Query to find Oracle Alert

The following query finds all enabled custom alerts. You can comment out the very last two lines (alr.enabled_flag and alr.created_by) to display all both enabled and disabled alerts.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Query to find Custom Oracle Alert

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT alr.application_id,

       alr.alert_id,

       alr.alert_name,

       alr.start_date_active,

       alr.description,

       alr.sql_statement_text

  FROM alr.alr_alerts alr

 WHERE 1=1

   AND alr.created_by <> 1      -- show only custom alerts

   AND alr.enabled_flag = 'Y';  -- show only enabled alerts

Alert in Oracle Apps

Alerts are basically used automate the system maintenance, provide reports in the format chosen, for database activity/Business Requirement as it occurs..

few scenarios:
- A database event which was supposed to be monitored for instance insert into some table(event based alert).
- A SQL statement which provides specific information (event based alert).
- The frequency we want the report of a SQL statement(periodic alert)

Responsibility Name: Alert Manager
Pre-requisites:

Navigation: Alert Manager --> System --> Options

-- Electronic Account Mail setup
-- Oracle Alert Mailbox

Navigation: Alert Manager --> System --> Installations
-- Setup if there are any CUSTOM application where the Alert needs to be created.

Types of Alerts: Event based and Periodic
Both types of alerts are defined by SQL statement specified in the SQL section.
Periodic Alert: Navigate to alert form and select the periodic Alert option and then below tasks to be performed.

- Application Name : Application name that owns the alert
- Alert Name : Name of the alert(up to 50 chars) with some meaningful description(up to 240 chars) and check the enabled field.
- Frequency : Select the frequency of the alert,below are the available options.

On Demand
On Day of the month
On Day of the week
Every N calendar Days
Every Day
Every Other Day
Every N Business Days
Every Business Day

Every Other Business Day
Also Start time and end time, number of times in 24 hours and end date if not required after some date.

- SQL : Enter a SQL Statement that retrieves all the alert information, that can used for actions to be planned.Thestatement should have INTO clause and one

output field.
Example: Input field    :INPUT_NAME
     Output field   &OUTPUT_NAME

Oracle Alert does not support pl/sql statements, but we have a provision to create the database function and use in theSQL statement.

SELECT PACKAGE.FUNCTION_NAME(:INPUT_VALUE) INTO &OUTPUT_VALUE FROM DUAL;

IMPORT Option: Rather than creating a SQL statement, we can also import from file and can use in the application.

Event Alert: Navigate to alert form and select the Event Alert option and then below tasks to be performed.
- Application Name : Application name that owns the alert
- Alert Name : Name of the alert(up to 50 chars) with some meaningful description(up to 240 chars) and check the enabled field
- Specify the event table name (application be different that the table resides) but privileges should be present.
- Check the insert/update, when the alert has to be fired.

- SQL : Enter a SQL Statement that retrieves all the alert information, that can used for actions to be planned.Thestatement should have INTO clause and one

Oracle Alert does not support pl/sql statements, but we have a provision to create the database function and use in the SQL statement.

Also make sure there is a condition based on the event table in the SQL, by using :ROWID condition.

Example:
SELECT user_name INTO &NEWUSER FROM fnd_user WHERE rowid = :ROWID;

The SQL statement should be verified, run then it should be saved in the alert.

- Alert Details: Provide the input,output and installation/user id details.

- Action: Create the action Name and click on the action details.
Action type can be set as Message,SQL Statement script and operating system script.
and provide the details for the message details like To list and message data.

- Action sets: Once the alert actions are created, those alert actions can be included in the action sets.

Notify when SO is booked or new line is entered on booked order

Based on a request from one of our reader, below are the steps on how to notify users when an order is booked or new line is inserted on a booked order.

The Alert below will send notification once a day in the morning at 8:00 am.

