variable and field symbol

[Former Member]

what is the diff bw data variable and field symbols and why we go for field symbol ?

[Dominik_Tylczynski]

Hello mohan31

Field symbol is more or less like a pointer. It references / points to a variable.

More on field symbols and data references:

1. Relation between Data References and Field symbols with examples
2. SAP Help: Field Symbols

Best regards

Dominik Tylczynski

[ArthurParisius]

My understanding of the two is below.

A data variable a fixed piece of memory reserved to contain a value. A field symbol is a reference pointing to a certain piece of reserved memory, so instead of using different parts of memory when you use data variables, you use the same part of memory when using field symbols.

You would go for field symbols to reduce the amount of memory that you reserve in your program.

Just be aware that when you change the value of the piece of memory using a field symbol, that change will be applied to everything that uses that same part of memory.

[Sandra_Rossi]

What don't you understand in the ABAP documentation please?