topic Re: variable and field symbol in Application Development and Automation Discussions

variable and field symbol

Former Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:53:21 GMT

what is the diff bw data variable and field symbols and why we go for field symbol ?

Re: variable and field symbol

Dominik_Tylczynski — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:28:21 GMT

Hello mohan31

Field symbol is more or less like a pointer. It references / points to a variable.

More on field symbols and data references:

Best regards

Dominik Tylczynski

Re: variable and field symbol

ArthurParisius — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:31:58 GMT

My understanding of the two is below.

A data variable a fixed piece of memory reserved to contain a value. A field symbol is a reference pointing to a certain piece of reserved memory, so instead of using different parts of memory when you use data variables, you use the same part of memory when using field symbols.

You would go for field symbols to reduce the amount of memory that you reserve in your program.

Just be aware that when you change the value of the piece of memory using a field symbol, that change will be applied to everything that uses that same part of memory.

Re: variable and field symbol

Sandra_Rossi — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 07:34:56 GMT

What don't you understand in the ABAP documentation please?