Minimal Oracle Forms Open API Container

This repository builds a minimal Oracle Forms 14c (14.1.2) runtime image that is just capable of executing programs built against the Oracle Forms Open API. It intentionally excludes everything that is not required for that API surface (builder GUIs, reports stack, WebLogic, etc.) so the resulting container stays small and narrowly focused.

This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by Oracle Corporation.

Scope and Support

• Only the components that the Oracle Forms Open API needs are present. Anything outside that scope is intentionally missing and will not work.
• This is not a full Oracle Forms installation. Do not expect to deploy complete Forms/Reports domains or run end-user applications here.
• The image is unsupported and must only be used in non-production, developer-only environments.
• Oracle retains all licensing rights to the Oracle software. Use of the Oracle installer and binaries is subject to Oracle's terms.

Prerequisites

Oracle requires that you download the installer yourself. Follow these steps before building:

1. Download "Oracle Forms and Reports 14.1.2.0.0" from oracle.com. You need an Oracle account and must accept their license.
2. Copy the V1045121-01.zip file into the repository root. The provided formsreports.response and oraInst.loc files remain beside it and are consumed during the silent install stage.

Building the Image

docker build -t oracle-forms-openapi:14c .

Expect the build to take some time because Oracle's installer unpacks and relinks the runtime.

Image Layout

• Default user inside the container: oracle
• ORACLE_HOME=/opt/oracle
• LD_LIBRARY_PATH is set to include /opt/oracle/lib.
• FORMS_API_TK_BYPASS=TRUE is set to allow using the Open API without requiring a GUI environment.

Caveats

• No WebLogic, Reports, or node manager components are present.
• No attempt is made to secure the runtime or harden the OS image.
• Oracle does not support this image, and neither do I. Use it at your own risk.
• If you need a full Oracle Forms deployment, use the official installers on supported hosts instead of this container.

Running the Container

The image does not start any daemons, it simply supplies the runtime libraries so you can execute a Forms Open API program inside the container:

docker run --rm -it \
  -v "$(pwd)/your_forms_api_app:/workspace" \
  oracle-forms-openapi:14c \
  bash

From inside the shell you can execute your CLI program against the libraries under /opt/oracle. Adjust the volume mount to point at your source/build artifacts. Additional environment variables can be provided at runtime if your tooling needs them.

Using as a Base Image

You can create your own image that includes a Forms Open API tool:

FROM oracle-forms-openapi:14c

WORKDIR /workspace
COPY --chown=oracle:oracle your_forms_api_app /workspace

USER oracle
ENTRYPOINT ["/workspace/your-cli"]

Licensing and Redistribution

This repository only contains build scripts and configuration files. It does not distribute any Oracle software.

You must download the Oracle installer yourself under Oracle's license. Oracle retains all rights to the Forms and Reports binaries.

Do not publish images built from this Dockerfile to public registries (Docker Hub, GHCR, etc.). Each user must build their own image after accepting Oracle's license terms.