topic Re: data elements .. in Application Development and Automation Discussions

data elements ..

Former Member — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:00:11 GMT

hi,

i create a custom table and add a field. In the data element column, I enter CHAR2.

i create another field where I enter the data element as say ZDEFIELD2. In SE11 I have created an associated domain with CHAR2 and created this dataelement based on that domain.

what is the difference between these 2 approaches ? isn't the first one simpler !! wud be helpful if u can explain.

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:34:31 GMT

Domain contains the technical details for a field line type length etc. Where as data-element contains other details description(s) (Long,Short,Medium) of the field. If u do not require description for ur field then there is no diff. of creating a data-element or using the domain directly.

Regards,

Joy.

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:24:41 GMT

thanks..where r those descriptions short, long, medium used ?

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:40:25 GMT

The description is used wherever the reference of the field is needed in the screen not by name but by its text . For example in the module pool programming or in the selection screen of a report.

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:02:12 GMT

The short, medium and long descriptions are used wherever the domain/data elements are referred.

i.e. depending on the display length at various places, either the short or medium or the long descriptions are displayed.

cheers,

Sushil Joshi

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:59:27 GMT

u can give documentation for the field using data element, u can also set parameter ids.

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:54:43 GMT

Descriptions are used the in the table where the field is defined. It helps the user to understand what is the purpose of this field.

Also SAP fetches this description when u display the field in output of ALV report.

Regards,

Joy.

Re: data elements ..

Former Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:29:44 GMT

Hi ,

whenever you create a DE instead of giving any built in data type, you have below advantages.

1) you get the Documentation (F1) for each field whereever the DE has been used in the report or the Module Pool Prog.

2) the Field label defined for the DE is used in the output. The grid displays the field label based on the length of the field displayed in the grid.

3) The DE short description will be showed in the table where the DE has been used. The description of the field in the table fetches the short description of the DE and will be displayed in the table.

Regards,

Vivek Shah