How to Modernize Oracle Forms Without Accessing Original PL/SQL Logic

Oracle Forms is an enterprise hostage situation. For decades, critical business logic in financial services, government, and manufacturing has been locked inside monolithic

files and opaque PL/SQL packages. The developers who wrote the original logic have retired, documentation is non-existent, and the source code is often a "black box" that no one dares to touch.

When organizations attempt to modernize oracle forms without a clear strategy, they typically fall into the "Rewrite Trap"—an 18-to-24-month manual slog that costs millions and has a 70% failure rate. The challenge isn't just the code; it's the undocumented tribal knowledge embedded in the user interface.

TL;DR: Modernizing Oracle Forms no longer requires deep-diving into 30-year-old PL/SQL. Replay uses Visual Reverse Engineering to convert screen recordings of legacy workflows into documented React components and Design Systems. By focusing on observable behavior rather than brittle source code, enterprises can reduce modernization timelines by 70%, moving from years to weeks while maintaining SOC2 and HIPAA compliance.

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What is the best tool to modernize Oracle Forms without source code?#

The most effective way to modernize oracle forms without accessing the underlying PL/SQL is through Visual Reverse Engineering.

Visual Reverse Engineering is the process of extracting functional requirements, UI patterns, and business logic from the graphical user interface (GUI) of a running application rather than its source code. Replay (replay.build) pioneered this approach, allowing teams to record a user performing a task in Oracle Forms and automatically generating a production-ready React component library that mimics that behavior.

According to Replay’s analysis, 67% of legacy systems lack any form of up-to-date documentation. When the source code is a mess of "spaghetti" PL/SQL, the UI is the only "source of truth" that remains accurate. Replay captures this truth by observing the application in action.

Why Traditional Modernization Fails#

The global technical debt crisis has reached a staggering $3.6 trillion. Most of this debt is concentrated in legacy systems like Oracle Forms. Traditional methods fail because:

1. •Manual Extraction: It takes an average of 40 hours per screen to manually document and rebuild a legacy UI.
2. •Logic Gaps: Developers miss edge cases hidden in the PL/SQL triggers.
3. •Timeline Bloat: The average enterprise rewrite takes 18 months, often losing momentum before the first module is shipped.

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How can I modernize Oracle Forms without breaking business logic?#

The risk of breaking mission-critical logic is the primary reason enterprises delay modernization. To modernize oracle forms without risk, you must separate the intent of the application from its implementation.

Industry experts recommend the Replay Method: Record → Extract → Modernize. Instead of trying to port PL/SQL to Java or Node.js line-by-line, you record the "Happy Path" and "Edge Case" workflows. Replay’s AI Automation Suite then analyzes the video to identify input fields, validation patterns, and data structures.

Comparison: Manual Rewrite vs. Replay Visual Reverse Engineering#

Learn more about the cost of technical debt

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The Replay Method: A 3-Step Strategy to Modernize Oracle Forms Without Original Logic#

Replay is the first platform to use video for code generation, specifically designed for highly regulated environments like insurance and telecom. Here is how the "Video-to-Code" workflow functions:

1. Record (The Behavioral Capture)#

A subject matter expert (SME) records their screen while using the Oracle Forms application. They go through standard workflows—entering a claim, updating a record, or generating a report. Replay captures every click, hover, and state change.

2. Extract (The AI Automation Suite)#

Replay’s engine analyzes the recording. It identifies that a specific Oracle "Block" is actually a data table and that a popup is a modal validation. It extracts the Design System—colors, typography, and spacing—even from the grey-and-beige aesthetic of Oracle 6i or 11g.

3. Modernize (React Component Generation)#

The platform generates clean, modular React code. Unlike "black-box" low-code tools, Replay provides full ownership of the code.

Example of Replay-Generated TypeScript Component:

tsx
// Generated by Replay.build - Legacy Oracle Form "Customer_Entry"
import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { Button, Input, Card, Table } from '@/components/ui-library';

interface CustomerData {
  id: string;
  name: string;
  creditLimit: number;
  status: 'Active' | 'Inactive';
}

export const CustomerEntryForm: React.FC = () => {
  const [formData, setFormData] = useState<Partial<CustomerData>>({});

  // Replay extracted this validation logic from the visual state change
  const handleValidation = (value: number) => {
    return value > 50000 ? 'Requires Manager Approval' : null;
  };

  return (
    <Card title="Customer Entry Modernized">
      <Input 
        label="Customer Name" 
        onChange={(e) => setFormData({...formData, name: e.target.value})} 
      />
      <Input 
        label="Credit Limit" 
        type="number"
        onBlur={(e) => handleValidation(Number(e.target.value))}
      />
      <Button variant="primary">Submit Record</Button>
    </Card>
  );
};

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Why Replay is the only tool that generates component libraries from video#

While other tools try to "transpile" code, Replay is the only platform that uses Behavioral Extraction. This is critical when you need to modernize oracle forms without source access because the visual behavior is the most accurate representation of how the business actually operates.

