Defining Writable Array Elements

Writable arrays are elements that you can use to populate user-defined result tables. You use PeopleSoft Application Designer to create the result table, then you use the writable array pages that are described in this topic to define the element that populates the table during batch processing. Writable arrays are in many ways the opposite of standard arrays. Instead of reading values from a row in a table to user-defined variables, a writable array writes the values of user-defined elements into a row in a table.

Writable arrays make it easy for you to design reports that exactly meet your needs—each row in your table can produce a corresponding line of information in your report. You can also combine multiple tables to create a report, for example, use one table for a report header, one for the body of the report, and another for the footer.

Finally, writable arrays can also conserve valuable storage space by consolidating many vertical rows of information into a single horizontal row.

To define a writable array:

1. Use PeopleSoft Application Designer to create the table that the writable array element populates.

   The first seven fields in the table must be the same as the keys in the basic result tables. You can also use some of the optional result table keys, such as INSTANCE or SLICE_BGN_DT, and include keys that are not used in the basic result tables, such as DEPTID.

   The seven fields are:

   • EMPLID

   • CAL_RUN_ID

   • EMPL_RCD

   • GP_PAYGROUP

   • CAL_ID

   • ORIG_CAL_RUN_ID

   • RSLT_SEG_NUM

2. On the Writable Array Name page, define the naming information for the writable array.

3. On the Definition and Fields page, identify the table that the writable array is to populate, and map the elements that are to populate the table to the corresponding fields (columns) within the table.

While custom result tables can conserve storage space, they can also increase the need for space if they duplicate data from the standard result tables. Consider using writable arrays to consolidate or temporarily store the following types of results:

• Miscellaneous personal data required for audit purposes.

  You might want to store these values in a single row instead of in the standard result tables and keep the records as long as you need them for auditing purposes.

• Period summary data.

  If you need to summarize data by period on year-to-date reports, you can save summary data for each period for as far back as needed.

• Temporary data used in reports.

  For reporting purposes, you may want to duplicate data found in the standard result tables but present it in a different form. You can then delete the data once you complete the reporting period.

Because you may want to delete temporary data at different times, the management of the data in your result tables is up to you.

Typically, each call to a writable array element creates one row of data. To produce multiple rows of output, you can use loops within a subprocess section and arrays to call the writable array multiple times. Using pointers and variables, you can populate the same field in a writable array with values from different elements, as long as you do not map character and numeric elements to the same field.

Use the Writable Array Name page (GP_PIN) to name the element and define its basic parameters.

Navigation:

Set Up HCM > Product Related > Global Payroll & Absence Mgmt > Elements > Supporting Elements > Writable Arrays > Writable Array Name

When a writable array resolves successfully, the element itself is set to one. Most likely, you will not want to store this value, so the Store and Store if Zero options on the Element Name page are not selected, by default. You can select them if you choose.

In addition, writable arrays are not effective-dated, so there is no definition as of date on the Writable Array Name page. If you need to change the element's definition, create a new writable array instead, and then create new effective-dated elements that reference the new writable array. If you rename a database table or view, create a new writable array.

Use the Definition and Fields page (GP_WRITABLE_ARRAY) to identifies the table into which the writable array process inserts data.

Also identifies the element that populates each column (field name) in the table.

Navigation:

Set Up HCM > Product Related > Global Payroll & Absence Mgmt > Elements > Supporting Elements > Writable Arrays > Definition and Fields

This example illustrates the fields and controls on the Definition and Fields page.