A lookup table is a type of information table used in software to retrieve data based on search criteria. It is used in billing, sales, and educational databases, and can be structured for manual or automated use, making data retrieval quick and efficient.
A lookup table is a type of information table that is commonly used in various software products. The main purpose of this type of table is to allow the program to use specified search criteria to find the data contained in the right array and successfully retrieve it for use. Many different types of software products use a lookup table, including sales databases and accounting software used to create invoices that are ultimately forwarded to customers.
The actual configuration of the lookup table will determine how the data matrix or array is accessed and the correct information is retrieved. Many projects require you to retrieve the correct data by entering a certain range of characters into a certain field. Based on the string of characters, the software scans the stored data and retrieves whatever is needed to complete the query. For example, a billing program might allow a user to enter the first three letters of a customer’s name, triggering retrieval of that customer’s billing address and contact information. Using codes for specific products can also lead to the retrieval of a product description and unit cost associated with that customer, making the process of creating an invoice much easier.
In addition to billing functions, a lookup table can also be used in a number of other applications. The same general approach can be used to retrieve customer information in a sales database or to search for various files found on a hard drive, using a specified search criteria. This approach can allow a salesperson to quickly identify notes and other information relevant to a given customer order and check the current status, or even recall a completed order and place a duplicate order at a customer’s request. Educational databases also use the lookup table approach, making it easy for students and faculty to retrieve information with relative ease.
In some cases, a lookup table is structured to work by entering specific code by an end user. Other times, the code used to create and structure the table will allow for an automated process that helps fill in the information in the fields without requiring a series of manual queries from the user. In any scenario, the lookup table serves as a quick and easy way to access archived data without having to go through a complicated process, allowing end users to handle various tasks with a greater level of efficiency.
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