Search Results ff_archive_items

Overview

The FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS table is a core data object within the Oracle E-Business Suite FastFormula (FF) module, specifically for versions 12.1.1 and 12.2.2. As a table owned by the HR schema, its primary function is to serve as an archive for the results generated from evaluating FastFormula database items. FastFormula is a declarative language engine used extensively across HRMS, Payroll, and other modules to define complex business rules for calculations and validations. This table provides a historical audit trail, capturing the output of these calculations for reporting, debugging, and compliance purposes. Its existence is critical for tracing the specific results produced by formula executions over time.

Key Information Stored

While the provided ETRM metadata does not list individual columns beyond the primary and foreign keys, the table's structure can be inferred from its relationships and purpose. The central column is ARCHIVE_ITEM_ID, which serves as the unique primary key for each archived result record. Another crucial column is USER_ENTITY_ID, a foreign key that links the archived result to its source definition in the FF_USER_ENTITIES table. This connection identifies which specific database item or formula was evaluated. The table likely contains columns for the evaluated result value (potentially in a CLOB or VARCHAR2 datatype to accommodate various data types), a timestamp for when the evaluation occurred, and possibly identifiers for the session or run that triggered the archiving.

Common Use Cases and Queries

The primary use case for FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS is auditing and troubleshooting formula results. For instance, during a payroll reconciliation, one might query this archive to verify the calculated values for specific earnings or deductions for an employee in a prior period. A common reporting pattern involves joining to FF_USER_ENTITIES to get the descriptive name of the formula or database item. A typical diagnostic query might be:

SELECT fai.archive_item_id, fue.user_entity_name, fai.result_value, fai.evaluation_date
FROM hr.ff_archive_items fai,
hr.ff_user_entities fue
WHERE fai.user_entity_id = fue.user_entity_id
AND fue.user_entity_name = 'SPECIFIC_FORMULA_NAME';

System administrators may also query this table to manage its growth, as it can accumulate significant historical data.

Related Objects

FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS maintains defined relationships with two other FastFormula tables, forming a key part of the archiving data model.

• FF_USER_ENTITIES: This table is referenced by FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS via the foreign key on USER_ENTITY_ID. It stores the metadata and definition of the formulas and database items whose results are archived.
• FF_ARCHIVE_ITEM_CONTEXTS: This table references FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS via a foreign key on ARCHIVE_ITEM_ID. It is designed to store the specific context values (e.g., assignment ID, effective date) that were in effect when the associated result in FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS was calculated, providing the full execution environment for the archived result.