Documentation :: Publications
What is a Publication?
A Program Finder "publication" provides a particular view into the Program Finder database. A publication is described by its extract template and its search filter.
The extract template formats the program data to include the fields needed for the publication in a format most convenient to the publication officer. The extract template may only be modified by a programmer in Web Services.
The search filter reduces the list of programs stored in the database down to just the ones that are relevant to the given publication. There are filters for fields such as "available through SATAC", "available to commencing students", or selected disciplines and academic levels. The search filter can be modified by a Publications editor, along with the other Publication fields.
What are Publications for?
Publication extracts are used to populate program-related printed publications. Because Program Finder provides a central place for Faculties to put all program-related information, extracting printed publications from this source both increases the consistency and oversight of program-related data, and decreases the number of places the information needs to be maintained.
Another use for Publications may be to use them as a mechanism for sending program information out to non-Program Finder editors so they can review and give feedback. These reports can be run on demand, distributed as needed, and then any changes fed back into Program Finder by a program editor.
How are Extracts Run?
Publication extracts can be requested manually by anyone who is allowed to add or edit data in Program Finder, via the Publications interface. Simply locate the publication you're interested in, select the year's data you want, and click 'Download'. The extract will be emailed to you.
Publications may be configured to run automatically on a certain date, and sent to a designated list of recipients. The year portion of the 'extract date' is ignored so that the publication will be extracted every year on that day.
A Publication may also be configured to automatically send a designated reminder email in advance of an automatic extract. The list of maintainers includes Admissions and International Program Finder administrators, plus the discipline Administrators included in the publications search filter.
