Understanding Calculation Elements

Supporting elements are the building blocks of your system. Calculation elements, a subset of supporting elements, assist in the calculation process and are used to further refine the more complex elements.

This topic discusses:

  • Calculation element names

  • Element pointers

You must name every element and define its basic parameters on an Element Name page. All element page components share the same first Element Name page (GP_PIN).

An element pointer is an element that points to another element by its system identifying number (PIN).

Once you define an element, its value may change. This presents a dilemma when you try to use elements to calculate other elements. The problem is especially evident when you are creating formulas. Element pointers help you alleviate this problem.

Advantages of Element Pointers

The following are advantages of using element pointers:

  • You can use them in formulas to make formulas generic and reusable.

  • Different earning, deduction, and absence calculations can use the same formula.

  • When you define a formula, the values for the various elements that constitute the formula will likely change. Rather than referring to the element's value, you can refer to its system identifying number—its element number.

  • Because you point to its element number—which remains constant—a formula using the element can remain useful over time because the element values will be valid.

Element Pointer Example

You have written a formula to calculate garnishments. But different payees have different garnishments. If you use element pointers in your formula expression to point to an element using its identifying element number, then you won't have to rewrite the formula every time the number and types of garnishments change for different payees. The formula will adapt its calculations because it is retrieving current values for the elements referenced by the element pointer.

Elements that can Use Element Pointers

Pointers can reference almost all elements that use the Definition page.

Use the following major elements to retrieve, store, and assign element pointers:

  • Variables

  • Brackets

    When using brackets, element pointers can store values that are returned by the lookup. Select a pointer for storing bracket values on the Search Keys/Return Column page.

  • Formulas

  • Arrays

    Use a pointer to tell the system that a column to be retrieved contains a PIN number. Use the Fields Retrieved page to enter instructions for retrieving columns for an array