Introduction to Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS)
Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS) is a cloud-based platform provided by Oracle that enables organizations to rapidly build, deploy, and extend modern web and mobile applications with minimal code. It’s designed to help both developers and business users create applications visually, with an easy-to-use, low-code environment.
VBCS leverages Oracle's Cloud Infrastructure to allow users to develop applications that integrate with a wide range of Oracle Cloud applications (like ERP, HCM, etc.), on-premises systems, and third-party services. VBCS is especially useful for developing and deploying enterprise-grade apps quickly and cost-effectively, and it simplifies the creation of web and mobile applications by using drag-and-drop features, templates, and visual design interfaces.
Key Features of Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS)
Low-Code Development
VBCS provides a low-code environment where developers and business users can design applications with minimal hand-coding. This includes visual interfaces for building and managing application components.
Drag-and-Drop Interface
The platform allows users to drag-and-drop UI components to create applications, making it easy for non-developers to design user interfaces without any coding expertise.
Responsive Web and Mobile Applications
VBCS enables the creation of both web-based and mobile applications. Applications built with VBCS automatically adapt to mobile devices and various screen sizes, providing responsive user experiences.
Integration with Oracle Cloud and Third-Party Services
It provides pre-built integrations with Oracle Cloud services such as Oracle ERP Cloud, Oracle HCM Cloud, and others. Additionally, it supports integrations with third-party cloud applications and on-premises systems through RESTful APIs.
Full-Stack Development
VBCS supports the development of full-stack applications by enabling the creation of both the front-end (user interface) and the back-end (data processing, business logic) in the same platform.
Security Features
VBCS integrates security features such as user authentication, role-based access control, and data encryption, ensuring that the applications built are secure and compliant with enterprise security standards.
Custom Logic and Extensibility
Developers can add custom logic through JavaScript, REST APIs, and other integrations to meet specific business requirements. You can also customize workflows and data handling using business rules and custom scripts.
Versioning and Change Management
VBCS provides tools for managing different versions of applications, making it easier to track changes and roll back to previous versions if needed. This ensures better version control in an enterprise environment.
Cloud-Native
Applications built on VBCS are cloud-native, meaning they are designed to take advantage of Oracle's Cloud Infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and ease of deployment.
Components of Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS)
Visual Builder Studio (VBS)
This is the integrated development environment (IDE) within VBCS that helps developers build and deploy applications. It includes a variety of tools for designing, testing, debugging, and managing your applications.
Features in VBS include
Visual drag-and-drop interface for UI development.
Code editor for adding custom logic and business rules.
Version control and change tracking.
Integration with Oracle’s cloud services and APIs.
Web and Mobile App Designer
The App Designer allows users to design responsive web and mobile applications. This includes a visual designer for building user interfaces with various UI components like tables, forms, charts, etc.
It also allows developers to add functionality through actions, buttons, and custom scripts.
API Management and Integration
VBCS comes with built-in connectors for integration with Oracle Cloud and third-party services. APIs and RESTful web services can be easily integrated into applications.
You can also expose your application’s backend functionality as APIs to be consumed by other applications.
Data Models
VBCS enables the creation and management of data models, which represent the structure and relationships of your application’s data. These models help ensure smooth data handling between the UI and back-end systems.
Business Logic and Services
Business logic can be added to applications through JavaScript, REST services, and custom actions. VBCS also supports the development of complex workflows and logic that can be executed within the application.
Deployment and Hosting
Once applications are developed, VBCS provides the tools to deploy the applications directly to Oracle Cloud. It includes built-in hosting capabilities to run applications without needing additional infrastructure or external web servers.
User Authentication and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
VBCS integrates user authentication using Oracle Identity Cloud Service (IDCS), and it supports role-based access control for ensuring secure access to applications and their components.
Analytics and Reporting
VBCS allows you to add analytics and reporting features into your applications, which can help provide business insights, performance metrics, and help users make informed decisions.
Extensibility
VBCS supports a high degree of customization and extensibility, allowing developers to add custom logic, business rules, and third-party integrations to meet specific organizational requirements.
Benefits of Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS)
Faster Application Development
VBCS’s low-code nature accelerates the development process, enabling faster prototyping, quicker deployments, and iterative improvements.
Collaboration Between IT and Business Teams
Since VBCS enables business users to participate in the development process with minimal technical skills, collaboration between IT and business teams becomes more efficient, ensuring that the final applications meet the business needs.
Simplified Integration
Pre-built connectors and the ability to easily integrate with Oracle Cloud applications and other third-party systems simplify the complexity of application development, enabling seamless data and functionality exchange.
Reduced Development Costs
With its low-code environment and pre-built integrations, organizations can reduce the time and cost involved in developing custom applications from scratch.
Flexibility and Scalability
VBCS applications are built to scale. Whether it’s a small application for internal use or a large, enterprise-grade application, VBCS handles scaling seamlessly through Oracle Cloud’s robust infrastructure.
Improved User Experience
The responsive nature of applications built on VBCS ensures that users across devices (mobile phones, tablets, desktops) will have a smooth and consistent experience.
Seamless Deployment
Since VBCS is built on Oracle Cloud, deploying applications built with it is straightforward, requiring no additional infrastructure setup.
Conclusion
Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service (VBCS) is a powerful and flexible platform that simplifies the process of building, deploying, and maintaining web and mobile applications. With its low-code approach, pre-built integrations, and cloud-native capabilities, it allows both business users and developers to rapidly create applications that can transform business processes, improve user engagement, and accelerate digital transformation.