topic what is the difference between a field symbol and a reference. in Application Development and Automation Discussions

what is the difference between a field symbol and a reference.

former_member473486 — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:51:18 GMT

hi every one,

what is the difference between a field symbol and a reference.

Moderator Message: Interview-type questions are not allowed.

Edited by: kishan P on Dec 6, 2010 1:29 PM

Former Member — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:47:35 GMT

Data references are pointers to data objects. You can only de-reference a data reference using a special assignment to a field symbol.

Field symbols are placeholders or symbolic names for other fields. They do not physically reserve space for a field, but point to its contents.

Former Member — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:34:17 GMT

Sorry for my delayed response.

I will explain what you have asked with a example.

(1) Declare a variable -> lv_var Type Integer Value 5.

This means a variable is created and it holds a value 5.

(2) Declare a variable -> lv_ref Type ref to Integer.

This is a not a normal variable rather a special variable bcoz it is capable of holding the address of another Integer type variable

(3)Get the refence of lv_var Into lv_ref.

Now lv_ref holds the memory address of lv_var

(4) Declare a field symbol and assign the refernce variable to that field symbol.

Why is this required ? Bcoz although you get the refence of the variable lv_var in lv_ref you can't directly get the value.

First you have to derefernec it using a field symbol and then access its value.

So reference var. holds the memory address and field symbol is the dereference var and it points to only the content of the varable (in our case, 5)

Thanks,

deb