# Oracle Application Server

The Oracle Application Server 10g (the "g" stands for grid) is an integrated, standards-based software platform that forms part of Oracle Corporation's Fusion Middleware technology stack. It is designed to support grid computing and service-oriented architecture (SOA) throughout its lifecycle. The core components of Oracle Application Server include the Oracle HTTP Server, which is based on the Apache HTTP Server, and OC4J (OracleAS Containers for Java EE), which deploys Java EE-based applications. The latest version of OC4J offers full compatibility with the Java EE 1.4 specifications.
Oracle Application Server 10g was the first platform designed for grid computing, providing full lifecycle support for SOA. This platform allows for the efficient management and deployment of applications across a distributed computing environment, making it a robust solution for enterprise-level applications.
The current release of Oracle Application Server, 10g R3, does not feature a metadata repository tier, relying instead on metadata repositories provided in previous releases. This means that while the core functionality remains robust, users may need to integrate with older versions for certain metadata management tasks.
Following Oracle's acquisition of BEA Systems, key features of Oracle Application Server are being integrated with WebLogic Server, ensuring seamless migration and enhanced capabilities. This integration aims to combine the strengths of both platforms, providing users with a more powerful and flexible application server solution.

## History

Oracle Corporation marketed its first application server using the name Oracle Web Server (OWS). A subsequent repackaging resulted in the Oracle Application Server (OAS). A later product, superseding OAS, became the iAS (Internet Application Server).

## Editions

Oracle Corporation subdivides some of its products into varying "editions"—apparently to facilitate marketing and license-tracking.
Available Oracle AS editions include:
* Enterprise Edition
* Standard Edition
* Standard Edition One
* Java Edition

## Components

* Oracle Portal
* Oracle Identity Management
* Oracle Integration
* Oracle Business Rules
* Oracle BPEL Process Manager (option)
* Oracle Business Activity Monitoring (option)
* Oracle Business Intelligence
* Oracle Forms
* Oracle Reports
* Oracle TopLink
* Oracle JDeveloper
* Oracle Application Server Containers for Java EE (OC4J)
* Oracle Enterprise Manager
* Oracle Application Server Web Cache
* Oracle Application Server Wireless
* Oracle Application Development Framework

### OC4J

Oracle Corporation refers to its implementation of the Java EE specification as Oracle Containers for2EE, abbreviated as OC4J. OC4J which was based on the IronFlare Orion Application Server, has been developed solely under Oracle's control since Oracle Corporation the source code.
Orion Application Server was developed by Swedish company IronFlare AB, founded by Magnus Stenman and Karl Avedal. First released in 1999, Orion claims to be the first commercially available application server with full Java EE support.
Oracle Corporation acquired license to the source of Orion in 2001, and developed it as Oracle Application Server Containers for Java EE (OC4J). OC4J and some of its documentation contains reference to the Orion server. Orion developers were involved in maintenance and enhancements of the source for Oracle.
IronFlare became an official Java EE licensee in 2003, which enabled them to access the Sun Microsystems compatibility testing tools to ensure correct implementation of the Java EE specification by Orion. Orion is the only product of IronFlare, hence Orion has been marketed more than the company itself.
The Orion Application Server versions were:
* 1.5.4, February 2002
* 1.6.0, July 2002
* 2.0, March 2003
* 2.0.1, April 2003
* 2.0.2, June 2003
* 2.0.3, May 2004
* 2.0.4, November 2004
* 2.0.5, November 2004
* 2.0.6, February 2005
* 2.0.7, March 2006 (stable release)
* 2.0.8 (experimental build)
OC4J includes the following servers:
* Web Container
* Enterprise JavaBean Container
* JMS Server

## Implementation

Oracle Application Server can utilize an "Oracle AS Infrastructure Database"—an Oracle database instance supporting the Oracle AS Metadata Repository and/or Oracle Identity Management.
OPMN - the Oracle Process Management and Notification server - monitors components of the Oracle Application Server.

## Operation

The opmnctl command is utilized to, stop, and monitor Oracle Application Server components.