Element Naming Conventions in the U.S.
Understanding the naming convention used for PeopleSoft-delivered elements can help you determine how an element is used, its element type, and even the functional area it serves.
This topic discusses:
Naming conventions.
Functional area codes.
Element classification.
Element type codes (PIN_TYPE).
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.
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.
Many elements include a three-letter functional area code in their names. This code identifies the functional area supported by an element.
This table lists the functional area codes that are used in the names of U.S. elements:
Functional Area |
Description |
---|---|
ERN |
Earnings |
DED |
General deductions |
BEN |
Health and welfare deductions |
BND |
Bonds |
LNS |
Loans and advances |
GRN |
Garnishments |
ABS |
Absences |
TAX |
Taxes |
GEN |
General functional area code |
TSP |
Thrift savings plans |
Categories are a way to further name and classify elements after you define them at the country level. You can use categories to classify elements based on your organization's needs.
Note: You can view all of the categories defined for PeopleSoft Global Payroll for United States on the Categories page (GP_PIN_CATEGORY).
The categories delivered with PeopleSoft Global Payroll for United States are:
Category Code |
Description |
---|---|
ERN |
Earnings |
DED |
General deductions |
BEN |
Health and welfare deductions |
BND |
Bonds |
LNS |
Loans and advances |
GRN |
Garnishments |
ABS |
Absences |
TAX |
Taxes |
GEN |
General functional area code |
TSP |
Thrift savings plans |
PSLP |
Payslip |
This table contains codes for all of the element types. Because not all element types are delivered for United States, not all of these codes appear in the names of U.S. elements:
Element Type |
Description |
---|---|
AE |
Absence entitlement |
AT |
Absence take |
AC |
Accumulator |
AR |
Array |
AA |
Auto assigned |
BR |
Bracket |
CT |
Count |
DT |
Date |
DD |
Deduction |
DR |
Duration |
ER |
Earnings |
EG |
Element group |
EM |
Error message |
FC |
Fictitious calculation |
FM |
Formula |
GC |
Generation control |
HR |
Historical rule |
PR |
Process |
PO |
Proration rule |
RC |
Rate code |
RR |
Rounding rule |
SE |
Section |
SY |
System element |
VR |
Variable |
WA |
Writable array |