DATA VALIDATION

PeopleSoft provides several methods for Ensuring data accuracy.

Prompt tablesEffective DatingTranslate Table

Prompt Tables

Prompt tables are application data tables that store a predefined set of valid values that are available to users during the data entry process. Users may by restricted to entering only those values, or new values may be added.

Prompt Tables

During data entry, a prompt table can be used to provide an operator with a list of values for a field. Depending on how the field is defined on the page, the operator may or may not be restricted to entering a value from the list.

The Prompt Table

The term “prompt table” reflects a function of the table. Structurally, a prompt table is no different from any other Application Data table

When performing data validation, the value entered by the operator in the EQUIP_CD field is checked against the key field values on the EQUIP_TBL.

EQUIP_TBL

EQUIP_ID DESCR

K001 Overhead Projector

K002 Hanging Whiteboard

K016 Instructor Guide

If the values exists in INSTUCTOR table, it can be written to COURSE table.

INSTUCTOR

INSTUCTOR_ID NAME SKILL

001 Walia,Rupinder 1

002 Paradis,Phil 3

003 Goudreault,Terry

2

Effective-Dating

Effective dating creates a historical record of all changes made to data stored in a table. Applying the effective-date function to a prompt table ensures that you maintain both historical and future data while providing users with data prompts that are valid at the time of data entry.

Effective-Dated Tables

Tables containing the effective-date field (EFFDT) are called effective-dated tables. Effective dating is used to retain historical data and store data for future use. Typically, prompt tables use effective dating to maintain a history of codes used in the database.

Effective-Dated Scrolls

The page used to maintain an effective-dated table includes a scroll area to enable scrolling through the dated records. The Effective Date field controls the scroll area. In other words, if a user uses the scroll area to scroll to another row of data, the data in the Effective Date field is the only data that always changes.

Effective-Dated Scrolls

The effective date and effective status combination determines if a code is to be included in the list box when a user prompts against an effective-dated table from another table

Tracking History

To retain a complete history of all your data table values, PeopleSoft recommends that you DO NOT delete obsolete data. Instead, leave the old row of data in place and insert a new row of data with a new effective date.

Tracking History

If the new row matches the current row criteria, it will become the current row of data. The obsolete data will become history information.

Tracking History

Even though the application no longer considers the old row to be the current row, you still should not modify the effective status for the row. Effective status has nothing to do with whether or not the application considers a row to be current.

Tracking History

Effective status simply tracks whether or not the row of data represents a valid option as of the row’s effective date. If the row becomes an invalid option on a certain date, insert a new effective-dated row for the date and set the effective status to Inactive

Create an Effective-Dated Table

For a table to be effective-dated:Include the effective-date field (EFFDT).The (EFFDT) must be a descending key field.Include the effective status field (EFF_STATUS) with values A (Active) and I (Inactive) on the table if you wish to retain information on obsolete codes.

Effective-Dated Row Inserts

Inserting a new row into an effective-dated table causes the existing information to be copied into a new row that is identified by the system date. Update the data on the new row, and change the effective date to the date the new data becomes effective.

Each row in an effective-dated table is categorized as Future, Current, or History.

Future effective date of data row > system date

Current effective date of data row is closest to or equal to the system date without being a future date

History effective date of data row < effective date of current row

The system date is defined by the current date on the database (i.e., system server’s date.)

Actions determine the rows of an effective-dated table that can be retrieved or modified.

Action Symbol

Action Type

Rows to Retrieve

Rows to Insert

Rows to Update

Add N/A New high-level key

N/A

Update/Display

Current, Future

New EFFDT>Current Row EFFDT

Future Only

Update/Display All

History, Current, Future

New EFFDT> Current Row EFFDT

Future Only

Correction History, Current, Future

Any EFFDT All rows

Table Identification

Tables are indicated by the placement of scroll bars/areas on a page. A scroll area controls all of the fields that appear within it.

Table Identification

All of the fields controlled by a single scroll area can write to one and only one table. Because grids are controlled by a single scroll area, all of the fields in a grid can write to one and only one table.

Effective-dating, Row Inserts, and Parent/Child Relationships

Performing a Row Insert on an effective-dated parent table copies all associated child rows with the rest of the fields on the parent row of data.

Effective Dating and Valid Values

The valid values displayed from a prompt table are determined by the effective date of both the row that is being written to, and the row that is being prompted against.

Table Writing To

Prompt Table Behavior

No EFFDT No EFFDT All rows retrievable.Displays the first 300 rows.

No EFFDT EFFDT Rows categorized against the system date. Current, active rows are retrievable.

EFFDT EFFDT Rows categorized by EFFDT.Current, active rows are retrievable.

EFFDT No EFFDT All rows retrievable.Displays the first 300 rows.

Translate Table

The Translate Table also stores a predefined set of valid values that are available to users during the data entry process. This includes yes/no values. To promote faster data access, the Translate Table is a PeopleTools table that, when used, is stored on the Application Server. Each database has only one Translate Table.

Translate Table

The Translate Table (XLATTABLE) is a PeopleTools Table that serves as an all-purpose data dictionary to store values for fields that don’t require an individual prompt table. Each database contains one Translate Table.

Translate Table

Values can be entered on the Translate Table if the field they are associated with is:Character type1 to 4 characters in lengthIt is also recommended that there be only a small set of static values per field.

Delivered Date

The majority of translate values delivered by PeopleSoft have an effective date of January 1, 1900. It is assumed that this date is early enough to predate the effective dates of all rows of data in your database.

More on TranslatesWhen an edit box with a prompt button represents a Translate Table Edit, the Valid Values dialog displays values from the Translate Table that may be selected for a field. The Valid Values dialog does not contain a search key or alternate search key; it contains the values and descriptions from the Translate Table.

Yes/No Edits

Yes/No edits are typically represented with a check box.

Key Points

Prompt tables are used to validate codes on other tables.Using the Insert Row function on a page writing to an effective-dated table causes the contents of the current row to be copied to the new row.

Key Points

A scroll area controls only one table.A scroll area within a scroll area on a page may indicate a parent/child relationship. The table controlled by the inner scroll area is the child.

More Key Points

A child table must have the same key structure as its parent table plus at least one additional key field.Using the Row insert function on an effective-dated parent table causes all associated child rows to be copied with the parent row and the effective date.Code edits occur against all keys to the table referenced. If a prompt table is effective-dated, the effective date is used in the validation process.

More Key Points

Fields can be validated against prompt tables or the Translate Table.The Translate Table is an effective-dated PeopleTools table.