Back to the Future of Forms Pt.94

An old chestnut from the UKOUG Development SIG has appeared in a thread on the ODTUG listserv: the Future of Forms. Specifically whether it is worthwhile doing new development work in Oracle Forms. The Tools Statement Of Direction states that extended support for Forms 11g will be available until 2013. There is no statement beyond that, but seven years is a long time in technology.

We do know that by the time Project Fusion has finished in 2013 the whole of the Oracle E-Business Suite will be all Java web stuff, no Forms whatsoever. But the next version of Oracle Applications (12) will still have a hefty slice of Forms in it. Whilst Apps is a consumer of Forms there will be support.

What happens to Forms after Apps no longer uses them is a different matter. Presumably as long as enough people are prepared to keep paying for the licences I guess Oracle will provide support, maybe even enhancements. Which is, I suppose, the real reason for the de-support of client/server Forms.

In the old days Oracle could afford to just licence the Forms IDE, as a way of subsidising the development environment for Oracle Apps. But once Oracle had decided to take the Java open road that stopped being such a big concern. It became more important that Forms customers pay their own way. By requiring Forms users to stump up for Application Server licences Oracle have turned the product into a sustainable revenue stream. Or killed it off. Take your pick.

Update: 19-DEC-2006

I have just noticed that Forms Product Manager Grant Ronald recently wrote on The 2013 Conspiracy.