application_page_item_exists(
                    p_page_item in varchar2 )
                    return boolean; 

Sometimes there may be a stored procedure or PL/SQL, such as an application level process, that works for several application pages.  This function gives the ability to check for the existence of a page item.

Example:

   begin
      if htmldb_custom_auth.application_page_item_exists(
            'P100_CUSTOMER_ID' ) then
         -- Do something.
   end;

get_session_id return number;

This returns the users session id.  It can be used within stored procedures.  For example, if audit records are being inserted in the database, this function can be used to get the session id.

Example:

   declare
      n_sid number;
   begin
      n_sid := htmldb_custom_auth.get_session_id;
   end;

get_username return varchar2;

This returns the authenticated username.  If the application page is public, the return value will be NOBODY.

Example:

   declare
      s_username varchar2(255);
   begin
      s_username := htmldb_custom_auth.get_username(
         get_username );
   end;

login(
         p_uname in varchar2,
         p_password in varchar2,
         p_session_id in varchar2,
         p_app_page in varchar2,
         p_entry_point in varchar2,
         p_preserve_case in boolean);

This procedure performs authentication and session registration.  It is commonly referred to as the Login API.

Parameters:

• p_uname:  User's Login name.

• password:  Password in clear text.

• p_session_id:  Session ID of the current session.

• p_app_page:  Application ID and page ID of where to navigate to after login.  Format APP_ID:APP_PAGE_ID (colon delimited).

• p_entry_point:  Used internal by APEX only.

• p_preserve_case:  If TRUE, do not change case of p_uname to uppercase.

Example:

   begin
      -- Only use V( ) when referencing APP_SESSION
      login( 'MCUNNING', 'easybook',
         V('APP_SESSION'), :APP_ID || ':1' );

The above book excerpt is from:

Easy HTML-DB Oracle Application Express

Create Dynamic Web Pages with OAE

ISBN 0-9761573-1-4   

Michael Cunningham & Kent Crotty

http://www.rampant-books.com/book_2005_2_html_db.htm