Control Tables, Transaction Tables and Prompt Tables

PeopleSoft HCM is a table-based system that stores critical general data, such as companies, work locations, and system specifications in a central location. The system enables users to access the same basic information while maintaining data accuracy and integrity.

Tables that are central to PeopleSoft HCM include control tables, transaction tables, and prompt tables.

See PeopleTools: Application Designer Developer's Guide

Control Tables

Control tables store information that is used to process and validate the day-to-day business activities (transactions) users perform with PeopleSoft HCM applications.

The information stored in control tables is common and shared across an organization, for example, master lists of customers, vendors, applications, items, or charts of accounts. By storing this shared information in a central location, control tables help to reduce data redundancy, maintain data integrity, and ensure that users have access to the same basic information.

The information stored in control tables is generally static and is updated only when fundamental changes occur to business policies, organizational structures, or processing rules.

Note: Control tables are tables that include the SETID key field (set ID). As you set up control tables, you'll notice that it is the set ID that enables control table information to be shared across business units.

Transaction Tables

Transaction tables store information about the day-to-day business activities (transactions) users perform with PeopleSoft HCM applications.

The information stored in transaction tables often changes and is updated more frequently than the information stored in control tables.

Note: Transaction tables are tables that include the BUSINESS_UNIT field (which may or may not be used as a key field).

Prompt Tables

Prompt tables are tables that are associated with fields on PeopleSoft application pages and which display valid data values for those fields when a user selects a prompt or search option.

The data values stored in prompt tables are retrieved from control tables, transaction tables, or other PeopleSoft tables.