External libraries are typically used to extend APEX so you (and the APEX development team) don't need to build certain features from scratch.
One of the advantages of applying the latest patches is that the external libraries that come with APEX carry an update too. Most known examples of external libraries are AnyChart (chart engine in APEX) and the CKEditor (Rich Text Editor), but there are some other nice libraries that come with APEX too.
Here's an overview of the libraries that you will find in the images folder:
Some are declaratively integrated in APEX for example respond-js is part of the Blue Responsive theme, some others are not, for example twitter-bootstrap and another part is used in some sample or packaged apps, for example jquery-flot.
Having those libraries already there, means you can more easily integrate those in your own apps yourself too. Remember, if you want to go the extra mile it's worthwhile to create an APEX plugin so it's easier to reuse.
If you want to know more about those libraries, you find the links below:
| Library | (latest) version in APEX | Latest version of library |
| 960.gs | 120203 | 130207 |
| bgiframe | 2.1.1 | 2.1.2 |
| ckeditor | 3.6.4 | 4.1.1 |
| codemirror | 0.66 | 3.12 |
| ios-inspired-theme | 121106 | 121106 |
| jquery | 1.7.1 | 1.9.1 / 2.0.0 (no support IE6/7/8) |
| jquery-autocomplete | 1.1 | deprecated - part of jQuery UI |
| jquery-colorpicker | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| jquery-flot | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| jquery-jstree | 0.9.9a2 | pre 1.0 fix 2 |
| jquery-mobile | 1.2.1 | 1.3.1 |
| jquery-qtip2 | 2.0-6.26.2011 | 2.0.1 |
| jquery-quicksand | 1.2.2 | 1.3 |
| jquery-ui | 1.8.22 | 1.10.3 |
| jquery-validate | 1.7 | 1.11.1 |
| modernizr | 2.5.3 | 2.6.2 |
| respond-js | 1.1.0 | 1.1.0 |
| selectivizr | 1.0.2 | 1.0.2 |
| twitter-bootstrap | 2.2.1 | 2.3.1 |
Many of the libraries come out with newer versions more frequently than there are APEX patches.
So note that APEX is not always including the latest version of the library.
So note that APEX is not always including the latest version of the library.
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ReplyDeleteOh sorry, you answered my question already in your posting
ReplyDelete"Some are declaratively integrated in APEX [...] some others are not, for example twitter-bootstrap"
please ignore my previous comment..:-))
Nice article!
ReplyDeleteDo you have an idea how to upgrade the standard jquery mobile library to 1.3.1 replacing te standard 1.2.1?
You can always replace the files in the images folder, but it's not a recommended way as it would get overwritten with every patch of APEX or new version.
ReplyDeleteAlso that version is not tested in APEX.
I would create a plugin that serves the new files.
Trying to figure out why, after upgrading from APEX 4.1 to APEX 4.2, my JavaScript code seems to no longer work as before. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteDid you copy the images folder to the webserver?
ReplyDeleteAlso JQuery got updated so you might use some code that is not compatible with that version?
This is cool!
ReplyDeleteand how do i add a new library?
ReplyDelete