topic Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE in Application Development and Automation Discussions

CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

Former Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:30:28 GMT

Hi ABAP expert

Is the point below a good summary.

Variables -

CLEAR -> delete variable contents - no usage for internal table

Internal Tables -

REFRESH -> delete internal table contents - but do not release the memory spaced occupied previously by the internal table

FREE -> delete internal table contents - and release completely the memory spaced occupied.

Conclusion -

Do you confirm the points below :

1. It's better to use FREE than REFRESH as you want to delete the internal table contents.

2. CLEAR on internal table will only delete the header line contents.

Cheers

Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

harsha_jalakam — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:38:38 GMT

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Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

Former Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:28:30 GMT

Yes your conclusion are right

But I suppose this conclusion is valid mostly in OO ABAP,

REFRESH is like FREE, but it doesn't release the memory used for the initial line, this concept doesn't exit in OO, so now REFRESH is considered an obsolete command.

Max

Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

Former Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:35:16 GMT

Hi Ken,

Yes you are right.

Below is another discussion that confirms your points:

Regards,

Ashvin

Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

rosenberg_eitan — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:48:19 GMT

Hi,

Clear can also be used with internal table .

http://help.sap.com/abapdocu_740/en/

I prefer not to use internal tables with header.

Regards.

Re: CLEAR, REFRESH, FREE

Former Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 19:25:42 GMT

You are right Ken.

When internal table (say ITAB) is declared with header line, Then

CLEAR ITAB. would remove data ONLY from the HEADER line.

CLEAR ITAB[]. would remove data from the table LINES.

Usually, CLEAR is used to remove data from variables and work areas.

REFRESH, FREE is used for internal tables. And you have rightly pointed out the difference.

Cheers Raju.

Message was edited by: Manish Kumar