Arrays
An array is a link between a field and an element. An array retrieves data that’s stored in the database tables that Absence Management does not provide in system elements. You can use arrays to retrieve complex data that’s stored in any table outside Absence Management. For example, you can create an array to retrieve birthday data for a payee’s dependents from the DEPENDENT_BENEF table in PeopleSoft HR.
Arrays are temporary tables that the COBOL programs use to store data during processing. Once processing is complete, the programs write the data from the temporary arrays to the output tables.
Using an array is a two-step process:
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Retrieve data from the database.
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Use that data for further processing.
When defining an array, you must provide enough information to the system so that it can perform both steps.