APEX 3.1.2 unzip location

Question

Hi there,
I'm going to be doing a first-time install of APEX 3.1.2 in an Oracle 11g Database very soon.
We must download and install APEX separately, and not use the one supplied by the Oracle 11g database, as a 3rd-party application requires this.
So I've downloaded the APEX 3.1.2.zip from Oracle, and now I'm trying to figure out where it should be unzipped.
There's nothing in the Oracle Application Express Installation Guide Release 3.1.2 that explicitly states APEX must be installed under $ORACLE_HOME, except in the "Copying the Images Directory in a New Installation" section, which is near the end of the install. This section implies that APEX must be unzipped directly under $ORACLE_HOME. But nowhere earlier in the documentation does it tell you WHERE the APEX zip file should be unzipped.
So, where should APEX be unzipped? i.e. under $ORACLE_HOME or not? Does it matter? Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks.
Rob
Edited by: x94qvi on Sep 18, 2009 5:34 PM

Answer 1

Rob:
Always have in mind that for later upgrades to apex the reference for APEX_HOME will be necessary. If I remember correctly, there is an Oracle Standard called OFA (Optimal Flexible Architecture) that suggests something like this " /u01/app/oracle/product/10.1.0/type[_n] " in my case, its " /u01/app/oracle/product/3.1.2/apex_1 ".
This is applicable for all of your Oracle products installed in your O/S. If you would like additional information about OFA, you can find it here: http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/install.112/e10840/appendix_ofa.htm#i633068, the Table D-7 Directory Structure Syntax for Identifying Classes of Files and Table D-8 Hierarchical File Mapping for an Optimal Flexible Architecture Installation are more specific about the suggested paths.
Since it's... as stated before, an arbitrary call, you could either follow the standard or just place it under /home/oracle/apex :)
Hope you find this helpful.
Nelson
Edited by: Nelson Bolaños on Sep 18, 2009 7:47 PM