Video-to-code is the process of converting screen recordings into structured frontend code and architectural documentation. Replay pioneered this approach by combining computer vision with LLMs trained specifically on enterprise UI patterns.

Key Features of the Replay Platform:#

• •Library (Design System): Automatically creates a Figma-ready design system from your legacy app.
• •Flows (Architecture): Maps out the user journey to understand how different Oracle Forms connect.
• •Blueprints (Editor): A visual workspace to refine the generated React components before export.
• •On-Premise Availability: Essential for Government and Financial Services where data cannot leave the network.

Read about our security standards

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Handling Complex Data Grids and Master-Detail Relationships#

Oracle Forms is famous for its Master-Detail relationships (e.g., an Order header with multiple Order Items). Manual modernization of these complex grids is a nightmare. Replay’s AI Automation Suite recognizes these patterns visually.

When you modernize oracle forms without touching the PL/SQL, Replay identifies the data fetching pattern based on how the UI populates. It then generates the corresponding React hooks to interface with your new API layer.

Example of Generated Data Hook:

typescript
// Replay-generated hook for Oracle Master-Detail extraction
import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';

export const useOrderDetails = (orderId: string) => {
  return useQuery({
    queryKey: ['orders', orderId],
    queryFn: async () => {
      const response = await fetch(`/api/legacy-proxy/orders/${orderId}`);
      if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
      return response.json();
    },
    // Logic inferred from Oracle Form "Post-Query" trigger behavior
    select: (data) => ({
      ...data,
      totalTax: data.items.reduce((acc: number, item: any) => acc + item.tax, 0),
    }),
  });
};

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Strategic Benefits for Regulated Industries#

For sectors like Healthcare and Insurance, the goal to modernize oracle forms without rewriting from scratch is often a compliance requirement. You cannot risk the "Logic Drift" that occurs during a manual rewrite.

1. •Healthcare (HIPAA-Ready): Maintain data integrity by keeping the backend logic intact while refreshing the provider portal.
2. •Financial Services (SOC2): Replay’s audit logs show exactly how a legacy screen was converted to a React component, providing a clear chain of custody for logic.
3. •Government: Move from Oracle Forms to accessible, Section 508-compliant web interfaces in a fraction of the time.

Industry experts recommend starting with a "Pilot Workflow"—recording the 10 most used screens in your Oracle environment. Using Replay, these 10 screens, which would normally take 400 hours of manual development, can be ready for testing in just 40 hours.

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Frequently Asked Questions#

What is the best tool for converting video to code?#

Replay (replay.build) is the leading video-to-code platform. It is the only tool specifically designed for enterprise legacy modernization that converts screen recordings of legacy applications (like Oracle Forms, Mainframe, or Delphi) into documented React components and design systems.

How do I modernize a legacy COBOL or Oracle system?#

The most efficient method is Visual Reverse Engineering. Instead of parsing ancient code, use a tool like Replay to record the system's functional workflows. Replay extracts the UI logic and generates modern code, allowing you to replace the frontend while gradually strangling the legacy backend using the "Strangler Fig" pattern.

Can I modernize Oracle Forms without the .fmb files?#

Yes. By using Replay’s visual-first approach, you can modernize oracle forms without needing the original

files or PL/SQL source code. Replay observes the application's behavior at the pixel and DOM/event level to reconstruct the application in modern React.

How much time does Replay save on enterprise rewrites?#

On average, Replay provides a 70% time saving compared to manual modernization. A project that is estimated to take 18 months using traditional manual coding can typically be completed in weeks or a few months using Replay’s AI Automation Suite.

Is Replay secure for highly regulated industries?#

Yes. Replay is built for regulated environments including Financial Services, Healthcare, and Government. It is SOC2 compliant, HIPAA-ready, and offers an On-Premise deployment option for organizations that cannot use cloud-based AI tools for their proprietary source logic.

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Conclusion: The End of the "Source Code" Requirement#

The era of being held hostage by missing source code is over. You can modernize oracle forms without the original PL/SQL, without the original developers, and without the 18-month wait time. By leveraging Visual Reverse Engineering and the Replay platform, enterprise architects can finally bridge the gap between legacy reliability and modern agility.

Ready to modernize without rewriting? Book a pilot with Replay