SAP ABAP Database Tables
SAP ABAP database tables are collection of fields, in which fields are made up of columns and rows. In SAP more than 8000 tables are defined. When table is created, its columns are named and data type is supplied for each columns. There can be only one data value in each column of each row in a table.
To define tables in ABAP dictionary, you need to define fields first, so to define a field, you need to specify data type, length and description.
Field = Data Element + Domain
Domain = Data type + Length
Data Element = Description
Types of ABAP database tables
- Transparent tables
- Pool Tables
- Cluster tables
Transparent tables
Transparent tables are used to stare the application’s master data and transaction data.It is a one to one relationship with the tables in database (SAP database, SQL, Oracle, etc) i.e. the name of table, field names and the number of fields are similar in both DDIC and database (DB). In real time, an organization mostly works with transparent tables.
Pool tables
Pools tables are one to many relationship with the database tables. The system follows binary search while accessing the pool tables. These pool tables are used to store the internal controlling information.
Cluster tables
Cluster tables are many to on relationship with the database tables. The system follows linear search while accessing the cluster tables.
What is binary search and linear search?
Binary search : – The system divides total records into two equal parts, then the system starts searching in second half, if the record in not found in second half the system starts searching in first half.
Linear search : – The system starts searching the record from 1st record until the required record in found. Once the system finds the record, it stops the search.
You can create database tables in SAP ABAP using transaction code SE11.