In modern business applications, multimedia plays an important role in enhancing user interaction. While Oracle Forms is primarily designed for data entry and transaction processing, it also provides the capability to play audio and video files. This feature can be useful in training systems, e-learning platforms, customer support applications, or any environment where multimedia improves user experience. Oracle Forms play audio and video files This guide explains how to play audio and video in Oracle Forms using WebUtil, OLE2 integration, and HTML integration. It also highlights configuration steps, coding examples, and best practices. WebUtil OLE2 integration HTML integration Why Play Multimedia in Oracle Forms? There are many scenarios where integrating audio and video directly into Oracle Forms can be beneficial: E-learning Applications: Display training videos or play tutorial audios.Customer Service: Show demo videos for products or troubleshooting guides.Healthcare Systems: Store and play recorded instructions or consultations.Entertainment & Media: Attach multimedia files to customer records. E-learning Applications: Display training videos or play tutorial audios. E-learning Applications Customer Service: Show demo videos for products or troubleshooting guides. Customer Service Healthcare Systems: Store and play recorded instructions or consultations. Healthcare Systems Entertainment & Media: Attach multimedia files to customer records. Entertainment & Media By combining multimedia with form functionality, Oracle Forms becomes more interactive and informative. Methods to Play Audio and Video in Oracle Forms There are several approaches to integrating multimedia into Oracle Forms: 1. Using WebUtil for File Handling and Client Execution WebUtil allows Oracle Forms to interact with client-side applications. You can upload audio or video files into the database, download them, and then launch a media player on the client machine. launch a media player Example (Launching Media Player): Example (Launching Media Player): DECLARE
   v_result BOOLEAN;
BEGIN
   v_result := WebUtil_Host.NonBlocking('C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe "C:\media\sample.mp4"');
   IF v_result THEN
      MESSAGE('Media started successfully.');
   ELSE
      MESSAGE('Unable to play media.');
   END IF;
END; DECLARE
   v_result BOOLEAN;
BEGIN
   v_result := WebUtil_Host.NonBlocking('C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe "C:\media\sample.mp4"');
   IF v_result THEN
      MESSAGE('Media started successfully.');
   ELSE
      MESSAGE('Unable to play media.');
   END IF;
END; Here, the form calls VLC Media Player to play the file. You can adjust the file path dynamically from the database or user input. 2. Using OLE2 Integration (Windows Environment) On Windows-based client machines, Oracle Forms can use OLE2 automation to control applications like Windows Media Player. OLE2 automation Example (Playing Audio via Windows Media Player): Example (Playing Audio via Windows Media Player): DECLARE
   ole WINSYS.OLE2.OBJ_TYPE;
BEGIN
   ole := OLE2.CREATE_OBJ('WMPlayer.OCX');
   OLE2.SET_PROPERTY(ole, 'URL', 'C:\media\song.mp3');
   OLE2.INVOKE(ole, 'controls.play');
END; DECLARE
   ole WINSYS.OLE2.OBJ_TYPE;
BEGIN
   ole := OLE2.CREATE_OBJ('WMPlayer.OCX');
   OLE2.SET_PROPERTY(ole, 'URL', 'C:\media\song.mp3');
   OLE2.INVOKE(ole, 'controls.play');
END; This directly controls Windows Media Player from within the Oracle Form. 3. Embedding HTML Objects in Forms Oracle Forms allows integration with Java Beans or ActiveX controls. Using this, you can embed a browser object or media control that streams content directly inside the form. Java Beans or ActiveX controls browser object Embed a Java Bean area on the form.Configure it to display an HTML page with tags.The media file can be streamed from the application server. Embed a Java Bean area on the form. Java Bean area Configure it to display an HTML page with tags. HTML page The media file can be streamed from the application server. HTML Example to Embed in Bean Area: HTML Example to Embed in Bean Area: Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. This approach is ideal for centralized control and web-based streaming. Storing and Retrieving Media Files Media files can be stored either in the database (as BLOBs) or on the application server. database application server Database Storage: Secure but can increase DB size. Suitable for sensitive files.Application Server Storage: Better for large files, videos, or frequently accessed multimedia. Database Storage: Secure but can increase DB size. Suitable for sensitive files. Database Storage Application Server Storage: Better for large files, videos, or frequently accessed multimedia. Application Server Storage Use WebUtil File Transfer to upload/download media files as needed. WebUtil File Transfer Best Practices for Multimedia in Oracle Forms To ensure smooth performance and usability, consider the following: Do not store very large video files in the database; use the server file system instead.Choose lightweight media players (like VLC or Windows Media Player) to reduce compatibility issues.Use streaming servers for large video content instead of direct file downloads.Validate file formats (e.g., MP4, MP3, WAV) before playback.Provide fallback messages if the client does not have the required player. Do not store very large video files in the database; use the server file system instead. Do not store very large video files in the database Choose lightweight media players (like VLC or Windows Media Player) to reduce compatibility issues. Choose lightweight media players Use streaming servers for large video content instead of direct file downloads. Use streaming servers Validate file formats (e.g., MP4, MP3, WAV) before playback. Validate file formats Provide fallback messages if the client does not have the required player. Provide fallback messages Conclusion Although Oracle Forms is not primarily designed for multimedia applications, it provides enough flexibility to integrate audio and video playback. By using WebUtil, OLE2, or HTML embedding, developers can play sound and video files either from the database, server, or client machine. audio and video playback When implemented with best practices, multimedia support in Oracle Forms enhances interactivity and provides richer user experiences in enterprise applications. The post Playing Audio and Video in Oracle Forms appeared first on Vinish.Dev. The post Playing Audio and Video in Oracle Forms Playing Audio and Video in Oracle Forms appeared first on Vinish.Dev Vinish.Dev .

Walkthroughs, tutorials, guides, and tips. This story will teach you how to do something new or how to do something better.

This story contains AI-generated text. The author has used AI either for research, to generate outlines, or write the text itself. 

How to Play Audio and Video in Oracle Forms

About Author

Comments

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN

Related Stories

4 Sure Ways to Display PDFs in Oracle Forms

4 Sure Ways to Display PDFs in Oracle Forms

Light-Mode

Classic

Newspaper

Dark-Mode

Neon Noir

Minty

HN StartUps