1) Define Alert

Query used is

SELECT ooh.order_number
    , ool.line_number||'.'||ool.shipment_number line_number
    , ordered_item, ordered_quantity, ool.flow_Status_code
INTO &order_num, &line_num,&Item_num, &Quantity, &line_Status
FROM oe_order_headers_all ooh, oe_order_lines_all ool
WHERE ooh.header_id = ool.header_id
AND 
( ooh.booked_date >= to_date(Sysdate,'DD-MON-RRRR HH24:MI:SS')
 OR (ool.creation_Date >= to_date(Sysdate,'DD-MON-RRRR HH24:MI:SS')
   AND ool.creation_date > ooh.booked_date)
)

2) Define Actions
Click on the actions button and then actions Detail button and define message as shown in screenshot. Note that the message type is summary.

3) Define Action Sets
Click on action sets and then action set details and in the members tab enter the action defined in step 2

4) Schedule the Request
Navigate to Request --> Check and submit the alert. Based on the definition of alert it will be scheduled to run.

Kindly let me know if any questions.

ALERTS Interview Questions and Answers in Oracle Apps

1.    What are Oracle Alerts?

Oracle Alerts are used to monitor unusual or critical activity within a designated database. The flexibility of ALERTS allows a database administrator the ability to monitor activities from table space sizing to activities associated with particular applications. Alerts can be created to monitor a process in the database and to notify a specific individual of the status of the process.

2.    What are the different types of alerts, Define it?

You can define one of two types of alerts: an event alert or a periodic alert.

Event alert: An event alert immediately notifies you of activity in your database as it occurs.

Periodic alert: A periodic alert, on the other hand, checks the database for information according to a Schedule  you define.

3.    What are the different business uses of Alerts?

a) Keep you informed of critical activity in your database

b) Deliver key information from your applications, in the format  you choose to provide you with regular reports on your database information

c) Automate system maintenance and routine online tasks Information about exception conditions.

4.    What can be done with Alerts?

·         You can send notifications

·         You can send log files as attachments to notifications

·         You can call PL/SQL stored procedures.

·         You can send approval emails and get the results.

·         Print some content dynamically

5.    What types of actions can be generated when an Alert is triggered?

When an alert is executed, the alert can send an email message, run a concurrent program, run an operating system script, or run a SQL statement script. Using response processing, Oracle Alerts can solicit a response from a specific individual and perform an action based on the response that it receives.

6.    What is On-Demand periodic alert?
It is a periodic alert with frequency as ‘On-Demand’. That means there is no specific period assigned to this alert and you can run this alert at any time you want using Request Periodic Alert Check form.

7.    What database events can cause what actions?

An insert and/or an update to a specific database table

8.    What actions can you perform in an alert?

An action can entail sending someone an electronic mail message, running a concurrent program, running an operating script, or running a SQL statement script. You include all the actions you want Oracle Alert to perform, in an action set.

9.    How event alert works?
When you define an event alert to monitor a table for inserts and/or updates, any insert or update to the table will trigger the event alert. When an insert or update to an event table occurs, Oracle Alert submits to the concurrent manager, a request to run a concurrent program called Check Event Alert. The concurrent manager runs this request according to its priority in the concurrent queue. When the request is run, Check Event Alert executes the alert Select statement. If the Select statement finds exceptions, Check Event Alert performs the actions defined in the enabled action set for the alert. If the Select statement does not find any exceptions, Check Event Alert performs the No Exception actions in the enabled action set for the alert.

10.  What do you specify when creating a Periodic Alert?

a. A SQL Select statement that retrieves specific database information

b. The frequency that you want the periodic alert to run the SQL statement

c. Actions that you want Oracle Alert to perform once it runs the SQL statement.

11. Can you define Alert on Oracle Applications Tables?

Yes

12. What is Periodic Set?
You can create a set of periodic alerts that Oracle Alert checks simultaneously. Use the Request Periodic Alert Check window to check the periodic set. Note that each periodic alert you include in a periodic set continues to run according to its individually defined frequency.

