IDOC Type

[Former Member]

Whats the Exact Difference between an IDOC Type and a Message type?

Would some one clarify me with a simple example please?

Thanks

[Former Member]

Hi Pete,

Idoc Type contains many Data Structures and has got all the information about the IDOC whereas a message type is one which tells what type of an IDOC is that(ex:a materail master one if it is matmas and etc)..

Reward if useful.

Thanks

Aneesh.

[Former Member]

Aneesh, if I have understood correctly then

An IDOC type is a Data Structure, which in turn contains Many related data structures like Purchase Orders, Invoices, Purchase Order changes etc . The Message type fields tells us out of the listed data structures what data structure we have selected currently. Am I correct?

IDOC Type Matmas

Control Record

Sender Port

Receiver Port

Message Type

Data Record

Purchase orders Segment

Invoices segment

PO Changes segment

XXX segment

Status Record

-

---

So from the above Matmas data structure if I am going to use the Purchase Orders then my Matmas structure will be

Control Record

Message Type = Purchase Orders segment

Data Record

Purchase Orders Segment

Status record

Am I correct? I dont have an SAP access, can I see the MATMAS data structure in web?

THANKS.

[Clemenss]

Hi pete,

The Basis type defines the segment and field structure of the IDoc. The Message type is an organizational unit. It is necessary for the slightly complex way SAP does things. Some people say this is done just to confuse potential spies.

Here's just one example

<a href="http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005vp/helpdata/en/2a/bfe43741fcc372e10000009b38f842/content.htm">Distributing Bill of Material Data in ALE Standard Process</a>

and just for completeness you have a process code on top...

Regards,

Clemens