ABAP FAQS WITH ANSWERS

1. Can you create a table with fields not referring to dataelements?
YES. eg:- ITAB LIKE SPFLI.here we are referening to a data object(SPFLI) not data element.What are the different types of data dictionary objects? tables,structures, views, domains, data elements, lock objects, Match codeobjects.
2. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?
STEP 1: CONVERTING THE LEGACY SYSTEM DATA TO A FLAT FILE to internaltable CALLED "CONVERSION".
STEP 2: TRANSFERING THE FLAT FILE INTO SAP SYSTEM CALLED "SAP DATATRANSFER".
STEP 3: DEPENDING UPON THE BDC TYPEi)call transaction(Write the program explicity)ii) create sessions (sessions are created and processed.if successdata will transfer).
3. What are the problems in processing batch input sessions and Howis batch input process different from processing online?
PROBLEMS:i) If the user forgets to opt for keep session then the session willbe automatically removed from the session queue(log remains).However if session is processed we may delete it manually.
ii)if session processing fails data will not be transferred to SAPdatabase table.

4. What does an extract statement do in the ABAP program?
Once you have declared the possible record types as field groups anddefined their structure, you can fill the extract dataset using thefollowing statements: EXTRACT. When the first EXTRACT statementoccurs in a program, the system creates the extract dataset and addsthe first extract record to it. In each subsequent EXTRACTstatement, the new extract record is added to the dataset EXTRACTHEADER. When you extract the data, the record is filled with thecurrent values of the corresponding fields. As soon as the systemhas processed the first EXTRACT statement for a field group , thestructure of the corresponding extract record in the extract datasetis fixed. You can no longer insert new fields into the field groupsand HEADER. If you try to modify one of the field groups afterwardsand use it in another EXTRACT statement, a runtime error occurs. Byprocessing EXTRACT statements several times using different fieldgroups, you fill the extract dataset with records of differentlength and structure. Since you can modify field groups dynamicallyup to their first usage in an EXTRACT statement, extract datasetsprovide the advantage that you need not determine the structure atthe beginning of the program.

5. Can a transparent table exist in data dictionary but not in thedata base physically?
NO. TRANSPARENT TABLE DO EXIST WITH THE SAME STRUCTURE BOTH IN THEDICTIONARY AS WELL AS IN THE DATABASE,EXACTLY WITH THE SAME DATA ANDFIELDS.

6. What is the step by step process to create a table in datadictionary?
step 1: creating domains(data type, field length, range).
step 2: creating data elements(properties and type for a tablefield).
step 3: creating tables(SE11).

7. What is the typical structure of an ABAP/4 program?
HEADER ,BODY,FOOTER.

8. A situation: An ABAP program creates a batch input session. Weneed to submit the program and the batch session in back ground. Howto do it?
go to SM36 and create background job by giving job name, job classand job steps (JOB SCHEDULING)

9. What are the domains and data elements?
DOMAINS : FORMAL DEFINITION OF THE DATA TYPES.THEY SET ATTRIBUTESSUCH AS DATA TYPE,LENGTH,RANGE.
DATA ELEMENT : A FIELD IN R/3 SYSTEMIS A DATA ELEMENT.

10. What is the alternative to batch input session?
Call transaction.

11. What is a batch input session?
BATCH INPUT SESSION is an intermediate step between internal tableand database table. Data along with the action is stored in sessionie data for screen fields, to which screen it is passed, programname behind it, and how next screen is processed.

12. What is the advantage of structures? How do you use them in theABAP programs?
Adv:- GLOBAL EXISTANCE(these could be used by any other programwithout creating it again).

13. How many types of tables exists and what are they in datadictionary?
4 types of tables
i)Transparent tables - Exists with the same structure both indictionary as well as in database exactly with the same data andfields. Both Opensql and Nativesql can be used.
ii)Pool tables &iii)Cluster tables - These are logical tables that are arranged asrecords of transparent tables. one cannot use native sql on thesetables (only open sql).They are not managable directly usingdatabase system tools.
iv)Internal tables - .?