Code Tables

Most data is stored in coded form to reduce storage requirements and to standardize definitions for easier assembly into reports. A few codes, like Employee Number, involve extensive definition to serve the application. These have subsystems within the application just to service them. Many codes, like Job Class, can function without extended definition or validation. Other codes need either extended definitions, usually to make reports readable, or validation to restrict the values to serve some function in the system. These classifications of codes are applicable to all applications, so a common Code Table support was created. A common Code Table support provides the added service that code tables can be shared between applications. At this time (August 1992), the Payroll does not share any tables with other applications.

Code Table support consists of three functions and a series of code modules for inclusion in interactive programs, and a coding method to access specific table entries. These are described in the following paragraphs.

Table Update

(TBLUPD)

The Table Update is on the Tables and Parameters menu. It is used to add and change specific codes on selected tables in the Payroll. On the first screen you select the table and the code. If you want to know the valid values for a code enter the table code and ask for a list. The entries that identify a specific code are:

• Application - identifies the primary application for the table. For the Payroll the value is P. Table Id - identifies the purpose of the code. If you do not know the Table Id, blank that entry and ask for a list(F4). Table Id * is reserved for the Table of Tables for the application which tells you the purpose of each code table. The Table of Tables is normally pre-loaded with the Table Ids that are used by programs in the application. Other Table Ids can be added for documentary purposes but will not become active without program changes.
• Code - identifies the specific code. Although this code can be up to 8 characters long only the first characters up to the length of the specific code are useful. If blank is a valid value for the code set up an entry in the table for it. Input programs linked to the table will only accept code values that are in the table and are sufficiently unrestricted.

Once the code is selected the details of the code definition are displayed for possible change. Make changes to the entries as required, then apply the changes(F10). It is also possible to delete a code(F18). Be careful when deleting codes because no checks are done to insure that the code is inactive before deleting it. The entries that make up the code definition include:

• Description - used to explain the code on reports.
• Abbreviation - used to explain the code where space is short, e.g. on the cheque stub.
• Rate - an amount associated with the code. It is interpreted by the user program.
• Cross Reference - is a related code. It is interpreted by the user program.
• Status - defines the state of the code. Blank means that code does not exist to user programs. Values below I indicate a generally active code. Values from I to S indicate some level of restricted use. Values above S indicate that the code is inactive particularly for input. Interpretation of the Status is done by the individual user programs to meet their needs.

As of August 1992, the Table Ids in use are:

• AT - Reasons for Termination
• TB - Taxable Benefit Codes. These cross reference to T4 Box Numbers.
• T4 - T4 Box Numbers

Table Print

(TBLLST)

Prints the selected table, or all tables in the application if the Table Id is blank. It is called from the Select an Entry screen of the Table Update.

Table List

(TBL021)

Displays the entries in a designate table to let you select one. It uses a full screen to present the list.

Table Window

Displays a short list of codes and descriptions that appear in a window on the screen. Program PR1800, Deductions Update, shows how the modules TBLLSTCE and TBLLSTCC, the file definition for UTTABL, and the constants table, MSG, are added to a program. The workstation definition PR1800FM contains the associated screen module TBLLSTA.

Code Editing

Code editing is done in the same program that use the Table Window. As such, we can do the edit by chaining directly to the Table file entry. See program PR1800 for examples.