Working with EXIT_FORM, CLOSE_FORM, and NEW_FORM in Oracle Forms

Oracle Forms applications often consist of multiple forms that interact with each other. Users may need to exit a form, close it without committing changes, or navigate to another form. For these purposes, Oracle provides built-in procedures such as EXIT_FORM, CLOSE_FORM, and NEW_FORM. Each of these procedures serves a unique role in form navigation and transaction handling. Knowing when and how to use them is crucial for building stable and user-friendly Oracle Forms applications.

In this tutorial, we will explore these three built-ins in detail, understand their differences, and see practical examples of how to use them effectively.

EXIT_FORM in Oracle Forms

The EXIT_FORM built-in is used when you want to terminate the current form session and optionally commit or rollback any pending changes. This is the most common way of exiting a form.

Key Points

• Exits the current form and returns to the calling form or menu.
• Can commit changes if specified.
• Can rollback changes if the user chooses not to save.

Syntax

EXIT_FORM([options]);

Options Available

• NO_VALIDATE – Exits immediately without validation.
• ASK_COMMIT – Prompts the user to save changes if there are uncommitted transactions.
• DO_COMMIT – Commits the changes automatically before exiting.

Example

BEGIN
   EXIT_FORM(ASK_COMMIT);
END;

In this case, the user will be prompted whether they want to commit changes before leaving the form.

CLOSE_FORM in Oracle Forms

The CLOSE_FORM built-in is used when you want to close a form that was opened using the OPEN_FORM procedure. Unlike EXIT_FORM, this built-in does not necessarily terminate the Oracle Forms session; it simply closes the specified form.

Key Points

• Only works on forms opened with OPEN_FORM.
• Does not exit the entire application; control returns to the calling form.
• You can close a specific form by passing its name.

Syntax

CLOSE_FORM(form_name);

Example

BEGIN
   CLOSE_FORM('EMPLOYEE_FORM');
END;

This will close the EMPLOYEE_FORM if it was opened previously with OPEN_FORM.

Difference from EXIT_FORM

• EXIT_FORM exits the current form completely (with commit/rollback options).
• CLOSE_FORM closes a child form and returns to the parent form without affecting transactions of the parent form.

NEW_FORM in Oracle Forms

The NEW_FORM built-in is used when you want to navigate from one form to another, replacing the current form with a new one. Unlike OPEN_FORM, this does not keep the first form open in memory—it discards it.

Key Points

• Loads a new form and discards the current one from memory.
• Does not return to the calling form.
• Useful when you want to switch forms in a sequence.

Syntax

NEW_FORM(form_name);

Example

BEGIN
   NEW_FORM('DEPARTMENT_FORM');
END;

This will close the current form and directly open the DEPARTMENT_FORM.

Important Notes

• Any unsaved changes in the current form may be lost unless committed beforehand.
• Control never returns to the original form once the new form is loaded.

Comparing EXIT_FORM, CLOSE_FORM, and NEW_FORM

To better understand when to use each built-in, let us compare them side by side:

Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Exiting with Confirmation

If you want to ensure the user does not lose data, use:

EXIT_FORM(ASK_COMMIT);

This will prompt them to save before exiting.

Scenario 2: Closing a Child Form

Suppose a user opened the EMPLOYEE_FORM from the MAIN_MENU using OPEN_FORM. To close it and return to MAIN_MENU:

CLOSE_FORM('EMPLOYEE_FORM');

Scenario 3: Navigating to a New Form

If the user is in the LOGIN_FORM and you want to switch to the DASHBOARD_FORM after authentication:

NEW_FORM('DASHBOARD_FORM');

Best Practices

1. Use EXIT_FORM with ASK_COMMIT – This prevents accidental loss of data.
2. Use CLOSE_FORM only for child forms – Avoid using it for main forms.
3. Use NEW_FORM for sequential workflows – Best for scenarios like login to main dashboard navigation.
4. Validate before navigating – Ensure data integrity by validating inputs before committing or closing.
5. Always handle exceptions – Wrap these built-ins in exception blocks to avoid abrupt termination.

Conclusion

Working with EXIT_FORM, CLOSE_FORM, and NEW_FORM in Oracle Forms is essential for controlling user navigation and data management. Each built-in serves a different purpose—EXIT_FORM is for leaving a form with commit/rollback control, CLOSE_FORM is for closing child forms opened via OPEN_FORM, and NEW_FORM is for replacing the current form with a new one. By using them correctly, you can ensure smooth transitions between forms, protect user data, and build more user-friendly Oracle Forms applications.