Data dictionary
Data dictionary names provide a shortcut to, or a simplified way to access information you want to use to calculate a budget. Lawson provides a data dictionary which contains a set of pre-defined data dictionary names you use to access activity information for these calculations. For example, if you select YTDACA, then the system retrieves year-to-date activity amounts. You cannot change or add to the pre-defined dictionary.
You can run Data Dictionary Listing (RW205) to create a data dictionary listing. See Data dictionary listing. You can also view a list of data dictionary names and how their parameters are used from Compute Statement (RW50.1).
Examples of data dictionary names
| Data dictionary name | Description |
|---|---|
| LTDACT | Life To Date Activity Total |
| PRDACU | Period Activity Units |
| YTDACB | Year To Date Activity Budget |
Parameters
Most data dictionary names accept parameters. These parameters identify more specifically what data is to be retrieved. For example, with the data dictionary name YTDACA, you specify the year and period in which you are interested. You do not have to specify parameters with a data dictionary name. For example, you can use the YTDACA data dictionary name in a compute statement without parameters. You can then use the same compute statement for many activity budgets; the application uses the budget you are currently working with.
Parameters attached to a data dictionary name are unique from and operate in addition to any compute parameters that you define and use with a compute statement. See Compute parameters.
There is no current year and period in Project Accounting. If you use a data dictionary name with a parameter that identifies current year, then the current year is presumed to be the year in the budget detail you are defining. If you are defining a budget for three different years, then it used the year from each line for the calculation.
| Name | Description | Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| YTDACA | Year To Date Activity Amount |
This item accepts optional year and period parameters. For example YTDACA(,9) represents year-to-date activity for the current year through period nine. YTDACA(1,9) will return year-to-date activity for the previous year through period nine. Note: The year
parameter indicates the number of years prior to the current year
for which you want to see budget data.
|