What does it do? Defines a single component in the definition of a DDIC structure using the statement DEFINE STRUCTURE in Dictionary DDL.
Optional component properties can be specified using annotations component_annos.
foreign_key_annos can be used to specify the properties of a foreign key dependency defined with foreign_key .
geo_annos specify properties of a component with the geodata type GEOM_EWKB.
comp indicates the name of the component.
data_element or abap.type is used to define an elementary component or a component with a reference type:
data_element can be used to specify an existing DDIC data element. If the data element has an elementary data type, an elementary component is defined. If the data element has a reference type, the component is defined with this reference type.
abap.type$[(n)$|(n,m)$] can be used to specify a built-in data type from the ABAP Dictionary and an elementary component of this type is defined. The prefix abap is mandatory and type indicates the type. n and m specify the length and number of decimal places, if required.
REFERENCE TO any_type is used to define a reference type. For any_type, the syntax abap.type$[(n)$|(n,m)$] can be used to specify any existing data types from the ABAP Dictionary, classes or interfaces from the class library, the generic types DATA or OBJECT, or built-in types.
struct $[BOXED$] is used to define a substructure. DDIC structures, DDIC database tables, or DDIC views can all be specified for struct. BOXED can be used to define the substructure as a static box.
table_type is used to define a tabular component. Table types from the ABAP Dictionary can be specified for table_type.
The additions KEY and NOT NULL can be used to define the component as a key field and to set a flag for initial values. The addition KEY has no effect when the structure is included in DDIC database tables. BEGIN_SECTION VERSION 5 OUT It must be used for structure components that are used as lock parameters of lock objects. END_SECTION VERSION 5 OUT The addition NOT NULL can be respected for structures that are included in DDIC database tables.
The addition value_help can be used to assign a search help to a structure component whose data type is defined using a data element with elementary data type.
The addition foreign_key can be used to define a foreign key dependency for a structure component whose data type is defined using a data element with elementary data type. This addition only makes sense for structures that are included in DDIC database tables. BEGIN_SECTION SAP_INTERNAL_HINT Setting the output style of decimal floating point numbers is missing. END_SECTION SAP_INTERNAL_HINT
Latest notes: The activation type (relevant only for DDIC database tables) cannot be modified using DEFINE STRUCTURE. NON_V5_HINTS ABAP_HINT_END
ABAP_EXAMPLE_VX5 Definition of elementary components of the structure DEMO_DAY with reference to built-in dictionary types. In the example for include structures, the structure is included more than once in another structure. @EndUserText.label : 'Demo for include structure' @AbapCatalog.enhancement.category : #NOT_EXTENSIBLE define structure demo_day { work : abap.char(8); free : abap.char(16); } ABAP_EXAMPLE_END
