5 Business / Technical Brief / Oracle Forms
Standalone Launcher (FSAL) / Version 12.2.1.19.0 Rev 0
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Understanding the Forms Standalone Launcher
The Forms Standalone Launcher (FSAL) mimics several client/server concepts, however with some modern flare. In
the early days of Oracle Forms client/server, end-user machines required the installation of the Oracle Forms runtime
software, as well as the application(s) planned to be run on that machine. This was often a cumbersome process and
consumed significant disk space. Having the software and application installed on the user machines was sometimes
viewed as a security issue since it gave the user direct access to the runtime software, utilities included with it, and the
compiled application(s) modules.
In the past, to make end-user machine administration easier, some organizations elected to not install the software
locally and instead took advantage of remote installations and remote access across the network. Although the
concept of remote access or remote desktop sharing worked in many cases, it too came with issues and was not (and
still is not) consider a supported configuration by Oracle.
FSAL takes the best of both concepts; client/server and web. Using FSAL can provide the appearance and power of a
natively installed application, very much like client/server Forms. The application runs in its own parent window,
unlike when running a form in a browser. As a result, there is no risk of accidentally navigating away from the running
form by pressing the Back or Forward button, or clicking a bookmark, etc. With FSAL, the application will be hosted
on a centralized application server (e.g. WebLogic Server), just as in any web deployed Forms versions. This means
the Forms application modules are securely stored on the remote middle tier server. Although the user will not have
direct access to the Forms modules (e.g. FMX, MMX, PLX, etc.), which are on the remote server, they will be able to
run these applications using a typical URL previously used when running in a browser.
The use of FSAL supports all the same functionality found when running a form in a browser, except event driven
single sign-off. Single sign-on is supported beginning with 12.2.1.4.0. JavaScript integration support for applications
launched using FSAL can be added/enabled with a provided add-on (WJSI) in 12.2.1.3.0+ and a third party library
(Eclipse/Jetty). Beginning with 12.2.1.19.0, FSAL can be launched using custom protocol handlers from web pages.
Requirements
The Forms Standalone Launcher
As mentioned, the FSAL feature is only available in the Forms 12c family and newer. The configuration requires that a
small Java JAR file (frmsal.jar) be transferred to and stored on the end-user machine. This file/utility can be
transferred to the end-user machine using any desirable method (e.g. web download, email, ftp, custom installer,
etc.). The utility can be stored anywhere on the user’s machine as long the user has access to that directory and
utility. Storing it in the user’s home directory is recommended, but not required.
The frmsal.jar file is the “Forms Standalone Launcher” (FSAL). It is version specific; therefore it is not supported to
use frmsal.jar from one installation against another. A checksum is also used to help ensure that the file is properly
matched to the server and its Forms’ version. This checksum is also helpful in ensuring that the launcher (frmsal.jar)
has not been accidentally or maliciously replaced. As a result, you cannot use frmsal.jar downloaded from a Microsoft
Windows server to run an application against a UNIX/Linux server or vice versa. The launcher is not client platform
specific. It can be used on Microsoft Windows, Unix/Linux, or Apple Mac client machines. Essentially, any platform
that supports running a Forms certified Oracle Java version can use FSAL.
All installations come with a Usage/Syntax web page that illustrates how to use the launcher, as well as providing a
download link for the frmsal.jar file. The page can be accessed using a URL like this:
https://yourserver:port/forms/html/fsal.htm