Understanding the Translate Table
The Translate table is a prompt table, similar to an all-purpose data dictionary, that stores values for fields that do not need individual prompt tables. As a general rule, store field values in the Translate table if the field meets the following criteria:
-
Field type is Character.
-
Field length is 1 to 4 characters.
-
Field values consist of a relatively small, static set of values that are not maintained by the user.
-
No other fields relate to this field.
Note:
If the only values for a field are Y (yes) and N (no), you do not need to enter them in the Translate table. The Translate table comes with a field for Y and N named PSYESNO. When you select Yes/No Table Edit, the system automatically points to the PSYESNO field in the Translate table.
Example of When to Use the Translate Table
Consider the relative attributes of a department ID field and a gender field in a company database. In the following table, Department ID is not a good case for using the Translate table because it requires its own prompt table. However, the Gender field is a good case for using the Translate table:
| Characteristic | Department ID | Gender |
|---|---|---|
|
Field type |
Character. |
Character. |
|
Field length |
Longer than 3 characters. |
1 character. |
|
Field values |
Could be many values, 20 or more. |
Two possible values. |
|
Other related fields |
Related to other fields, like department manager. |
Not related to other fields. |
|
Requires maintenance |
Yes, users might have to add departments. |
No, gender is a static value. |
Translate Table Attributes
The system maintains the structure of the Translate table and you supply the data. This table contains the following fields:
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
|
FIELDNAME |
Field name, such as ABSENCE_TYPE. |
|
LANGUAGE_CD |
Language code. |
|
FIELDVALUE |
Value for the field. |
|
EFFDT |
Effective date. |
|
VERSION |
Internal version number (system-maintained). |
|
EFF_STATUS |
Status: active or inactive. |
|
XLATLONGNAME |
Thirty-character description; used as a label on pages and reports. |
|
XLATSHORTNAME |
Ten-character description; used as a label on pages and reports. |
|
LASTUPDDTTM |
Datetime field showing the last time that a field was updated. |
|
LASTUPDOPRID |
User ID of the user who most recently updated the field. |
If you must define more information about a field than the preceding attributes, create a separate prompt table for the field instead of adding it to the Translate table.
When the user presses the prompt button to prompt for valid values in a field on a page, the system displays a list of the translate values for a field.
Each value in the Translate table has an effective date, and the date must be earlier than the effective dates of any rows that reference the value. The translate values delivered by PeopleSoft all have an effective date of January 1, 1900. Choosing a different value for translate values that you add enables you to quickly differentiate delivered values from your values.
Note:
Null values are not supported as effective dates.