The Big Picture Of Algorithms

Many functions in the system are performed using a user-defined algorithm. For example, when a CSR requests a customer's recommended deposit amount, the system calls the deposit recommendation algorithm. This algorithm calculates the recommended deposit amount and returns it to the caller.

Note: Algorithm = Plug-in. We use the terms plug-in and algorithm interchangeably throughout this documentation.

So how does the system know which algorithm to call? When you set up the system's control tables, you define which algorithm to use for each component-driven function. You do this on the control table that governs each respective function. For example:

You define the algorithm used to validate a phone number on your phone types.
You define the algorithm in Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing used to calculate late payment charges on each Service Agreement Type that has late payment charges.
The list goes on...

The topics in this section provide background information about a variety of algorithm issues.