topic Database table without a key in Application Development and Automation Discussions

Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:31:00 GMT

I would like to create a database table without a key.

Is that possible? How?

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:32:35 GMT

No you cannot create a table without Primary key.

Try creating a View which doesnot require a key.

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:35:18 GMT

It's not proposed to have tables without any key.

At least you can create a surrogated ID which identifies each line uniquely.

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:40:00 GMT

It doesn't allow me to create 1 without a key.

I get an error log saying

-specify a primary key

-Structure change at field level(convert table)

Regarding the surrogate key I thought about that but wanted an easier way out

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:43:28 GMT

hi,

u cannot create a table without a key, at least u need to maintain one key, but u can create strctures without key

Re: Database table without a key

ThomasZloch — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:46:47 GMT

If you tell me why you want to do that I will tell you if it can be done.

Without any key for quick access it's just a worhtless lump of data imho.

Thomas

Re: Database table without a key

rainer_hbenthal — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:53:25 GMT

So every sequentiel file is a worhtless lump of data?

Every GSAM Table in IMS-DB is a worthless lump of data?

Every internal table in a report without a key is a worhtless lump of data?

There are many things which dont need to be accessed via a key, a sequentiel access is enough.

In a relational database a table should have a key, and in the SAP environment a table must have a key.

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:06:24 GMT

Hi,

Even If you want to store some story with sevaral lines in the data base ,Each time you need the line number to enter the full story.

So create one index along with the mandt primary key.

You can not create a data base table without a key.

Regards,

Rama.

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:13:33 GMT

Well i do need this worthless lumpn of data.

In a nutshell i require to validate whatever new entries come in to the table whether they are repeated or not.

1 method to circumvent this is to use sr. no as a key. And ill probably use that as my last resort.

Re: Database table without a key

valter_oliveira — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:23:36 GMT

Hello.

I would ask you to explain the goal of creating a table without key. That way we can all think in a workaround.

Regards.

Valter Oliveira.

Re: Database table without a key

rainer_hbenthal — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:36:31 GMT


So create one index along with the mandt primary key.

That table can hold exakt one row

Re: Database table without a key

Former Member — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:57:48 GMT

Thanks guys

Already created a workaround

I appended a serial number on the leftmost column and made that my primary key

Whenever i run the prograam i just count the number of rows in the existing table and use that to generate thje serial number

Re: Database table without a key

ThomasZloch — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:51:37 GMT

Of course you are right, I was only thinking about the relational databases underlying the SAP applications.

On the other hand, some flat files I receive here with supposed FI postings are just what my quote suggests

Thomas