topic Re: Difference between Type & Like in Application Development and Automation Discussions

Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:45:27 GMT

Hi...can any one tell whats the exact difference between Type and Like???? Thanks n advance...

Re: Difference between Type & Like

anversha_s — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:46:30 GMT

hi,

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw2004s/helpdata/en/fc/eb2ff3358411d1829f0000e829fbfe/frameset.htm

For TYPE

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/d3/2e974d35c511d1829f0000e829fbfe/frameset.htm

For LIKE

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/d3/2e974d35c511d1829f0000e829fbfe/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw2004s/helpdata/en/fc/eb367a358411d1829f0000e829fbfe/content.htm

LIKE means the datatype of the variable is similar to the referenced variable.

TYPE means it is a predefined data type.

Eg:

DATA int TYPE i.

Here int is of integer data type.

DATA var LIKE int.

var IS a variable having same data type of int. which in turn is integer.

You can find these helpful when you reference database table variables... You need not know what is the datatype defined.

Also it adds to FLEXIBILITY.

Whenever you make changes to your database tables and fields,

that change is REFLECTED back to your program that is,

You need not change all your program code when you change your table fields...

Regards

Anver

Re: Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:48:12 GMT

For all practical purposes there are the same. The only additional advantage with types is that you can define your own types(including complex ones) in the data dictionary and reuse them accross various programs.

But within a program if two variables are defined one using LIKE and another using TYPE, both referring to the same field, then there is no difference.

If I include a type pool within a program, then I can define my variables only using TYPE to refer to any type defined in that pool. I cannot use LIKE in this scenario. Also, if I want to use native types like C, N, etc, I cannot use LIKE there either. I can use LIKE ABC only if ABC is in the database or if ABC is defined previously in the same program.

I can use TYPE ABC, if ABC is defined in database as a TYPE and included in the program with the statement TYPE-POOLS. I can use it, if it is the native types. I can use it, if it is already defined in the dictionary as a structure/table or structure/table field, or even if it is defined as a data element or a domain. So I can declare a variable V_BUKRS TYPE BUKRS, but I cannot define a variable V_BUKRS LIKE BUKRS.

But if I intend to use V_BUKRS to store company code, I will prefer to declare it as V_BUKRS LIKE T001-BUKRS, only because if tomorrow for some reason, the definition of T001-BUKRS changes to a data element for example, BUKRS_N(say DEC 4) instead of the data element BUKRS(CHAR 4) that it refers to now, I don't have to change my programs because I am referring to the table field and inhereting its properties. Whereas, had I declared my V_BUKRS TYPE BUKRS and the table now changed to BUKRS_N, I will be forced to change my program as there will be a type incompatability.

2. try this code (just copy paste)

report abc.

types : char50(50) type c.

*----

type.

data : d1 type c, "--- native

d2 type n, "--- native

d25 type char50 , "----

User defined data type

d3 type bukrs, "---- data element / domain

d4 type persno, "---- data element / domain

d5 type t001, "---- table

d99 type c

data :

*l1 like c "----

Not Allowed

*l2 like n "----

Not Allowed

*l25 like char50 , "----

User defined data type

*l3 like bukrs "----

Not Allowed

*l4 like persno, "----

Not Allowed

l5 like t001 , "---- table

l99 like pa0001

I hope it helps.

regards,

amit

Re: Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:48:30 GMT

Hi,

SO many have asked this question. Please chk the SDN first before raising your qtn.

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=926483&messageID=655322

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=926483&messageID=2270752

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=926483&messageID=512214

Just a few.

Regards

Subramanian

Re: Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:51:46 GMT

k thanks for the help...ve jus one more doubt what if i suppose create an internal table with like or type???

Re: Difference between Type & Like

anversha_s — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:53:24 GMT

hi,

chk this u will get better idea.

* Table declaration (old method)
DATA: BEGIN OF tab_ekpo OCCURS 0,             "itab with header line
  ebeln TYPE ekpo-ebeln,
  ebelp TYPE ekpo-ebelp,
 END OF tab_ekpo.

*Table declaration (new method)     "USE THIS WAY!!!
TYPES: BEGIN OF t_ekpo,
  ebeln TYPE ekpo-ebeln,
  ebelp TYPE ekpo-ebelp,
 END OF t_ekpo.
DATA: it_ekpo TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF t_ekpo INITIAL SIZE 0,      "itab
      wa_ekpo TYPE t_ekpo.                    "work area (header line)

* Build internal table and work area from existing internal table
DATA: it_datatab LIKE tab_ekpo OCCURS 0,      "old method
      wa_datatab LIKE LINE OF tab_ekpo.

Rgds

Anver

Re: Difference between Type & Like

anversha_s — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:53:40 GMT

hi,

chk this u will get better idea.

* Table declaration (old method)
DATA: BEGIN OF tab_ekpo OCCURS 0,             "itab with header line
  ebeln TYPE ekpo-ebeln,
  ebelp TYPE ekpo-ebelp,
 END OF tab_ekpo.

*Table declaration (new method)     "USE THIS WAY!!!
TYPES: BEGIN OF t_ekpo,
  ebeln TYPE ekpo-ebeln,
  ebelp TYPE ekpo-ebelp,
 END OF t_ekpo.
DATA: it_ekpo TYPE STANDARD TABLE OF t_ekpo INITIAL SIZE 0,      "itab
      wa_ekpo TYPE t_ekpo.                    "work area (header line)

* Build internal table and work area from existing internal table
DATA: it_datatab LIKE tab_ekpo OCCURS 0,      "old method
      wa_datatab LIKE LINE OF tab_ekpo.

Rgds

Anver

Re: Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:16:46 GMT

Hi,

Rgds,

Prakash

Re: Difference between Type & Like

Former Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 06:31:26 GMT

thanks for the effort .....