  13. How alert is different from database triggers?

a) Code can be modified and viewed in a screen

b) Periodic alert is not possible through Database trigger

c) Oracle Alert will also transfer your entire alert definition across databases. You can instantly leverage the work done in one area to all your systems.

d) Customizable Alert Frequency with Oracle Alert, you can choose the frequencyof each periodic alert. You may want to check some alerts every day, some only once a month, still others only when you explicitly request them.

  14.  What is Action Set?

An action set can include an unlimited number of actions and any combination of actions and action groups for your alert. You can define as many action sets as you want for each alert. Oracle Alert executes the alert Select statement once for each action set you define. During each action set check, Oracle Alert executes each action set member in the sequence you specify.

  15. Can you define detailed or summary actions in alert?

Yes, Detail or Summary Actions you can choose to have Oracle Alert perform actions based on a single exception or a combination of exceptions found in your database.

  16. What is Distribution List in Oracle Alert?
Distribution lists let you predefine a set of message recipients for use on many actions. If a recipient changes, you need only adjust it in the distribution list, not in the individual message actions.

  17.  Can you specify History Maintenance?

      Alert History Oracle Alert can keep a record of the actions it takes and the exceptions it finds in your database, for as many days as you specify.

  18. Can you perform actions when NO exceptions are found?

No Exception Actions : Oracle Alert can perform actions if it finds no exceptions in your database, same as alert actions.

  19. What are the Action Levels for your alert actions?
There are three types of level for your action: Detail, Summary and No Exception.
During an alert check, a detail action performs once for each individual exception found, a summary action performs once for all exceptions found, and a no exception action performs when no exceptions are found.

Alerts In Oracle Apps

Oracle Alert

What are Oracle Alerts?

Oracle Alerts monitor your Database information and notify you when the condition that you have specified is found. You can define Alerts in any Oracle application or custom Oracle application. Some applications (Purchasing, for example) supply Alerts that Can simply be activated and used. There are two type of Alerts, Event and Periodic.

Alerts are 2 types of alerts in oracle apps.
1. Periodic Alerts
2. Event based Alerts.

Event Based Alerts: 

These Alerts are fired/triggered based on some change in data in the database.

Periodic Alert:
These Alerts are triggered hourly,daily, weekly, monthly or yearly based on your input.

EX: Employee Birthday can be any calendar day of the year. So we will tell oracle apps 
to check daily once every calender day and see if today is employee's birthday and send email if true.

You need Alert Manager Responsibility to define a new Alert.
Navigate:
Alert Manager -> Alert -> Define

We need to write SQL which satisfies our condition and also to fetch required details.

SELECT global_name, 
               date_of_birth,
               email_address into &emp_name,
               &dob, 
               &emp_email
FROM    per_all_people_f
WHERE trunc(sysdate) between effective_start_date and effective_end_date
     AND to_char(to_date(date_of_birth),'dd') = to_char(to_date(sysdate),'dd')
     AND to_char(to_date(date_of_birth),'mm') = to_char(to_date(sysdate),'mm');

Note:

• Your periodic alert Select statement must include an INTO clause that contains one output for each column selected by your Select statement.
•  Identify any inputs with a colon before the name, for example, :INPUT_NAME.
• Identify any outputs with an ampersand (&) before the name, for example, &OUTPUT_NAME.
• Do not use set operators in your Select statement.
• You can use PL/SQL functions in your Select statement to fetch complex business logic.

