provide context-aware AI responses, improving the accuracy and relevance of generated content.
- Database data
- SQL queries
- Static content
- Business documents
- Enterprise knowledge
3Oracle Database 23ai Vector Search Integration
Oracle APEX 24.2 now supports Oracle AI Vector Search within Search Configurations, enabling advanced semantic search capabilities without coding it from scratch. This enables developers to build:
- Semantic search applications
- Enterprise chatbots
- AI assistants
- Document search portals
- Knowledge management systems
All powered by vector embeddings stored directly in Oracle Database, with fine-tuning available via parameters such as index usage, distance metrics, and maximum vector distance.
4JSON Sources Shared Component
One of the most requested features is finally here. Developers can now create reusable JSON data sources and build applications directly on top of JSON — using a JSON (or JSON Duality View) data source in place of a REST interface during development.1
- JSON Collections
- JSON Tables
- JSON Duality Views
- JSON Documents
Benefits include: faster API development, cleaner application architecture, easier maintenance, and better support for modern microservices.
5Declarative JSON Forms and Reports
Building applications from JSON data has become much simpler. Developers can now create the following directly from JSON sources with declarative DML support:
- Forms
- Reports
- Interactive Grids
- Charts
This significantly reduces development time for REST and API-driven applications.
6Create Data Models Using AI
Another exciting productivity feature is AI-assisted data modeling. Using the APEX AI Assistant, developers can describe their application in natural language and APEX generates an initial database model and associated sample data — focusing on the goal of the data model rather than the syntax.
"Create a help desk application with employees, tickets, priorities, and departments."
APEX can generate the corresponding schema, accelerating project kickoffs.
7Workflow Engine Enhancements
Oracle has significantly enhanced workflow capabilities. Common workflow templates can now be reused, called from other workflows, or partitioned into more manageable units for greater flexibility.
- Nested workflows
- Workflow templates
- Input/output parameters
- Improved human task pages
- Better workflow management
- Reusable workflow components
These enhancements make it easier to automate enterprise business processes with greater modularity and maintainability.
8Oracle Fusion Applications Integration
Organizations extending Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications benefit from a new "Create Fusion Integration" option that automates previously manual configuration steps and adds single sign-on (SSO) and identity propagation setup.
- Improved REST support
- Better project templates
- Fusion starter applications
- Simplified integration with Fusion APIs
This makes Oracle APEX an even more compelling platform for extending Oracle Fusion with custom applications.
9Improved REST Data Sources
REST integration has become more powerful, simplifying connections to SaaS platforms, cloud services, and third-party APIs:
- Enhanced authentication
- Better response handling
- Improved parameter mapping
- Easier API consumption
- Better support for enterprise integrations
10Enhanced Developer Experience
Oracle continues improving developer productivity with updates that streamline development and simplify maintenance of large APEX applications:
- Database object dependency reporting
- Shared component utilization reports
- Better Page Designer experience
- Improved Builder configuration
- Easier page import/export across workspaces
- Resizable dialogs
- Builder extensions
11Universal Theme Improvements
Oracle APEX 24.2 also introduces UI enhancements that help developers create modern, visually appealing applications with less custom CSS:
- Font APEX 2.4
- Additional utility CSS classes
- Improved template components
- Better content grouping
- Enhanced responsive layouts
Why Oracle APEX 24.2 Matters
Oracle APEX 24.2 demonstrates Oracle's commitment to embedding AI directly into enterprise application development while strengthening support for modern architectures such as JSON-centric applications, Vector Search, and Oracle Database 23ai.
For organizations already invested in the Oracle ecosystem, APEX remains one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver enterprise applications — it is included as a no-cost feature with any Oracle Database service, including Autonomous Database.
| Oracle Platform | How APEX 24.2 Adds Value |
|---|---|
| Oracle Database / Database 23ai | Native low-code apps, Vector Search, JSON-native development |
| Oracle Autonomous Database | Included at no extra cost; AI-ready app delivery |
| Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Pay-per-use managed APEX service across global regions |
| Oracle Exadata | High-performance enterprise app hosting |
| Oracle E-Business Suite | Modernize and extend legacy EBS workflows |
| Oracle Fusion Applications | "Create Fusion Integration" with SSO and identity propagation |
Final Thoughts
Oracle APEX 24.2 is more than just a feature update — it represents a major step toward AI-native, enterprise-grade low-code development. By combining Generative AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Search, JSON-native development, enhanced workflows, and Oracle Fusion integration, Oracle empowers developers to build intelligent, scalable, and secure applications faster than ever before.
Whether you are modernizing legacy systems, extending Oracle Fusion or E-Business Suite, or developing new cloud-native applications on OCI, Oracle APEX 24.2 provides the tools to accelerate innovation while reducing development effort.
Authored by
Techvisions · Cloud, AI & Managed Infrastructure(www.techvisions.sa)
Comments