Getting started with OAF

I am writing some basic OAF related articles for beginners.

Lets get start with Jdeveloper installations and setup required to build/extend OAF page.

1> How to know which version of Jdeveloper patch to download.
    > Login to your Oracle application.
    > On Homepage at bottom left click on 'About this Page'
    > Click on tab 'Technology Components'

    > Note down the OA Framework and Oracle OA Components Versions.
    > Download the related Jdev patch from Oracle metalink.
2> Now unzip the downloaded patch it should have three subfolders jdevbin, jdevdoc and jdevhome  and a file OAEXT_README.txt.
3> Rename the parent folder as per your convenient.(Ex: Jdeveloper).
4> Configure the JDEV_USER_HOME Environment Variable
     > Select My Computer, right-click and select Properties.
     > In the System Properties dialog, select the Advanced tab.
     > In the Advanced page, select the Environment Variables... button.
     > In the Environment Variables dialog, select the New... button at the User variables      for <username> box.
    > In the New User Variable dialog, enter JDEV_USER_HOME in the Variable Name field. Set the Variable Value field to path of jdev folder.
      (Ex: C:\Jdeveloper\jdevhome\jdev)
5> Get the database connection file (.dbc) from $FND_SECURE directory.
     

     > Put this file to <Path of Jdeveloper install directory>\jdevhome\jdev\dbc_files\secure directory   
        (Ex : C:\Jdeveloper\jdevhome\jdev\dbc_files\secure)
6> Create a shortcut at desktop and launch Jdeveloper
     > Jdeveloper should be launched from <Path of Jdeveloper install  directory>\jdevbin\jdev\bin\jdevw.exe.
7> Double check the OA Framework and Oracle OA Components Versions
     > Help > about > Version

 >> Now we will create a simple search page Create a simple search page