A RecordType object represents a non-hierarchical grouping of records.
A RecordType exhibits a one-to-many relationship with record objects, that is, a record type can be associated with multiple records filed in different folders across the file plan. Record objects, however, have a one-to-one relationship with a record type, that is, a RecordInfo object can be associated with only one RecordType object.
A RecordType object is used to associate a disposition schedule with a RecordInfo object, as you cannot directly associate a disposition schedule with a RecordInfo object. The disposition of a record depends upon the disposition schedule associated with the record type, or the record category or record folder where the record object is filed.
If there are different disposition schedules associated with the record type and record container object, the record disposal will be based on the disposition schedule associated with the record type. The cutoff and the retention period of the disposition schedule associated with a record type take precedence. For example, consider a record object that is filed in a record folder associated with the disposition schedule object, DS1. This record object is also associated with a RecordType object with a disposition schedule, DS2. In such a situation, the record would be disposed of according to the disposition schedule DS2. A RecordType object can be used to define a disposition schedule for a group of records to be disposed of differently from the disposition schedule associated with the folder where these records are filed.
The following topics in this section discuss how to create a RecordType object, and associate it with a RecordInfo object.