• §  Enter the name of the application that will own the alert
  §  Enter a suitable Name of the alert (up to 50 characters), and 
      give it a meaningful description (up to 240 characters).
  §  Select a frequency for your periodic alert. You can choose from nine frequency options:
  1.    On Demand
  2.    On Day of the Month
  3.    On Day of the Week
  4.    Every N Calendar Days
  5.    Every Day
  6.    Every Other Day
  7.    Every N Business Days
  8.    Every Business Day
  9.    Every Other Business Day
  
  
  §  Choose ‘On Demand’ frequency when you are developing a periodic alert so that you can test your alert at any time you want. When you will sure that the alert is working fine, then you can change the frequency as per business need.
  §  Depending on the frequency you choose in the previous step, the Start Time and End Time fields become enabled.  You may also specify the number of times within a 24-hour period that Oracle Alert checks your alert.
  §  Specify a value in the Keep _ Days field to indicate the number of days of exceptions, actions, and response actions history you want to keep for this alert.
  §  Specify a value in the End Date field if you want to disable your alert by a certain date.
  §  Enter a SQL Select statement that retrieves all the data your alert needs to perform the actions you plan to define.

Check the SQL for syntax using "verify" button.

If any row that matches condition, it is called exception in Alert.
So when you click "run" button, it will display the number of exceptions occurred.

Next step is to define action if condition matches.
Don't forget to select action level of type "Detail". 
This is because action should be performed once for every Alert Exception.

Then click on "Action Details" button and define the email message as shown below.

We also need "Action Sets" and attach the action which we just created.

Now we have to test this Alert:

Go to Alert Manager -> Request -> Check, and schedule the Alert to run it sometime after current time.
It will submit a concurrent program. [In this example CP Name is "Birthday Wishes E-mail Alert (Check Periodic Alert)"]

Once concurrent program is successfully ran, we can verify the number of exception from
Alert Manager -> History and query for alert.

Oracle Alert - Basics

Idea of this post is to create a simple alert and test if it is working or not.
Just for example, assume a requirement to send Happy birthday mail to employees in an organization.

As you might already know by now, there are 2 kinds of alerts in oracle apps.
Periodic Alerts and Event based Alerts.
You are correct, we have to choose Periodic alert for our requirement.

Employee Birthday can be any calendar day of the year. So we will tell oracle apps 
to check daily once every calender day and see if today is employee's birthday and send email if true.

You need Alert Manager Responsibility to define a new Alert.
Navigate through Alert Manager -> Alert -> Define
Fill the options as given in the screenshot below.

Note that we need to write SQL which satisfies our condition and also to fetch required details. Here is the SQL

select global_name, date_of_birth, email_address
into &emp_name, &dob, &emp_email
from per_all_people_f
where trunc(sysdate) between effective_start_date and effective_end_date
AND to_char(to_date(date_of_birth),'dd') = to_char(to_date(sysdate),'dd')
AND to_char(to_date(date_of_birth),'mm') = to_char(to_date(sysdate),'mm');

You can check the SQL for syntax using "verify" button.

One point here, if any row that matches condition, it is called exception in Alert.
So when you click "run" button, it will display the number of exceptions occured (number of rows that satisfied the condition).

Next step is to define action if condition matches. Don't forget to select action level of type "Detail". This is because action should be performed once for every Alert Exception.

Then click on "Action Details" button and define the email message as shown below.

That's not enough, we also need "Action Sets" and attach the action which we just created. Just follow the screenshots to do that.

Now comes the question, how do we test this Alert?

Go to Alert Manager -> Request -> Check, and schedule the Alert to run it sometime after current time.
It will submit a concurrent program. [In this example CP Name is "Birthday Wishes E-mail Alert (Check Periodic Alert)"]

Once concurrent program is successfully ran, we can verify the number of exception from
Alert Manager -> History and query for alert.

Which means our Alert is working.
Note that you can do many more than just sending mails. Alert can execute SQL code/function/procedures and it can also run concurrent programs.
So why wait, go ahead and explore more. :-)

Alert in Oracle Forms for User Response

Here is how a alert can be used in Oracle Forms for user response.
   
