Hide Concurrent Requests In Oracle Apps SRS Window

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Introduction

In Oracle Applications, the concurrent request submission process is a critical aspect of managing background tasks and scheduled jobs. When you use the fnd_request.submit_request function within your custom code, such as in an after-report trigger, it's common for these requests to appear in the Submit Request window, also known as the SRS (Standard Request Submission) window. However, there are scenarios where you might want to hide these requests from the user interface. This article delves into the reasons for hiding concurrent requests, the methods to achieve this, and the implications of doing so. We will explore how to effectively manage the visibility of concurrent requests submitted via fnd_request.submit_request in Oracle Apps.

Understanding Concurrent Requests in Oracle Applications

Concurrent requests are the backbone of background processing in Oracle Applications. They allow users to offload time-consuming tasks, such as report generation, data loading, and batch processing, without tying up their user sessions. The fnd_request.submit_request function is the primary means of programmatically submitting these requests. This function allows you to specify various parameters, including the application, program, description, start time, and parameters for the request. When a request is submitted, it enters a queue and is eventually picked up by a concurrent manager for execution. The output and status of these requests are typically visible in the SRS window.

When using fnd_request.submit_request, the default behavior is for the submitted request to be visible in the SRS window. This is generally desirable, as it allows users and administrators to monitor the progress of their jobs. However, there are situations where this visibility is not required or even undesirable. For instance, if you have background processes that are integral to the application's functionality but are not meant to be directly managed by users, you might want to hide these requests. Another scenario is when you have a high volume of automated requests that could clutter the SRS window and make it difficult for users to find relevant information. Furthermore, there might be cases where the technical nature of the request is not suitable for end-users, and displaying it could cause confusion.

Reasons for Hiding Concurrent Requests

  1. Background Processes: Some processes are designed to run in the background without user intervention. These might include data synchronization tasks, system maintenance jobs, or internal application processes. Displaying these requests in the SRS window can clutter the interface and provide unnecessary information to users. The goal is to keep the SRS window clean and focused on user-initiated requests.
  2. Automated Tasks: Applications often have automated tasks that are scheduled to run regularly. These tasks, such as generating reports, archiving data, or performing system health checks, may not require user monitoring. Hiding these requests reduces noise in the SRS window and allows users to focus on their own submissions. By automating these tasks and hiding them from the SRS window, you can streamline the user experience and improve system manageability.
  3. Technical Complexity: Some requests involve complex technical details that are not relevant to end-users. Displaying these requests might confuse users or lead to unnecessary support inquiries. By hiding them, you can present a simplified view of the system to the user community. The focus is on providing users with the information they need without overwhelming them with technical details.
  4. Security Considerations: In certain scenarios, hiding concurrent requests can be a security measure. You might not want to expose the details of sensitive background processes to unauthorized users. This ensures that only authorized personnel are aware of and can monitor specific system operations. Security is a critical aspect of application design, and hiding requests can contribute to a more secure system.
  5. Clutter Reduction: A high volume of concurrent requests can make the SRS window difficult to navigate. Hiding less important or automated requests can significantly reduce clutter, making it easier for users to find the requests they need. This leads to improved user satisfaction and efficiency.

Methods to Hide Concurrent Requests in Oracle Apps

There are several methods to hide concurrent requests submitted via fnd_request.submit_request in Oracle Applications. Each method has its own advantages and considerations. Let's explore the most commonly used approaches.

1. Using the hidden Parameter in fnd_request.submit_request

The fnd_request.submit_request function includes a hidden parameter that allows you to control the visibility of the request in the SRS window. By setting this parameter to TRUE, you can prevent the request from being displayed to users. This is the most straightforward and recommended method for hiding concurrent requests.

