ABAP/4 Data Dictionary
Presentation Overview
Contents
Introduction to ABAP/4 Data Dictionary
Definition
Function
Basic Objects of ABAP/4 Dictionary
Tables and Structures
Data Elements
Domain
Domains
Data Elements
Tables & Structures
Aggregated Objects
Views
Search Help
Lock Objects
Presentation Overview
Demo
Basic transactions
Creation of Domains
Creation of Data Elements
Creation of Tables
Generation of Maintenance View for tables
Data Dictionary
Definition
A data dictionary is a central source of information for the data in a data
management system. Its main function is to support the creation and management of
data definitions (or "metadata”)
Functions
Management of data definitions
Provision of information for evaluations
Support for software development
Support for documentation
Ensuring that data definitions are flexible and up-to-date
Data Dictionary
Basic Objects of ABAP/4 Dictionary
Objects in the ABAP/4 Dictionary resided on three levels that support
their re-usability. These levels are:
1. Tables and structures
2. Data elements
3. Domains
Elements hierarchy
• Fields
• Data element
• Domain
• Data type
Domains
Describes the technical characteristics of a table field
Specifies a value range which describes allowed data values for the
fields
Fields referring to the same domain (via the data elements assigned
to them) are changed when a change is made to the domain
Ensures consistency
e.g., Purchasing document number (EBELN)
How does it look like in SAP ?
Data Elements
Describes the role played by a field in a technical context
Fields of same semantic meaning can refer to the same data element
Contains the field information
- eg. Purchasing document number (EBELN)
How does it look like in SAP ?
Tables & Structures
Tables
Represent the Database Tables where data actually resides.
Tables can be defined independently of the database in the ABAP Dictionary.
The fields of the table are defined with their (database-independent) ABAP/4 data
types and lengths.
Structures
Are record declarations that do not correspond to a Database Table.
Just like user-defined data type.
Defined like a table and can then be addressed from ABAP/4 programs.
Structures contain data only during the runtime of a program.
How does a transparent table look like
in SAP ?
How does a Structure look like in SAP ?
Demo
Transactions to play with
SE11 : Data Dictionary Initial Screen (SE12 Display only)
SE13 : ABAP Dictionary : Technical Settings
SE14 : Database Utility
SE15 : Repository Information System
SE16 : Data Browser
SE17 : General table Display
SE55 : Table View Maintenance
SM30 : Table Maintenance
Demo
Creation of Domains (Things to Keep in mind)
Data Type
Length
Output Length
Conversion Routines
Value Length
Activation & Syntax Checks
Demo
Creation of Data Elements
Domain
Texts
Documentation
Activation & Syntax Checks
Demo
Creation of Tables (Things to Keep in mind)
Client Dependency
Delivery Class
Table Maintenance
Foreign Keys (Check tables)
Other Attributes
Technical Settings
Table Maintenance Views
Activation & Syntax Checks
Demo
Technical Settings
Data Class
Size Category
Buffering
Demo
Generation of Table Maintenance Views
Authorization Group
Function Group
Aggregated Objects of ABAP/4
Dictionary
Aggregated means consisting of several components. In the ABAP/4
Dictionary, aggregated objects are objects which come from several
different transparent tables.
1. Views
2. Search Help
3. Lock Objects
Views (Aggregated Objects)
Tailored to the needs of
a specific application
Used to summarize data
which is distributed
among several tables
The data of a view is
not actually physically
stored. The data of a
view is instead derived
from one or more other
tables
How does a view look like in SAP ?
Search Help (Match codes)
A Search help is a tool to
help you search for data
records in the system
An efficient and user-
friendly search aid for
cases where the key of a
record is unknown
Search help in SAP
Lock Objects
Simultaneous accessing of the same data record by two users in the
SAP system is synchronized by a lock mechanism.
Locks are set and released by calling certain function modules. These
function modules are generated automatically from the definition of
so-called lock objects in the ABAP/4 Dictionary
Function modules :
Enqueue_<obj name> - to lock the table
dequeue_<obj name> - to release the lock
How does a Lock object look like in SAP
?
ABAP/4 Repository Information
The ABAP/4 Repository Information System allows you to obtain information
about objects (tables, fields, domains, etc.) in the ABAP/4 Repository.
You can find anything that is used in programs by using the Data Repository
? Search by attributes Where-used lists
?
Display all objects of type X Display all objects of type Y
with attribute Y which use attribute X
Data
Info. about tables Repository
& relationships Modified objects
Display all table fields Display all objects of
with check table X type X which were changed by
?
user Y on date DDMMYY
?
