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This is a review of our most recent Query Instruction meetings both of which concentrated on using Expressions and standard functions in Query.  This is also an overview of the content of the November classes which will be about using Wesleyan Functions in Expressions.

If you are unable to attend the classes, feel free to make use of any of the material in the SFIS Blog.  As always, I am available if you have any questions, general or specific, on working with Query.  Please send an email to cpike01@wesleyan.edu .

The October 9 Track 1 class introduced how to create expressions and reviewed examples of some of their uses.   Basically, expressions are calculations that PS Query performs as part of a query. For example, there can be mathematical calculations, SQL functions or Wesleyan functions utilized in expressions. Using common SQL functions increase the utility of expressions.   You can review Lesson 8 in the Query Manager module for more information, including a demonstration of concatenating fields and a page of notes on using expressions.

The next Track 1 class on November 6 continues with expressions (Lesson 8), introducing the use of Wesleyan Functions.

The October 16 Track 2 class reviewed the basics of working with expressions and expanded on the use of SQL functions.   If you go to the EXPRESSIONS page you will see a link to a document listing a number of Query Expressions Function Definitions and Examples. You will find similar expressions in Lesson 13 – Expressions – More Examples in the Advanced Concepts module.

The topic of the next Track 2 class on November 20 will be a review of Wesleyan Functions with illustrations of how they can be utilized.   An overview and examples of some Wes Functions can be found in Lesson 14 – Wes Functions Review.

This is a review of our most recent Query Instruction meetings both of which focused on using Joins in Query. This is also an overview of the content of the next classes which will be about using Expressions and Functions (including Wesleyan Functions).

If you are unable to attend the classes, feel free to make use of any of the material in the SFIS Blog. As always, I am available if you have any questions, general or specific, on working with Query.  Please send an email to cpike01@wesleyan.edu .

On September 4^th, in our Track 1 Query instruction class we discussed Joins in Query and how to select Criteria. These topics are found in the Query Manager module in the SFIS Blog:

• Lesson 7: Mastering Record Joins and Selection Criteria (starting at slide 30)

Through building a query with IDs and states, we joined two records and narrowed the criteria. We focused on adding a join using the Auto Join feature which looks for common keys among the joining records and creates a criteria row for each common key combination. Then we looked in detail at the attributes of the Edit Criteria Properties page and the steps that comprise adding criteria. In the Query Manager module you will find in-depth descriptions and examples of the most commonly used criteria.

The next Track 1 class (rescheduled to Thursday, October 9 at 2:00) will concentrate on Expressions and Functions:

• Lesson 8: Adding Expressions and Using Functions

In addition to defining and demonstrating the parts of an Expression through combining multiple fields, we will observe how a Wesleyan Function can be used to streamline the extraction of Wesleyan specific data from the database.

In our latest Track 2 Query class on September 18 we looked in depth at Joins in two lessons in the Advanced Concepts section of the Query Instructions in the SFIS Blog:

• Lesson 12: Join Variations (starting at slide 13)
• Lesson 17: Outer Joins (starting at slide 45)

In Lesson 12 we looked at and stepped through different types of Joins and at how they make record selection easier. In Lesson 17 we defined an Outer Join and created two queries that displayed two methods of producing an outer join. In both instances, on the criteria page there were examples of reordering and grouping to achieve the desired results.

The next Track 2 class (Thursday, 10/16/2014 at 2:00 p.m.)will look at more illustrations of Expressions and Wesleyan Functions.

• Lesson 13: Expressions – More Examples
• Lesson 14: Wes Functions Review

This examination of Expressions and Wesleyan Functions will offer examples of using common functions in an Expression. There is also a demonstration of using an Expression with a Prompt. The review of Wes Functions will include a discussion of how to locate and utilize these tools.

Tags: Criteria, Expression, Query - Advanced, Query Joins, Table Ordering, Wes Function

There are recent updates under the  Query Presentations/Demos section to the article and demonstrations about Effective Dates in Query.

• There is further detail on …
  • The automatic creation of Effective Date criteria
  • Special Effective Date Operators/ Condition Types with descriptions
  • Effective Status
• Also, there have been revisions to some of the presentations that display detailed examples of utilizing Effective Dating.  In particular, take a look at the two-part demonstration entitled Effective Dates – Removing the Automatically Set Criterion

The invitations for the next PeopleSoft Query Track 1 and Track 2 meetings were sent this afternoon. If you are not on the mailing/invitation list and would like to be – or have any questions about the sessions – please send an email to cpike01@wesleyan.edu

You are welcome to attend one or both sessions. As a prelude to the sessions, you can read over the material in the PS Query Instruction section of the SFIS Blog as indicated below. Both sessions will cover using Joins in PeopleSoft Query.

Just a reminder about the two tracks:

•  Track 1 presents Query for users who have not used it as yet or who have only a passing familiarity with the product.  In addition, there may be useful tips and other bits of knowledge that the more experienced user may find handy. The core of these sessions will be primarily based on the module – Introduction to PeopleSoft Query: Part II – Query Manager that you will find in the SFIS Blog.

o   In the next Track 1 session (scheduled for Thursday, September 4 from 2:00-3:00 in the Science Tower, Room 509a) the lesson will be Introduction to PeopleSoft Query Part II – Query Manager Lesson 7:  Mastering Record Joins and Selection Criteria (starting at Slide 30)

• Track 2 sessions are geared toward users who are more proficient with Query and would like to expand on that knowledge. We are using the material in the module PeopleSoft Query: Part II – Advanced Concepts as the basis for the sessions.

o   The next Track 2 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 18 from 2:00-3:00 in the Science Tower, Room 509a. We will be going over two Lessons related to Joins – PeopleSoft Query Part III – Advanced Concepts Lesson 12: Join Variations (Slide 13) and Lesson 17:   Mastering Outer Joins (Slide 45).