Search Results ff_user_entities

Overview

The FF_USER_ENTITIES table is a core data dictionary object within the Oracle E-Business Suite FastFormula (FF) module. It serves as the master definition table for user entities, which are logical constructs that combine a specific database table with selection criteria. The primary role of a user entity is to act as the foundational data source for creating FastFormula database items. These database items are the named variables used within FastFormula calculations to retrieve and manipulate application data, enabling the configuration of complex payroll, compensation, and HR business rules without direct programming.

Key Information Stored

The table's central column is USER_ENTITY_ID, which is the primary key (FF_USER_ENTITIES_PK) and uniquely identifies each user entity definition. While the provided metadata does not list all columns, the table's description and relationships indicate it stores critical metadata. This includes the name of the user entity, the associated base database TABLE_NAME, and the SQL WHERE clause logic that forms the SELECTION_CRITERIA to filter rows from that table. The table also holds a foreign key, ROUTE_ID, linking to the FF_ROUTES table, which defines the processing context or "route" for the formula (e.g., a specific payroll run type).

Common Use Cases and Queries

The primary use case is the administration and auditing of FastFormula data sources. Functional and technical consultants query this table to understand the available data elements for formula writing or to troubleshoot data retrieval issues. A common diagnostic query involves joining with FF_DATABASE_ITEMS to list all formulas dependent on a specific table. For example:

• Identifying all database items based on the PAY_ELEMENT_ENTRIES_F table: SELECT dbi.user_name, ue.table_name, ue.selection_criteria FROM ff_user_entities ue, ff_database_items dbi WHERE ue.user_entity_id = dbi.user_entity_id AND ue.table_name = 'PAY_ELEMENT_ENTRIES_F';
• Reviewing user entity definitions for a specific formula route to validate data scope.

Related Objects

FF_USER_ENTITIES has defined foreign key relationships with several other FastFormula tables, as documented in the metadata:

• FF_ROUTES: Joined via FF_USER_ENTITIES.ROUTE_ID. This defines the processing context for the user entity.
• FF_DATABASE_ITEMS and FF_DATABASE_ITEMS_TL: Joined via USER_ENTITY_ID. These tables store the actual database item definitions and their translatable names that are sourced from this user entity.
• FF_ARCHIVE_ITEMS: Joined via USER_ENTITY_ID. This links to items defined for legislative data archiving.
• FF_ROUTE_PARAMETER_VALUES: Joined via USER_ENTITY_ID. This connects user entities to specific parameter values used within their associated route.