System Catalog Table

System tables, also called system catalog tables, are analogous to a table of contents for a book or to file allocation tables on a hard drive. The structure and table names vary depending on which RDBMS you use. System catalog tables:

• Keep track of all of the objects that reside in the database instance.
• Are created by and owned by the RDBMS.
• Are often described as system metadata.

PeopleTools Metadata Table

PeopleTools tables provide the infrastructure for PeopleSoft applications by storing and managing PeopleSoft application metadata. This metadata consists of information that defines the application, such as records, fields, pages, PeopleCode, and security. PeopleTools tables:

• Define the structure of all object definitions that make up an application.
• Use the same table structure for all applications.
• Contain data that is added and updated only when the application is installed, or when using development tools such as PeopleSoft Application Designer or Data Mover.

PeopleSoft application data tables

Application data tables store data entered through a PeopleSoft application. The specific tables and their structures vary by application. Application data tables:

• Contain day to day transactional data entered and updated by users.
• They are empty prior to data entry (except the demo databases).