     DECLARE
       al_id Alert;
       al_button NUMBER;
    BEGIN
         al_id := Find_Alert('');
        
         al_button := Show_Alert(al_id);
        
         IF al_button = ALERT_BUTTON1 THEN -- Alert_button1 value is OK
          --<<--Your Condition-->>
          null;
         ELSE
           --<<--Your Condition-->>
           RAISE Form_trigger_Failure;
         END IF;
    END;

Interview Questions : Oracle Alerts

1.  What are the different business uses of Alerts?

        Ans:

a)      Keep you informed of critical activity in your database

b)      Deliver key information from your applications, in the format you choose to provide you with regular reports on your database information

c)       Automate system maintenance and routine online tasks Information about exception conditions.

2.       What are the different types of alerts, Define it?

      Ans:

You can define one of two types of alerts: an event alert or a periodic alert.

Event alert: An event alert immediately notifies you of activity in your database      

as it occurs.

Periodic alert: A periodic alert, on the other hand, checks the database for information according to a schedule you define.

3.       What database events can cause what actions?

Ans: An insert and/or an update to a specific database table

4.       What actions can you perform in an alert?

Ans: An action can entail sending someone an electronic mail message, running a concurrent program, running an operating script, or running a SQL statement script. You include all the actions you want Oracle Alert to perform, in an action set.

5.       What do you specify when creating a Periodic Alert?

Ans:

a.       A SQL Select statement that retrieves specific database information

b.      The frequency that you want the periodic alert to run the SQL statement

c.       Actions that you want Oracle Alert to perform once it runs the SQL statement.

6.       Can you define Alert on Oracle Applications Tables?

Ans: Yes

7.       How alert is different from database triggers?

Ans:

a)      Code can be modified and viewed in a screen

b)      Periodic alert is not possible through Database trigger

c)       Oracle Alert will also transfer your entire alert definition across databases. You can instantly leverage the work done in one area to all your systems.

d)      Customizable Alert Frequency with Oracle Alert, you can choose the frequencyof each periodic alert. You may want to check some alerts every day, some only once a month, still others only when you explicitly request them.

8.       Can you define detailed or summary actions in alert?

Ans: Yes, Detail or Summary Actions you can choose to have Oracle Alert perform actions based on a single exception or a combination of exceptions found in your database.

9.       Can you perform actions when NO exceptions are found?

Ans: No Exception Actions : Oracle Alert can perform actions if it finds no exceptions in your database, same as alert actions.

10.   Can you specify History Maintenance?

Ans: Alert History Oracle Alert can keep a record of the actions it takes and the exceptions it finds in your database, for as many days as you specify.

Alerts in Oracle Application

Oracle Alert facilitates the flow of information within your organization by letting you create entities called alertsto monitor your business information and to notify you of the information you want. You can define one of two types of alerts: an event alert or a periodic alert.

Event Alert:

An event alert immediately notifies you of activity in your database as it occurs. When you create an event alert, you specify the following:

• A database event that you want to monitor, that is, an insert and/or an update to a specific database table.

• A SQL Select statement that retrieves specific database information as a result of the database event.

• Actions that you want Oracle Alert to perform as a result of the database event. An action can entail sending someone an electronic mail message, running a concurrent program, running an operating script, or running a SQL statement script. You include all the actions you want Oracle Alert to perform, in an action set.

Periodic Alert:

A periodic alert, on the other hand, checks the database for information according to a schedule you define. In a periodic alert specify the following:

• A SQL Select statement that retrieves specific database information.

• The frequency that you want the periodic alert to run the SQL statement.

• Actions that  Oracle Alert to perform once it runs the SQL statement. An action can entail sending the retrieved information to someone in an electronic mail message, running a concurrent program, running an operating script, or running a SQL statement script. We include all the actions we want Oracle Alert to perform, in an action set.

Navigation in Oracle Apps to define an alert:

Go to “Alert Manager” Responsibility
Alert >> Define

Transfer Alert from one instance/database to other:

Go to “Alert Manager” Responsibility
Alert >> Define
Go to “Tools” Menu on top
Click on “Transfer Alert”
Enter source and destination fields and click Transfer.

