Lecture 3The ABAP Data Dictionary

BCO5647 Applications Programming Techniques (ABAP)

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Readings & Objectives

Readings

Matzke Chapter 2Section 2.1

Objectives

This lecture will

Review the definition and purpose of the ABAP Dictionary

Explore ways to access the ABAP Dictionary

Examine ABAP Dictionary objects: Transparent Tables, Data Elements,Domains, Check Tables

Consider the importance of the ABAP Dictionary in relations to writing anABAP program.

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The ABAP Dictionary

The ABAP Dictionary allows you to define data objects such as tables andstructures.

A transparent table in the dictionary has a one-to-one relationship with a tablein the database.

Transparent Table

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Accessing the ABAP Dictionary

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A table definition in the Dictionary

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Basic Dictionary Objects

Tables are made up of rows containing one or more fields.

When a field is defined its data type is determined by reference to a data element. A dataelement stores semantic properties – field label and online documentation (F1 help). A data element also references a domain.

A domain contains technical properties - data type/length.

Data elements and domains are reusable

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Data Elements & Domains

z_phonef

Label: fax number

z_phonew

Label: work number

z_phoneh

Label: home number

zphone

type: char

len: 12

phone_w

phone_f

phone_h

Customer Table Data Domain fields Elements

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SAP’s Flight Data Model

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The ABAP Dictionary - Summary

The ABAP Dictionary is the central facility in the SAP system where you cancreate and maintain tables and other objects.

To create a table, you first need domains and data elements. Domains providethe technical characteristics of a field: data elements provide the fieldlabels and F1 help. Both are reusable.