TYPE v/s LIKE

[Former Member]

Hi,

I have a question on TYPE...

what TYPE offer that LIKE does't ?

can we use LIKE any where where TYPE is used?

Thanks & Regards

Mahesh.

[Former Member]

Hi,

TYPE - Type is used to tell the system what is the type of data object(variable) you want to create .

LIKE: If there is already a data object declared and you want to declare a similar data object you can just refer to the previous data object using like.

Check this thread.

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=711746&messageID=2270752

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=711746&messageID=512214

Thanks,

Shankar

[Former Member]

Hi,

You can data element using type statement..But you cannot use data element in LIKE statement..You cannot use table type created in ddic..

<b>You cannot use</b>

DATA: V_MATNR LIKE MATNR.

DATA: V_TABLETYPE LIKE BSEG_T.

<b>Can be used.</b>

DATA: V_MATNR TYPE MATNR.

DATA: V_TABLETYPE TYPE BSEG_T.

Thanks,

Naren

[Former Member]

Hi Naren,

Thanks for ur reply,

Can U explain at Memory level how these two works? (LIKE and TYPE)

Thanks and Regards

Mahesh.

[former_member188827]

hi

type is used for data types defined in dictionary and like is used to refer to data type of variable already defined in program.

[Former Member]

Hi,

Type refer to data type

like refer to existing variable.

[Former Member]

Hi

DATA - TYPE, LIKE

Syntax

DATA dobj { {TYPE [LINE OF] type}

| {LIKE [LINE OF] dobj} }

[VALUE val|{IS INITIAL}]

[READ-ONLY].

Effect

In the specification of a data type type or a data object dobj, the data type of the variable dobj is already fully defined before the declaration. The syntax and meaning of the additions TYPE and LIKE has exactly the same meaning as the definition of data types with TYPES, except that for DATA after TYPE a standard table type with a generic table key can be specified. In this case, a bound table type with a standard key is created.

Prior to Release 6.10, no VALUE addition was possible if the data type deep, specified using TYPE or LIKE, was a string, a reference type, a table type, or a structured type with deep components. As of Release 6.10, the VALUE addition can also be used for deep data types; however, with the limitation that a start value val can only be specified for the ABAP type string, and otherwise only IS INITIAL.

Example

These statements define two data objects, both of which have the same data type as the database table spfli.

DATA: spfli_wa1 TYPE spfli,

spfli_wa2 LIKE spfli_wa1.

regards

Shiva

[p291102]

Hi,

TYPE - Type is used to tell the system what is the type of data object(variable) you want to create .

LIKE: If there is already a data object declared and you want to declare a similar data object you can just refer to the previous data object using like.

Check this thread.

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=711746&messageID=2270752

https://forums.sdn.sap.com/click.jspa?searchID=711746&messageID=512214

Thanks,

Shankar

[Former Member]

Hi..

TYPE can be used in place of like..

Please see these examples..

DATA : t TYPE kna1-kunnr. " correct

DATA : r LIKE kna1-kunnr. " correct

DATA : l_var TYPE c. " correct

DATA : y_var LIKE c. "error..

DATA : u_var LIKE l_var. " correct

I declred u_var as a LIKE of l_var..I

but l_var is initilly a TYPE of C..

So.. u can use LIKE when u r declaring it against a type data that is already existing..

Hope its clear..

Mark if useful

Rajiv

[Former Member]

HI Mahesh,

You use the TYPE addition in various ABAP statements for defining data types and specifying the types of interface parameters or field symbols.

You use the LIKE addition, similarly to the TYP E addition , in various ABAP statements for defining data types and specifying the types of interface parameters or field symbols

Definition of local program types using

TYPES <t> TYPE <type>.

Definition of local types in a program using

TYPES <t> LIKE <obj>.

Regards

Sudheer

[Former Member]

HI Mahesh ,

DATA dobj { {TYPE [LINE OF] type}

| {LIKE [LINE OF] dobj} }

In the specification of a data type type or a data object dobj, the data type of the variable dobj is already fully defined before the declaration. The syntax and meaning of the additions TYPE and LIKE has exactly the same meaning as the definition of data types with TYPES, except that for DATA after TYPE a standard table type with a generic table key can be specified. In this case, a bound table type with a standard key is created.

Prior to Release 6.10, no VALUE addition was possible if the data type deep, specified using TYPE or LIKE, was a string, a reference type, a table type, or a structured type with deep components. As of Release 6.10, the VALUE addition can also be used for deep data types; however, with the limitation that a start value val can only be specified for the ABAP type string, and otherwise only IS INITIAL.

I hope this solcves ur problem

Note: rewrad if useful

[Former Member]

Hi,

Type is Abstract description of an object. Either a data type for a data object or an object type for an object inABAP Objects. The corresponding generic data type is any. Wont occupy any memory at the time declaration.

But Like refers to the existing data object. Occupy memory according to the referred data object.

Regards,

U. Uma

[Former Member]

Hi Uma,

Thanks for Ur reply.

Is memory of a variable declared with LIKE changes according to the change made to the refering one?

Thanks and Regards

Mahesh.

[Former Member]

Hi mahesh,

1.Is memory of a variable declared with LIKE changes according to the change made to the refering one

Absolutely NO.

2. LIKE only specifies information for data type, length etc.

3. The memory of that variable is its own memory, and is independent

of other variables/memory.

regards,

amit m.

[Former Member]

Thnaks Amit,

[Former Member]

Thanks all ...

Thanks for your valuble suggestion..

Thanks and Regards

Mahesh.