Search Results fnd_default_context_fields




Overview
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Overview

The FND_DEFAULT_CONTEXT_FIELDS table is a core Application Object Library table within the Oracle E-Business Suite architecture. It serves a specific and critical function in the configuration of descriptive flexfields (DFFs). As per the official documentation, this table stores the names of fields on Oracle Forms that application users can designate as reference fields for descriptive flexfields. In essence, it defines the pool of standard form fields that can be used to dynamically control the context segment of a DFF, enabling context-sensitive behavior where the available flexfield segments change based on the value in the referenced form field. This table is owned by the APPLSYS schema and is fundamental to the declarative flexfield setup process.

Key Information Stored

The table's structure is defined by a composite primary key, ensuring a unique combination for each record. The key columns are APPLICATION_ID, DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME, and DEFAULT_CONTEXT_FIELD_NAME. The APPLICATION_ID links to the specific EBS product module, while the DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME identifies the particular descriptive flexfield being configured. The DEFAULT_CONTEXT_FIELD_NAME column holds the technical name of the form field (from the underlying Oracle Form) that is available for use as a reference field. This table does not store the actual data values entered by users; instead, it stores the metadata that defines which fields are valid candidates for driving DFF context.

Common Use Cases and Queries

The primary use case is during the implementation and extension of descriptive flexfields via the "Descriptive Flexfield Segments" form (AD_DEFERRED_JOBS). Administrators query this table to see which standard form fields are available to be selected as a reference field for a given DFF. A common diagnostic or reporting query involves joining to FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS to get a full list of configurable fields for a flexfield. For example:

  • SELECT dfx.title, dcf.default_context_field_name FROM fnd_descriptive_flexs dfx, fnd_default_context_fields dcf WHERE dfx.application_id = dcf.application_id AND dfx.descriptive_flexfield_name = dcf.descriptive_flexfield_name AND dfx.descriptive_flexfield_name = '&flex_name';

This information is crucial for designing context-sensitive flexfields that change based on other values in the form, such as changing asset categories based on a selected organization.

Related Objects

As documented in the provided metadata, FND_DEFAULT_CONTEXT_FIELDS has a direct foreign key relationship with the FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS table, which is the master table defining all descriptive flexfields in the system. The foreign key is defined on the columns APPLICATION_ID and DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXFIELD_NAME. This relationship enforces referential integrity, ensuring that every entry in FND_DEFAULT_CONTEXT_FIELDS corresponds to a valid, registered descriptive flexfield. The table is also intrinsically linked to the underlying Oracle Forms and their internal field definitions, though those are not represented as foreign keys in the database schema.