topic Re: data elements vs. data types in Application Development and Automation Discussions

data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 15:50:14 GMT

Hi,

I've created a table using SE11, but when I try to display using SE16, it states the table is not active in the dictionary. What does this mean and how do you activate the table?

Also, what is the difference between a data element and a data type? I can understand designating a type (c, p, f, etc.) to a field in a table, but I do not understand what a data element is. My ABAP book gives no explanation either.

thanks.

Kevin

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:02:10 GMT

Hi,

The main difference between data type & data element is.You can set the Field Label at the data element level for the field properties,if you are using the same field for many tables.If you define a field with a data type,then you can give any Label for each time you use the field.

Regarding the Activating of the table.You should give the technical settings of the created table.Click the button techinical setting & give the 'Data class' ,'Size category'.Then activate the table.

Re: data elements vs. data types

RichHeilman — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:02:56 GMT

Means that the table is not activated, go to SE11, enter the name of your table and choose Dictionary Object-->Activate.

Data types are predefined types supplied by the ABAP runtime. Data elements are created for custom data types.

Regards,

Rich Heilman

Re: data elements vs. data types

FredericGirod — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:06:24 GMT

Hi Kevin,

Data element is something describe in the dictionnary. The data element refers to a domain. A domain is describe by a type. (if you lost me, restart at the begining ).

For your SE16 problem, you must go to the SE11, and activate your table (press F3).

The data type could be use also in abap, you could for example describe a field like that :

data : w_matnr type matn1.

data : w_matnr like mara-matnr

types : t_matnr type matn1. (I don't want to redefine all)

data : w_matnr type t_matnr.

in the first case I use the data element that refers to a domain.

in the second, I use the field of a table, that refers to a data element, that refers to a domain.

in the third, I create a local type, refers to a global type.

If you didn't understand well, go to se11, and double-click on a field. You will see the data element, double click on the data element, you will see the domain.

Rgd

Frédéric

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:07:18 GMT

In SE11, there is a button for activating your table, it is right next to the "check" icon in the application toolbar. Or in the menu, 'Dictionary Object-->Activate' should do the trick.

Here is the documentation for "Data Element" and also the "Data Dictionary".

Data Element

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/90/8d72feb1af11d194f600a0c929b3c3/frameset.htm

Data Dictionary

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/4f/991f82446d11d189700000e8322d00/frameset.htm

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 16:23:43 GMT

Hi Kevin,

Check whether all the domains & data elements are activated correctly or not in your custom table.

Suppose if you want to create a custom data element choose data type and type Z* ,then select dataelement.

If you satisfy with the answers pls. close it by giving some points.

Regards

KER

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 20:10:47 GMT

Hi Kevin,

I agree with all, apart of that let me elobrate this topic.

In general when creating a field in a table first we have to define a DataElement and then Domain (Vice Versa), it means that Data Element is for defining a meaningful name for a field. We can can define a field without a DataElement, but domain[DataType] is manditory.

Imagine that in real time if you are defining a field without a DataElement(Name of that field) the end user won't understand why it is meant for.

You declare DataType to represent the type of that field [example c,p,i.. and length]

Make sure to activate all i.e domain & dataelemtnts before activating the table. Without activating a table you cannot enter the values in that.

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 06:29:19 GMT

The diff between Dataelement and datatype is

In Dataelement u can define the field Properties like field length, Field Description that is specific to the field.

In Datatype u cannot declare the field descrioption.u can use the predefined field characteristics.Also u can give some default values using data statement.

if the table is not in SE11,it is not yet activated.So activate the table using F3 and check whether it has any errors.

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 06:30:04 GMT

Hi Kevin

Try This Link

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/73/f938361329ec5ae10000009b38f889/frameset.htm

Data type: A data type is simply the type of a particular variable..Like p,c etc.

Data Element: data element is where u define data type, lenght decimal places and field label:- which is shown under short text column in SE11 i.e. description for ur table's Field.

How to create a data Element:

Example Table

Field | Key | Initial | Data-Element | Short Text

Mandt | . | . | Mandt | Clent

UserID | . | . | zuserrid | User ID

UName | _ | _ | zuname | User Name

Here:

DOt <.> :- Used for checked entry

Dash <_> :- Used for Unchecked entry

Consider each and every field under the title Respectively

Now U have to dobule-click on zuserid

1. It will ask for Data Element

2. Give Short Description

3.On the Data Type Tab

.......A. Click the Predefined Type radio Button

.......B. Fill in the data type, lenght and No. of decimal Places

.......C. press ctrl + f2 to check for any inconsistencies

.......D. Press ctrl + f3 to activate this data element

.......E. it will ask for field Label

...............<1...Give Short Description

...............<2...Fill in Length and Label for ur's Table Field Label

Click on BAck button to come to Se11 again.

press ctrl + f2 to check for any inconsistencies

Press ctrl + f3 to activate this Table.

The Term Activate Is used to make the changes occur.

i.e. if u only save it it is not going to work.

So every time u have to Activate a table whwnever u make some changes.

Hope this will help U.

If still not clear u can ask me.

Plz Give some ponits if u find it satisfactory.

Re: data elements vs. data types

Former Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 06:38:13 GMT

Data Elememt : specifies Field Label, f4 Help for the field etc. i.e It determines the semantic characteristics of a field

Data Type : Specifies the type of value a field can hold, i.e It decides whether the field can hold a number or character etc

Regards,

Usha

Re: data elements vs. data types

abdul_hakim — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 06:43:08 GMT

Go to SE11 and activate your table.

Well,data type defines the technical attributes of the corresponding field for e.g. character/numeric etc.

Dataelement defines the semantic characteristic of the field such as short text,header and other info.Domain defines the technical characteristics of the data element such as character/numeric etc.In DDIC context the dataelement is assigned to the field and the domain is assigned to the dataelement..

Regards,

Abdul

Message was edited by: Abdul Hakim