Change data element in ZTable

[Former Member]

Hi expert,

I wanna know what problems could be in case of changing the data element of a custom table?

I mean, there is a ZTable full and used by different programs. I have to change data element of two field, in particular now these fields have a standard data element and I wanna change with custom one.

The questions are:

Could I lose data?

Could I have problems with existing programs during run?

Thanks a lot.

Please it is very important, help me.

Michele Garofalo

[Former Member]

well if ur data type of the data elements change then thr cud be possibility of ur prvious program start to give short dumps

[Former Member]

Hi ,

If the standard data element and Z data element domain are same or same data type and size then no problems .

But if different then lots of problem as it would have dependencies with other tables and Reprots ,Interface enhancement ,forms whereever its is used.

Also the Field label and if that standard has a search help too .then it would change in custom .

[Former Member]

Hi,

u can change it.

but if u have used that data element in program it will affect.

after changing the data element go to menu UTILITY.........> DATABASE UTILITY----

---

>ACITIVATE DATA BASE

Best Regards,

Flavya

[JozsefSzikszai]

you are right, both can happen:

-data loss (if the length is smaller than previously, or number of decimals is less)

-inconsistensies in the programs, which use this table (or only the field of this table)

[Former Member]

Hi,

If you make changes in data element then this change will affect all the table fields that refer to the particular domain. Foreign keys could become inconsistent and conversions required. So generally it is advised to change the data element only when it does not put impact on other tables.

Thanks

[Former Member]

Hi

It depends on the type and size of data, so it depends on the domain of the new data element.

If the domain has a different data type u could some problem, but the system can usually generate the table again. If it can't, u can generate the table by DATABASE UTILITY tool manually.

So the risk of losing data is very low.

[Former Member]

Hi,

You can change the dataelements as long as the domain ( Technical properties are same means the DATA type and length are same).

if you increase the length there will not be any problem but if you decrease the length there is the problem of loosing the data definitely( so decreasing the length is never suggested as it is risk of loosing the data )

you can go from type I to type P BUT reverse is not true ( as you loose the decimals )

after increasing the length go to Tcode SE14 activate and adjust the table by selecting the SAVE radio button to adjust the table for you

Regards

Ramchander Rao.K

[Former Member]

Hi Michele,

As you told that you want to change your data element , so it means that you want to change its data types or length then in this case you will face a lot of errors .And if you want only to change data element name and rest every things are same then there will be no problem.

Regards,

Anand