Table Structures contain the column definitions for a table. They do not store any actual table data; that is kept in Data Tables. Table Structures are also used as the connection point where data tables will be attached to a model at run time when running a projection. One data table will need to be assigned for each table structure referenced by the Projection.
Table Columns
A table definition is made up of 2 or more columns. The definition must contain at least one Index column and one Data column.
Index Columns: Index columns are the key values used to lookup data from a Data Table at run time.
Data Columns: Data columns contain the actual data to be read from the table. a table may contain multiple data columns representing different types of data. When reading from a table, the formula will specify values for each of the index columns, and one data column to be read. When reading from the table during a model run, the calculation engine will find the first row within the Data Table that contains values that match each Index column and return the value from the requested Data column.
Decrement/Lapse Tables
Decrement and Lapse tables are a special kind of Table Structure. SLOPE handles the reading of industry-standard decrement and lapse type tables differently than other tables. The Formula Builder contains special Decrement Table Formula types that allow for these tables to be efficiently read within variable formulas. It also allows users to switch between different types of decrement tables at run time without having to make changes to the variable formulas that use them.
Standard – The standard decrement table contains decrement or lapse rates indexed by Age and Gender Only
Improving – The improving decrement table contains decrement/lapse rates indexed by Age and Gender, but also include an improvement factor indexed by Age and Gender. The improving decrement table includes a decrement start year property. When reading from this table, the calculation engine will automatically apply exponential improvement to the decrement or lapse rates using the improvement factors and the number of whole years that have elapsed since the improvement start year.
Select and Ultimate – The Select and Ultimate decrement table contains decrement or lapse rates indexed by Age, Gender, and Duration. The select period can be specified as an integral number of years. After the select period, the table contains a set of ultimate rates.
Nested Tables
Nested tables are data tables that are referenced within other tables. The definition contains one or more Index Columns and one Data Column has its Data Type set to Data Table.