Get Example source ABAP code based on a different SAP table
WRITE, Output Length When data is written using the statement WRITE, the output is stored in the list buffer and accessed from there for display when the list is called. ITOC Each time a data object is output by a WRITE, an output length is defined, either implicitly in accordance with the tables below, or explicitly if len is specified after the addition AT. The output length defines the following:
The number of positions (or memory spaces) available for characters in the list buffer,
The number of columns (or cells) available in the actual list.
Predefined Output Lengths If the output length is not specified explicitly, it is set for built-in ABAP types as listed in the following tables:
Latest notes:
With all data objects, except those of type string, and with text field literals, it is possible that fewer characters are displayed in the list than are stored in the list buffer when predefined output lengths are used. With data objects of data type string and text field literals it is assumed that all characters should be displayed. For this reason, the implicit output length is calculated using the characters contained in the data object so that it corresponds to the number of columns needed in the list. Any trailing blanks in the list buffer are cut off during the writing of the actual list.
For data objects whose data types are defined in reference to the ABAP Dictionary, a different output length can be specified in the corresponding domains or using the built-in type. The output length specified here is used instead of the implicit output length from the table above. ABAP_HINT_END
Numeric Data TypesData TypeOutput Length b3 s5 i11 int820 p2 x length of dobj (+ 1, if there is a decimal separator) decfloat1624 decfloat3446 f24
Latest notes:
The predefined output length specified in the table above for the type s is not sufficient to display the sign for a 5-digit number. If the types i and int8 are used, the length is sufficient for all possible numbers without decimal separators.
If, in the case of type p, the number of decimal places is greater than the number of digits calculated from 2 x the length of dobj - 1, the predefined length is not enough. This is because the decimal separator is outside the string of digits and must be padded with zeros. ABAP_HINT_END
Character-Like Data TypesData TypeOutput Length cLength of dobj, maximum 255 stringNumber of columns required in the list. If this is greater than the number of characters in dobj, the surplus places are padded with blanks when written to the list buffer. The filling takes place to the right of left-aligned outputs, to the left of right-aligned outputs and alternatively to the right and to the left of centered outputs. nLength of dobj, maximum 255 The output length of text field literals is set in the same way as that of data objects of the data type string.
Latest notes: For the data types SSTRING and STRING, it is not possible specify an output length in the ABAP Dictionary and the lengths given in the table above always apply. ABAP_HINT_END
Byte-Like Data TypesData TypeOutput Length x2 x length of dobj, maximum 255 xstring2 x number of bytes contained
Latest notes: For the data types RAWSTRING and GEOM_EWKB, it is not possible specify an output length in the ABAP Dictionary and the lengths given in the table above always apply. ABAP_HINT_END
Date Types, Time Types, and Time Stamp TypesData TypeOutput Length d8 t6 utclong30
Latest notes:
The predefined output lengths given in the table above for the types d and t are not sufficient to display the corresponding separator.
The output length for the data type utclong is specified such that the date and time data country-specific date and time formats can be output. ABAP_HINT_END
Enumerated Types The output length of an enumerated type is 30.
Latest notes: In the list output, an enumerated object is converted to the name of the enumerated value, which can have a maximum of 30 characters. ABAP_HINT_END
Output Length in List Buffer If the output length is shorter than the length of the data format specified for the data object or defined using int_format_options, the output is truncated in accordance with the truncation behavior described in WRITE ... TO. If the output length is greater than the length of a predefined or user-defined format, this output length is filled in the list buffer and output is arranged there according to the predefined or user-defined alignment. Space that is not required is filled with blanks.
Output Length in the List When displaying or spooling a list, the content stored in the list buffer is passed to the list. Each character generally occupies one position in the list buffer. However, a character can occupy more than one column in the list (this is particularly the case with East Asian characters). However, since the list only contains the same number of columns as there are positions in the list buffer, this means the list can only display fewer characters than are stored in the list buffer. The list output is then truncated during the transfer from the list buffer to the list, left-aligned outputs are truncated from the right, right-aligned outputs are truncated from the left. Centered outputs are truncated by the alternative removal of the first empty space from both sides, starting with the side with the most empty spaces, then other characters are removed from the right hand side. If characters are removed when passed from the list buffer to the list, this is indicated on the left by the character < and on the right by the character >. On a displayed list, the entire list content can be displayed by choosing System -> List -> Unicode Display.
Class for Calculating Output Lengths The methods of the system class CL_ABAP_LIST_UTILITIES can be used to calculate output lengths in the list buffer and in list display. The return values of these methods can be used to program a correct column alignment for ABAP lists, even if they contain characters that require more than one column.
