Search Results per_grade_definitions

Overview

The PER_GRADE_DEFINITIONS table is a core data object within the Oracle E-Business Suite Human Resources (HR) module, specifically for releases 12.1.1 and 12.2.2. It functions as the master table for storing all valid combinations of the Grade Key Flexfield (KFF). A grade is a classification level within an organization's job hierarchy, often linked to compensation and career progression. This table does not store the descriptive flexfield segments themselves but holds the unique combinations of those segment values, each identified by a system-generated GRADE_DEFINITION_ID. Its primary role is to serve as a validated reference point, ensuring data integrity for grade-related assignments and transactions throughout the HRMS system.

Key Information Stored

The table's structure is centered on the unique identifier for each grade combination. The most critical column is GRADE_DEFINITION_ID, which is the primary key (PER_GRADE_DEFINITIONS_PK). This numeric ID is the technical key used by other tables to reference a specific grade definition. While the provided ETRM metadata does not list the flexfield segment columns explicitly, a typical implementation includes columns such as SEGMENT1, SEGMENT2, etc., which hold the actual values that make up the grade code (e.g., 'MGR', 'IV'). The table also contains standard Oracle columns like CREATION_DATE, CREATED_BY, LAST_UPDATE_DATE, and LAST_UPDATED_BY for auditing purposes.

Common Use Cases and Queries

This table is essential for any process involving grade validation, reporting, or data migration. A primary use case is retrieving the list of all active grade definitions for setup or audit reports. Developers often join this table to PER_GRADES to get the descriptive name and effective dates for a grade assignment. A common query pattern involves selecting grade definitions for a specific flexfield structure or segment value. For example, to find all grade definitions and their associated descriptive grades, one would use: SELECT pgd.grade_definition_id, pg.name FROM per_grade_definitions pgd, per_grades pg WHERE pg.grade_definition_id = pgd.grade_definition_id;. This table is also crucial in backend interfaces and custom reports that need to translate the GRADE_DEFINITION_ID into a human-readable grade code.

Related Objects

The PER_GRADE_DEFINITIONS table has a direct and critical relationship with the PER_GRADES table, as documented in the provided metadata. The relationship is defined by a foreign key where PER_GRADES.GRADE_DEFINITION_ID references PER_GRADE_DEFINITIONS.GRADE_DEFINITION_ID. This means that every record in the PER_GRADES table (which holds the effective-dated details like name and compensation rates for a grade) must point to a valid, pre-existing combination in the PER_GRADE_DEFINITIONS table. No other foreign key relationships are documented in the provided excerpt, but in practice, the GRADE_DEFINITION_ID may be referenced by other HR-related tables or views that track employee assignments, positions, or salary proposals.