Loading Configuration Data in the DynamicLoader Application Class

Administrators define configuration data for homepage and dashboard sections using structured name and value pairs instead of using the CSS style class-based configuration.

The system stores configuration data as section attributes with an PSDAT_ prefix. The LandingPageSection application class collects these attributes and exposes them as a data collection. The DynamicLoader application class reads this collection to retrieve configuration settings at runtime.

Note:

The PSDAT_ prefix is reserved and should not be used to specify configuration data manually in the section attributes.

The DynamicLoader application class supports two configuration mechanisms:

  • Configuration data (delivered in PeopleTools 8.63).
  • CSS style class-based configuration data (delivered in PeopleTools 8.62). For examples of style class-based configuration data, see Using Delivered PeopleTools Section Templates.

When configuration data exists, the system uses it exclusively and ignores the CSS style-based configuration. However, if configuration data does not exist, the system falls back to the style-based configuration.

You can specify configuration data on the following pages:

  • Homepage CREF - on the Section Assignments page.
  • Manage Dashboard page.
  • Section template CREF.

On each of these pages, the Loader Class Configuration Data grid can be used to define configuration data for sections using structured configuration-data name and value pairs. Enter both Name and Value pair; Value field cannot be blank.

Follow these guidelines when you specify a name for the configuration data:

  • Limit the name to 24 characters. Internally, the system adds PSDAT_ as a prefix to the name.
  • Use only alphanumeric characters; do not use spaces or special characters.
  • The characters are converted to uppercase.
  • If duplicate names exist, only the first occurrence is stored. The other duplicate names are ignored without displaying an error.
  • Name field does not support translation.

The entries are validated when the page is saved; not during data entry.

When you import or re-import a section template containing configuration data, specific rules govern the import and re-import actions. For information on these guidelines, see Importing a Section in Homepages and Dashboards.