Using Datasets

This chapter provides an overview of datasets and discusses how to:

• Define dataset rules.

• Define dataset roles.

• Define mobile data distribution.

Understanding Datasets

Datasets enable role-based filtering and distribution of data. You can limit the range and quantity of data displayed for a user by associating dataset rules with a user's dataset roles. The result of dataset rules is a set of data appropriate to the user’s dataset roles.

You can also limit the range and quantity of data passed to a mobile device by defining data distribution rules based on datasets. Data distribution rules define the selection of data downloaded to a mobile device. The dataset may differ depending on the mobile device.

Note. If you are using PeopleCode to control data distribution, consider using datasets instead.

Defining Dataset Rules

This section provides an overview of dataset rules and discusses how to create dataset rules.

Understanding Dataset Rules

Dataset rules define datasets for use in conjunction with each dataset role’s security rules. Defining dataset rules creates Structured Query Language (SQL) statements that select the dataset displayed for each rule.

To use dataset rules and roles:

1. Define dataset rules, which are based on a synchronized record.

   You define a dataset rule to return a subset of rows from the selected synchronized record based on the dataset role to which you will link the rule.

   These dataset rules are based on views that can join to any record in your PeopleSoft system.

   For each rule condition, the user specifies a field that comes from the search record name defined in the dataset rule. When the specified field has neither a prompt or translate table edit, the following system variables, which are delivered as system data to all applications, can be used to filter the condition:

   • %Blank

   • %Date

   • %EmployeeID

   • %PersonID

   • %Time

   • %UserID

2. Assign the dataset rules to dataset roles according to role security and data requirements.

   Each dataset role can have multiple dataset rules. You can use existing dataset roles, or create new dataset roles by selecting from existing PeopleTools security-based user roles.

   See Enterprise PeopleTools 8.46 PeopleBook: Security Administration, “Setting Up Roles”

3. Ensure that the original user roles on which dataset roles were based are associated with appropriate user IDs.

   Each user ID can have multiple user roles.

   See Enterprise PeopleTools 8.46 PeopleBook: Security Administration, “Administering User Profiles,” Setting Roles

Page Used to Define Dataset Rules

Creating Dataset Rules

Access the Dataset Rules page.

The number of rule conditions in a dataset rule is limited only by your performance requirements. You can set a series of rule conditions that can navigate through as many records as necessary.

Dataset Rules

Rule Conditions

Defining Dataset Roles

Set up user roles by associating dataset rules with user roles.

Page Used to Define Dataset Roles

Defining Dataset Roles

Access the Dataset Roles page.

Select an existing dataset role for editing, or create a new dataset role by selecting from existing PeopleTools security-based user roles.

See Enterprise PeopleTools 8.46 PeopleBook: Security Administration, “Setting Up Roles”

Defining Mobile Data Distribution

Use datasets to define the data distributed to mobile devices running PeopleTools Mobile Agent. This section provides an overview of mobile data distribution and discusses how to:

• Define mobile data distribution rules.

• Use mobile user rules.

Understanding Mobile Data Distribution

Mobile devices can have limited processing power, storage capacity, and display space. You can limit the range and quantity of data passed to the mobile device by associating dataset rules with synchronizable component interfaces. Mobile data distribution rules define the selection of data from network servers for download to a mobile device. The result of data distribution rules is a set of data appropriate to the user’s roles. The set of data may differ depending on the mobile device.

Data distribution for mobile applications implements security and filters the data downloaded to the mobile device. You define data distribution for mobile devices based on datasets by selecting dataset rules assigned to the mobile device user’s dataset roles.

Implementing Mobile Data Distribution

To filter data defined by dataset rules to mobile devices, developers must include the function DistributeDataByRules() in the synchronizable component interface's OnSelect PeopleCode method.

For example:

Declare Function DistributeDataByRules PeopleCode 
FUNCLIB_ECMOBIL.EOEC_ONSELECT FieldFormula;
DistributeDataByRules();

See Also

Enterprise PeopleTools 8.46 PeopleBook: PeopleSoft Mobile Agent

Enterprise PeopleTools 8.46 PeopleBook: PeopleCode Language Reference

Pages Used to Define Mobile Data Distribution

Defining Mobile Data Distribution Rules

Access the Mobile Data Distribution page.

Note. Component interfaces selected for mobile data distribution must be synchronizable; only synchronizable component interfaces are available from the prompt.

The Dataset Rules grid lists rules for the specified dataset.

Using Mobile User Rules

Access the Mobile User Rules page.

A mobile user can specify whether a selected data distribution rule returns data to a selected mobile device. The user must be signed in with a user ID, not as an administrator, to define mobile user rules.