Best Approach for Creating an Extract File?

Question

Now that we are switching to PeopleSoft, I need to create a file each week based upon data in PeopelSoft that is modified before being written to the file. What is considered the best way to do this? Write some PS SQR, App Engine program? Batch program in Java (I'd be abel to do this the fastest but maybe it is not the best choice). I don't really know what to do, as I've never extracted data from PS before. Thanks.
Ken

Answer 1

I recommend creating an Application Engine and using a File Layout.
Here is the [PeopleBooks information on File Layouts with the File API|http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E13292_01/pt849pbr0/eng/psbooks/tpcr/htm/tpcr17.htm#g037ee99c9453fb39_ef90c_10c791ddc07__1454] . PeopleBooks has some pretty decent [code examples|http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E13292_01/pt849pbr0/eng/psbooks/tpcr/htm/tpcr17.htm#g037ee99c9453fb39_ef90c_10c791ddc07__1429] . In particular, look at the WriteRecord example.
One of the advantages to a file layout is that you just define what fields you want in the file, and the PeopleCode takes care of formating the file. To create the file layout definition, you will be adding a new definition in Application Designer --> File > New ... File Layout. Here is [some information in PeopleBooks|http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E13292_01/pt849pbr0/eng/psbooks/tapd/htm/tapd21.htm#g037ee99c9453fb39_ef90c_10c791ddc07__7705] about that part. You set the file type (CSV, Flat, or XML) on the File Layout properties (click the properties button on the toolbar). If you have a Record definition in the system that resembles the format (# of fields) in the file, you can just insert that record into the File Layout. Otherwise, you have to insert the fields one by one. For each field, double click on the field name to set the properties for the field such as the position in a flat file or the tag name for an XML file.
In the Application Engine, you will do most of the work in a PeopleCode action. If you don't already have all of the data in one table, I recommend creating a Staging table (staging record). Then, add a step to the App Engine program and a SQL action or two that will load all your data into that one staging table.
In your PeopleCode action, you will use PeopleCode's SQL object to loop through the rows of the staging table. This is in the WriteRecord example, but here is the [SQL object documentation|http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E13292_01/pt849pbr0/eng/psbooks/tpcr/htm/tpcr39.htm#g037ee99c9453fb39_ef90c_10c791ddc07__1848] for more information.
I hope I have pointed you to enough resources to help you figure it out. Post back more questions if anything is unclear or you get stuck.