Introduction to Oracle Rest Data Services (ORDS) – A Beginner’s Guide

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Hey folks!

Today, I want to introduce you to a tool that’s been part of my daily grind: Oracle REST Data Services, or ORDS.

So, What’s ORDS?

Basically, ORDS is a tool that lets you expose your Oracle database data as RESTful APIs. Instead of wrestling with complex backend code, ORDS makes it super easy to build and deploy APIs. With ORDS, your data becomes accessible from anywhere with just a few HTTP calls. Think of it as giving your database a direct, web-friendly voice.

Users and ORDS interaction workflow


Why ORDS? 🌟

Imagine this: You’ve got an Oracle database packed with valuable data, and you want to make it accessible to an app, a web service, or another system. Usually, you’d need a whole backend to handle data retrieval, authentication, response formatting… you name it. But with ORDS? You just set it up, map it to your database tables or procedures, and voilà—you’ve got an API.

Here’s why ORDS is a game-changer:

  • It’s Fast ⚡: You don’t have to build a backend from scratch.
  • It’s Secure 🔒: ORDS works with OAuth, so you control exactly who can access your data.
  • Flexible: If you need custom logic, ORDS lets you create custom endpoints that execute PL/SQL or SQL code.
  • Scalable: ORDS is lightweight, so it can handle high traffic without bogging down.

Extra Perks: Web Services Made Easy

One of ORDS’s coolest features? AutoREST!
Want to expose a table, view, or procedure as an API? With AutoREST, you can automatically generate RESTful endpoints for your database objects without writing additional code. In just a few clicks, you’ve got a REST API up and running. Perfect for prototyping or quickly getting data out of your database.

ORDS is also a lifesaver when multiple clients or devices need access. Instead of each device managing its own database connection, everything routes through REST endpoints—much more efficient!


Not Just for Oracle: MySQL, MongoDB, and Beyond 🌐

While ORDS is known for its Oracle Database capabilities, it’s not limited to just that! It also supports MySQL and even some NoSQL databases like MongoDB.


Why Use ORDS Over JDBC? 🤔

Feature JDBC ORDS
Code Complexity Requires more boilerplate code Simple HTTP requests
Data Retrieval SQL queries embedded in Java code RESTful API calls
Security Manual management of credentials OAuth2, roles, and permissions via REST
Database Changes Code changes may be required JSON payloads are flexible
Resource Management Requires explicit handling Handled by the server
Access Language-dependent Language-agnostic

Getting Started with ORDS

To get started, install ORDS, configure it with your database, and start creating API endpoints. ORDS offers a user-friendly web interface called Database Actions where you can run SQL, manage database objects, and configure your RESTful APIs right from the browser. 

Here are some useful links: 

ORDS installation guide:  Oracle installation guide

Jeff Smith blog: https://www.thatjeffsmith.com/

Dermot blog: https://www.dermotoneill.com

Peter's: https://peterobrien.blog/



Have you used ORDS? Share your experience in the comments below!

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