Chapter 02 abap dictionary objects1

ABAP Dictionary Objects

March-2005 ABAP Dictionary Objects | 2.02

Objectives

• The participants will be able to:– Access the ABAP Dictionary– Discuss the Basic Objects (Domain, Data Element,

Table etc.) of the ABAP Dictionary– Define and create a Table, Data Element, and

Domain

March-2005 ABAP Dictionary Objects | 2.02 2

Accessing the ABAP Dictionary


DataDictionary

Use transaction code SE11 to access the ABAP Dictionary


Basic Objects of the ABAP Data Dictionary

Table CTable BTable A

Data Element 1 Data Element 2

DomainDomain

Tables


Tables store the information that is in the database.

They consist of rows (records) and columns (fields).

TABLE KNA1(Customers)

NAME1 ORT02 MANDT KUNNR

Table: KNA1Table: KNA1Table: KNA1Table: KNA1


The Object Navigator is used to organize your programming in an integrated development environment

Object Navigator

Create a Table


Enter a description (short text)

Maintain delivery class

Table maintenance attribute

Two-Level Domain Concept


Data Element 1Data Element 1 Data Element 2Data Element 2

DomainDomain

In SAP R/3, a field is defined by being assigned to a data element, which is in turn assigned to a domain


Data Element 1Data Element 1

Table BTable A

A data element provides a meaningful description for a field

Data Elements

Pre-Defined Data Elements


SAP R/3 comes delivered with many pre-defined data elements

Create Data Element


Enter a description (short text).

Enter domain name.


Maintain field labels or column headers in the Field Label tab

Create Data Element (Contd.)

Data Element Documentation


In addition to providing field descriptions and headers, data elements can provide detailed field documentation

Domains


A domain specifies the technical characteristics and the allowed values of a field

Domains are linked to fields via data elements

Table ATable A

Data Elements

Domain

Characteristics of Domains


Domains can exist independently in the ABAP Dictionary Multiple data elements may be assigned to the same

domain Pre-defined domains exist in the SAP system Domains can also specify a field’s output characteristics

Table ATable A

Data Elements

Domain

Allowed Values


Value Table

Domain Domain

January

February

March . . . . . . .

December


validvalues

invalidvalues

By defining valid values for a domain, automatic validation is provided for any fields that point to that domain

Benefits of Using Allowed Values


Enter a description (short text).

Enter data type

Enter the number of characters allowed for this domain

Create a Domain


Create a Domain (Contd.)

Activate Icon

Assign Single Values

Assign Interval Values

Assign a Value Table


Add Fields to Table

Enter Data Element “ZXXFIRSTNAME”

Check the Primary Key Checkbox

Enter the Field Name “FIRSTNAME”


Maintain Technical Settings of a Table

Enter a Size Category

Enter a Data Class

Demonstration


Creation of a transparent table using transaction SE11 along with the relevant data-element and domains.

Practice


Creation of a transparent table using transaction SE11 along with the relevant data-element and domains.

Using a Table in Program Code


TABLES: YEMPLOY.

SELECT *FROM YEMPLOY.

WRITE: / YEMPLOY_IDYEMPLOY_NAMEYEMPLOY_SALARY

ENDSELECT.

• Use transaction code SE11 to access the ABAP Dictionary• The basic objects of the ABAP Dictionary are tables, data elements, and

domains• Tables are the objects that actually hold the information in a database• A data element provides a meaningful description for a field• A domain specifies the technical characteristics and the allowed values

of a field


Summary

• What is the transaction to access the ABAP Dictionary ?

• What is a data element ?• What is a domain ?• What is a value table in a domain ?


Questions

Documents

Chapter 02 abap dictionary objects1