How to define an periodic alert:

1. Go to Alert Manager > Alert > Define.
2. Select the ‘Periodic’ Tab.
3. Enter the name of the application that owns the alert in the Application field.
4. Name the alert (up to 50 characters), and give it a meaningful description (up to 240 characters).
5. Check Enabled to enable your periodic alert.
6. Set the frequency for the periodic alert to any of the following:

• On Demand
• On Day of the Month
• On Day of the Week
• Every N Calendar Days
• Every Day
• Every Other Day
• Every N Business Days
• Every Business Day
• Every Other Business Day

Enter a SQL Select statement that retrieves all the data your alert needs to perform the actions you plan to define. Your periodic alert Select statement must include an INTO clause that contains one output for each column selected by your Select statement.

Here is an example of a periodic alert Select statement that looks for users who have not changed their passwords within the number of days specified by the value in :THRESHOLD_DAYS.:

SELECT user_name,
password_date,
:THRESHOLD_DAYS
INTO &USER,
&LASTDATE,
&NUMDAYS
FROM fnd_user
WHERE sysdate = NVL(password_date,
sysdate) + :THRESHOLD_DAYS
ORDER BY user_name

Although Oracle Alert does not support PL/SQL statements as the alert SQL statement definition, you can create a PL/SQL packaged function that contains PL/SQL logic and enter a SQL Select statement that calls that packaged function.

You can verify the accuracy and effectiveness of your Select statement. Choose Verify to parse your Select statement and display the result in a Note window.

Choose Run to execute the Select statement in one of your application’s Oracle IDs, and display the number of rows returned in a Note window.

Once you are satisfied with the SQL statement, save your work.

Specifying Alert Details:

Once you define an event or periodic alert in the Alerts window, you need to display to the Alert Details window to complete the alert definition. The Alert Details window includes information such as which Application installations you want the alert to run against, what default values you want your inputs variables to use, and what additional characteristics you want your output variables to have.

Creating Alert Actions:

After you define your alert you need to create the actions you want your alert to perform. There are four types of actions you can create:

• message actions

• concurrent program actions

• operating script actions

• SQL statement script actions

Choose Actions

Enter a name (up to 80 characters) and description (up to 240 characters) for your alert action.

Select a level for your action: Detail, Summary, or No Exception.

Choose Action Details to display the Action Details window.

Select the type of action you want to create in the Action Type field

Creating an Event Alert:

Specify the name of the application and the database table that you want Oracle Alert to monitor.

Note: You cannot use a view as the event table for your alert.

Check After Insert and/or After Update if you want to run your event alert when an application user inserts and/or updates a row in the database table.

Specify a value in the Keep _ Days field to indicate the number of days of exceptions, actions, and response actions history you want to keep for this alert.

Specify a value in the End Date field if you want to disable your alert by a certain date.

Important Alert Tables:

• ALR_ALERTS
• ALR_ACTIONS
• ALR_ACTION_SETS
• ALR_ACTION_SET_INPUTS
• ALR_ACTION_SET_OUTPUTS
• ALR_ACTION_SET_MEMBERS
• ALR_ALERT_CHECKS
• ALR_ALERT_INPUTS
• ALR_ALERT_OUTPUTS
• ALR_ACTION_SET_CHECKS
• ALR_RESPONSE_SETS
• ALR_RESPONSE_ACTIONS
• ALR_VALID_RESONSES

Oracle Alert uses the following internal views:

•  ALR_ALERT_ACTIONS_VIEW
•  ALR_ALERT_HISTORY_VIEW
•  ALR_CHECK_ACTION_HISTORY_VIEW
•  ALR_INSTALLATIONS_VIEW
•  ALR_PERIODIC_ALERTS_VIEW
•  ALR_RESPONSE_ACTIONS_VIEW
•  ALR_SCHEDULED_PROGRAMS
•  ALR_VARIABLES_AND_OUTPUTS