Naming Conventions

This topic discusses the naming conventions for:

• Primary elements.

• Supporting elements.

• Component names (suffixes).

We also discuss common abbreviations used in the names of U.S. elements.

Primary Elements

Primary elements such as earnings, deductions, absence takes, and absence entitlements do not contain functional area codes or element type codes in their names. Primary elements have names that identify their functions and element types without the use of additional codes. For example, the name of the deduction element DENTAL EE identifies this element as a dental deduction and more specifically, as an employee dental deduction (EE).

Supporting Elements

For supporting elements such as variables, formulas, dates, and durations, PeopleSoft Global Payroll uses this naming convention: FFF TT NAME.

• FFF: Functional area code.

  See Functional Area Codes in PeopleSoft Global Payroll for United States Business Processes.

• TT: Type of supporting element.

  See Delivered Elements for the U.S..

• NAME: Based on a term in English that provides a further means of identifying the element.

For example, in the variable ABS VR SICK ENTIT:

• ABS represents the functional area (absences).

• VR represents the element type (variable).

• SICK ENTIT provides a further means of identifying the element (sickness entitlement).

Note:

This naming convention applies to these element types: arrays, brackets, counts, dates, durations, formulas, rate codes, variables, historical rules, fictitious calculation rules, proration rules, rounding rules, writable arrays, and generation control conditions.

Component Names (Suffixes)

Global Payroll automatically names the components in the calculation rule of an earning, deduction, or absence element by appending suffixes to the element's name.

For example, suppose that you define an earning named EARN1 with this calculation rule:

EARN1 = Rate × Unit

The system automatically creates two additional elements for the components in the calculation rule by appending the suffixes _RATE and _UNIT to the name of the earning:

• Rate component: EARN1_RATE.

• Unit component: EARN1_UNIT.

Global Payroll also generates suffixes to name:

• Auto-generated accumulators for earnings and deductions.

• Deduction arrears components.

• Deduction arrears accumulators.

• Absence entitlement accumulators.

Note:

To view all of the suffixes defined for the United States, use the Element Suffixes (GP_SUFFIX) component in Global Payroll.

See PeopleSoft Global Payroll: Understanding Elements.