HI
GOOD
IDocs:
IDocs (Intermediate Documents) are the crux of ALE. These are the documents with the help of which data is exchanged between SAP R/3 and non-R/3 systems. As the name suggests, these documents act as intermediate storage of information, which can be sent bi-directionally. Message types are responsible for creation of Idocs.
IDocs Components
Data on Internet is exchanged using data formats like IPV6 – and SAP uses a similar approach. Idocs are a well-structured medium through which data transfer takes place. Figure 3 explains the structure of Idocs.
An IDoc is made up of the following parts:
Control Record: This section contains control information regarding the Idoc. Its constituents are Sender’s name, Receiver name, Message type and Idoc type (illustrated in figure 3). The format of the control record is similar for all IDoc types.
Data Segment: It consists of a header that contains the identity of the Idoc. Its constituents include, a sequential segment number, a segment type description and field containing the actual data of the segment.
Status records: The status record shows the information regarding the already processed stages and remaining processing stages of the Idoc. It has an identical format for each IDoc type.
Idocs Structure:
Idocs support a hierarchical structure. Figure 4 shows an Idoc, starting with the header. The header has items, which in turn have sub-items. The lowest level in the hierarchy contains the text. The end of the Idoc is represented with the help of ACCUM (means accumulate) segment. Remember that an IDoc can only contain character fields.
GO THROUGH THE FOLLOWING LINKS
http://www.thespot4sap.com/Articles/SAP_ALE_Other_Concepts_Conclusion.asp
http://www.supinfo-projects.com/cn/2005/idocs%5Fen/1/
THANKS
MRUTYUN
Bluesky
