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.

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 Understanding Elements.

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).

See Understanding Elements.

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