Syntax:

request_id := fnd_request.submit_request (
   application   => 'your_application_short_name',
   program       => 'your_concurrent_program_short_name',
   description   => 'Request Description',
   start_time    => SYSDATE,
   sub_request   => FALSE,
   argument1     => 'argument_value1',
   argument2     => 'argument_value2',
   hidden        => TRUE -- Set this to TRUE to hide the request
);

Example:

DECLARE
   request_id NUMBER;
BEGIN
   request_id := fnd_request.submit_request (
      application   => 'XXCUST',
      program       => 'XX_CUSTOM_PROCESS',
      description   => 'Background Data Sync',
      start_time    => SYSDATE,
      sub_request   => FALSE,
      argument1     => 'parameter1',
      argument2     => 'parameter2',
      hidden        => TRUE
   );
   DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Request ID: ' || request_id);
   COMMIT;
END;
/

In this example, the concurrent request submitted for the XX_CUSTOM_PROCESS program will not be visible in the SRS window because the hidden parameter is set to TRUE. The process will still run in the background, but users will not see it in their request listings. This approach is particularly useful for hiding automated tasks or background processes that do not require user monitoring.

2. Creating Custom Views or Stored Procedures

Another method to hide concurrent requests is to create custom views or stored procedures that filter the data displayed in the SRS window. This approach involves querying the FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS table and applying specific criteria to exclude certain requests from the results. While this method is more complex than using the hidden parameter, it provides greater flexibility in defining the conditions for hiding requests.

Steps:

  1. Create a Custom View: Define a view that selects the necessary columns from the FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS table but excludes requests based on specific criteria, such as the program name, user ID, or submission time.
  2. Modify the SRS Window (Customization): Customize the SRS window form or the underlying query to use the custom view instead of the standard FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS table. This can be achieved through form personalization or custom development.

Example of a Custom View:

CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW XX_CUSTOM_CONC_REQUESTS_V AS
SELECT
   request_id,
   concurrent_program_id,
   user_id,
   description,
   actual_start_date,
   actual_completion_date,
   status_code
FROM
   fnd_concurrent_requests
WHERE
   concurrent_program_id NOT IN (
      SELECT concurrent_program_id
      FROM   fnd_concurrent_programs
      WHERE  concurrent_program_name = 'XX_HIDDEN_PROGRAM'
   );

This view excludes requests submitted for the XX_HIDDEN_PROGRAM concurrent program. To apply this view, you would need to customize the SRS window form or the underlying query to use XX_CUSTOM_CONC_REQUESTS_V instead of FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS. This customization typically requires advanced knowledge of Oracle Forms and application development.

Stored Procedures for Filtering

Alternatively, you can create stored procedures to filter concurrent requests based on your specific criteria. These stored procedures can be used to generate dynamic queries that exclude certain requests from the SRS window. This approach provides a more programmatic way to manage the visibility of concurrent requests.

3. Using Form Personalization

Oracle Forms Personalization allows you to customize the behavior and appearance of forms without modifying the underlying code. You can use form personalization to hide specific concurrent requests from the SRS window based on predefined criteria. This method is less invasive than custom development and can be implemented by functional consultants with appropriate permissions.

Steps:

  1. Open the SRS Window: Navigate to the Submit Request window in Oracle Applications.
  2. Access Form Personalization: Open the Form Personalization window (usually through the Tools menu).
  3. Create a New Rule: Define a new personalization rule that targets the block and item displaying the concurrent request information.
  4. Set the Criteria: Specify the criteria for hiding requests, such as the program name or description.
  5. Implement the Action: Configure the action to hide the row or item in the SRS window when the criteria are met.

Example of Form Personalization:

Assume you want to hide requests with the description 'Internal Data Load'. You would create a form personalization rule with the following settings:

  • Trigger Event: WHEN-NEW-RECORD-INSTANCE
  • Trigger Object: REQUESTS (the block containing request information)
  • Condition: :REQUESTS.DESCRIPTION = 'Internal Data Load'
  • Action Type: PROPERTY
  • Target Object: REQUESTS.REQUEST_ID (or any other item in the row)
  • Property Name: DISPLAYED
  • Value: FALSE

This rule will hide any row in the SRS window where the description matches 'Internal Data Load'. Form personalization is a flexible approach that allows you to implement various customizations without modifying the base code.

4. Custom Concurrent Program Logic

You can embed logic within your custom concurrent programs to conditionally submit requests and control their visibility. This approach involves modifying the program code to check certain conditions before submitting a request and setting the hidden parameter accordingly. This method provides fine-grained control over when and how requests are submitted and displayed.

