Oracle Fast Formulas - Chapter 33: Writing Modular and Reusable Fast Formulas

 

✅ Chapter 33: Writing Modular and Reusable Fast Formulas

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As formulas grow more complex, writing them in a modular and reusable way ensures better performance, maintainability, and clarity. Oracle Fusion allows you to split logic into manageable sub-formulas and reuse them across different payroll rules, absence calculations, or benefits processing.

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🧩 What is a Modular Fast Formula?

A modular fast formula refers to a structure where main logic is split into separate, focused subformulas, each handling specific parts of the logic (like tax calculation, bonus eligibility, etc.).

📌 Benefits:

• Easier to debug and maintain

• Promotes reusability across multiple payrolls or plans

• Improves readability and performance

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📘 Structure of a Modular Formula

There are typically two types of formulas involved:

1. Main Formula – Orchestrates the logic and calls other formulas

2. Sub Formulas – Performs reusable calculations

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🛠 Example: Modular Payroll Formula

🔹 Sub Formula: BONUS_ELIGIBILITY_CHECK

pl
INPUTS ARE JOB_CODE, YEARS_OF_SERVICE
DEFAULT FOR JOB_CODE IS 'NA'
DEFAULT FOR YEARS_OF_SERVICE IS 0

IF (JOB_CODE = 'MG01' AND YEARS_OF_SERVICE > 3) THEN
  ELIGIBLE = 'Y'
ELSE
  ELIGIBLE = 'N'
ENDIF

RETURN ELIGIBLE

🔹 Main Formula: CALCULATE_BONUS

plsql
INPUTS ARE JOB_CODE, YEARS_OF_SERVICE, SALARY
DEFAULT FOR SALARY IS 0

ELIGIBILITY = CALL_FORMULA('BONUS_ELIGIBILITY_CHECK', JOB_CODE, YEARS_OF_SERVICE)

IF ELIGIBILITY = 'Y' THEN
  BONUS = SALARY * 0.1
ELSE
  BONUS = 0
ENDIF

RETURN BONUS

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🔄 How to Call Subformulas

To call a subformula:

plsql
RESULT_VAR = CALL_FORMULA('FORMULA_NAME', PARAM1, PARAM2, ...)

• Ensure parameters match in order and type

• Subformulas must return values using RETURN keyword

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🧠 Best Practices

Tip	Description
1️⃣	Break down large formulas into focused sub-tasks
2️⃣	Reuse validation or eligibility logic across payrolls
3️⃣	Give meaningful names to all subformulas
4️⃣	Keep subformula logic generic and configurable
5️⃣	Always test each formula individually before combining

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🧾 Common Use Cases for Modular Formulas

• Eligibility checks (age, job code, tenure)

• Bonus / Allowance logic

• Leave accrual based on grade or location

• Reusable tax slab or PF computation

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🧪 Mini Quiz

1. What is the main purpose of a subformula?
a) To style payslip output
b) To break complex logic into manageable parts
c) To export XML code
d) To store historical results

✅ Answer: b) To break complex logic into manageable parts

2. What does CALL_FORMULA() do in a Fast Formula?
a) Imports global CSS
b) Sends email alerts
c) Calls and executes another formula
d) Generates report

✅ Answer: c) Calls and executes another formula