Example:

DECLARE
   request_id NUMBER;
   hide_request BOOLEAN := FALSE;
BEGIN
   -- Check a condition to determine if the request should be hidden
   IF some_condition_is_met THEN
      hide_request := TRUE;
   END IF;

   request_id := fnd_request.submit_request (
      application   => 'XXCUST',
      program       => 'XX_CONDITIONAL_PROCESS',
      description   => 'Conditional Process',
      start_time    => SYSDATE,
      sub_request   => FALSE,
      argument1     => 'parameter1',
      argument2     => 'parameter2',
      hidden        => hide_request
   );

   DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Request ID: ' || request_id);
   COMMIT;
END;
/

In this example, the hide_request variable is set based on a condition (some_condition_is_met). If the condition is true, the request will be hidden; otherwise, it will be visible in the SRS window. This approach allows you to implement complex logic for controlling request visibility based on application-specific requirements.

Implications of Hiding Concurrent Requests

While hiding concurrent requests can be beneficial in certain scenarios, it's important to consider the implications and potential drawbacks. Hiding requests can impact users' ability to monitor background processes, troubleshoot issues, and verify the completion of tasks. Therefore, it's crucial to implement appropriate monitoring and notification mechanisms to ensure that hidden requests are properly managed.

Monitoring Hidden Requests

  1. Custom Monitoring Tools: Develop custom monitoring tools or reports to track the status of hidden concurrent requests. These tools can provide administrators with a comprehensive view of background processes and help identify any issues or failures.
  2. Alerting Mechanisms: Implement alerting mechanisms that notify administrators when hidden requests encounter errors or fail to complete successfully. This ensures that problems are addressed promptly, even if the requests are not visible in the SRS window.
  3. Logging: Ensure that your applications log sufficient information about hidden requests, including submission time, parameters, status, and any error messages. This logging data is essential for troubleshooting and auditing purposes.

User Notifications

If users need to be informed about the completion or status of hidden requests, implement notification mechanisms such as email alerts or custom messages within the application. This ensures that users are aware of the outcome of background processes, even if they cannot see the requests in the SRS window.

Auditing and Compliance

Hiding concurrent requests can also have implications for auditing and compliance. It's important to ensure that you maintain proper records of all requests, including those that are hidden. This may involve implementing additional logging or reporting mechanisms to track the submission, execution, and completion of hidden requests. Regular audits should be conducted to verify the integrity and accuracy of the request management process.

Best Practices for Managing Concurrent Request Visibility

To effectively manage the visibility of concurrent requests in Oracle Applications, consider the following best practices:

  1. Use the hidden Parameter: Whenever possible, use the hidden parameter in fnd_request.submit_request as the primary method for hiding requests. This is the simplest and most efficient approach.
  2. Document Your Choices: Clearly document the reasons for hiding specific concurrent requests. This documentation should include the purpose of the request, the criteria for hiding it, and any monitoring or notification mechanisms that are in place.
  3. Implement Monitoring: Implement robust monitoring mechanisms to track the status of hidden requests. This may involve custom reports, alerts, or dashboards that provide real-time visibility into background processes.
  4. Provide User Feedback: If users need to be informed about the status of hidden requests, implement notification mechanisms to keep them updated. This can help prevent confusion and ensure that users are aware of the outcome of background processes.
  5. Regularly Review and Audit: Regularly review and audit your concurrent request management practices to ensure that they are aligned with your business requirements and compliance standards. This review should include an assessment of the criteria for hiding requests, the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms, and the adequacy of user notifications.

Conclusion

Hiding concurrent requests in Oracle Applications can be a valuable technique for managing background processes, reducing clutter in the SRS window, and simplifying the user experience. By using the hidden parameter in fnd_request.submit_request or implementing custom views, form personalization, or program logic, you can effectively control the visibility of requests. However, it's essential to consider the implications of hiding requests and implement appropriate monitoring and notification mechanisms to ensure that background processes are properly managed. By following best practices and regularly reviewing your concurrent request management practices, you can optimize the performance and usability of your Oracle Applications environment.

This article has provided a comprehensive overview of how to hide concurrent requests submitted via fnd_request.submit_request in Oracle Apps SRS window. By understanding the reasons for hiding requests, the methods to achieve this, and the implications of doing so, you can make informed decisions and implement effective solutions for managing background processes in your Oracle Applications environment.