Very Imp:Basic difference between infotype table & DB table.Points assured.

[Former Member]

hi all

What is the basic difference between a table associated with an infotype eg PA2001 and any other database table eg. mara.

points assured.

thanks

[Former Member]

hi , check these two ..

1. An Infotype is just another way to handle/store data.

HR Data is huge and time dependent . The history of

the employee is maintained .

To enable logical storage of data and to facilitate easy

and faster data entry /retrieval , concept of Infotype

Came into existence .

1. Why SAP introduced Infotypes

Bcos : to divide lot of master data related to

an employee into groups called as INFOTYPE

dividing in such group makes it logically

distributed so that authorisation rights

can be distributed accordingly. (which practically

happens in most companies where HR is not centralised)

2.why SAP HR module using infotypes mostly

BCos : All its data (master data related to emplyee)

is found in infotypes only. (all kind of master data

is put in some or other infotype )

3 Any drawbacks using transparent tables

SAP suggests that to read infotype information,

use their STANDARD function modules only.

BCOS :

a. it will be fast

b. those FMs will automatically check authorisations

c. any change in these FM's by SAP, will automatically

effect Z Programs (if perfomance, data etc is improved)

4. Ht diff. bw Infotypes n transparent tables

Infotype is the FUNCTIONAL WORD

Table is the TECHNICAL WORD

Infotype means logical set of information.

Table means actual physical database table.

Each infotype has a corresponding transparent table.

2.

Info Types:

Definition

Allow you to enter and store object characteristics that are thematically linked.

Use

You use infotypes to define additional object attributes or characteristics. You edit infotypes in Detail Maintenance. You can create, change, display, delete and delimit infotypes.

Each infotype enables you to define particular characteristics for an object. In the Relationships infotype, you can, for example, define how two objects are related to one another. In the Work Schedule infotype, you can define working time for a position, organizational unit or a work center.

Some infotypes are only relevant for certain object types. The Vacancy infotype is, for example, only relevant for positions and the Character infotype only for tasks. Some infotypes can be edited for all object types, the Object and Relationships infotypes, for example.

Structure

Each time you create an infotype for an object, you create an infotype record. Once you have created infotype records, you can change, display, list, copy, delimit or delete them.

You can create any number of infotypes for an object. You can also create several infotype records for the same infotype for an object. An object can, for example, have several relationship infotype records that define the object’s links with other objects in the organizational structure.

The data in an information type can be divided into various other information categories. These categories are called subtypes. In the Health Examinations infotype, for example, you can define two categories or subtypes of health information for a work center.

Database Tables:

There are 3 types of database tables in SAP.

1. Transparent Table:

Exists with the same structure both in dictionary as well as in database exactly with the same data and fields.

2. Pooled Table:

Pooled tables are logical tables that must be assigned to a table pool when they are defined. Pooled tables are used to store control data. Several pooled tables can be cominied in a table pool. The data of these pooled tables are then sorted in a common table in the database.

3. Cluster Table:

Cluster tables are logical tables that must be assigned to a table cluster when they are defined. Cluster tables can be used to strore control data. They can also be used to store temporary data or texts, such as documentation.

regards,

venkat.

[JozsefSzikszai]

hi,

technically I think there not much difference, both are transparent tables. Infotypes are only used in HR, to differenciate types of data in the module. You can also set up your own infotypes easily, setting up own master data for materials is probably a bit more difficult.

hope this helps

ec

[Former Member]

Hi,

1. Infotype table (PA0001) and normal DB table (MARA) , there is no difference. Both are same.

2. Infotype concepts exsists for HR module and for all other Logistics module we use normal tables.

3. infotypes :

Infotypes are used in Personnel Administration and Recruitment. An infotype is a group of object-based pieces of information on a particular area. The data stored in an infotype is always based on the personnel number of an employee or the applicant number of an applicant. In other words, an infotype record is always assigned to exactly one employee or applicant.

A four digit number nnnn is assigned to each infotype. This number uniquely identifies an infotype. The number range 9000 to 9999 is reserved for customer infotypes.

Transaction PM01 Enhance Infotypes enables you to create and edit infotypes.

When u create an infotype, it willl automatically create

-- strucuture

-- table

-- screen

-- module pool.

reply back..

With Rgds,

S.Barani

[Former Member]

There is no difference between DB table and an Infotype

(except for the naming convention)

Infotypes start with PA0000 .. PA0999

HRP1000 .. HRP1999 ..

PA2000 ... PA8999 ...

PA9000 .. PA9999 are custom infotypes (needs to be created)

In HR tables are generally called as Infotypes

(Information types) .. Information related to a persons are

grouped together and are stored in infotypes...

[Former Member]

hi

in an infotype we can maintain history of the related data where as data we cant do it

we can also fetch data from strucuture of infotype but its not possible in case of tables

Regards sravani

[Former Member]

hi sravani

thanks for your reply. Could you please explain it in more technical details eg sth like fields a b c are always there in infotype tables but not in other database tables.

thanks

[Former Member]

Hi PSK,

I forgot to mention the only point which you raised here, for all the Infotype tables the key fields remain same. like PERNR, SUBTYP, SEQNR, BEGDA & ENDDA.

But that doesnt make it different from other tables. Its just a feature of data storage to store HR records in to database tables.

I have a feel that I read it somewhere, at database level the way these infotype table data is stored is different from the way normal table data is stored. For the fast access of HR data. Please do some research on the documentation on data storage of HR infotype tables and you will find it.

Regards,

Mayank

[Former Member]

Hi,

I dont see any difference as far as storage of data is concerned in the form of transparent tables.

It is same as any other table. You have to just apply the logic of date interval (Validity Period)to fetch the right data from infotype tables apart from the key fields.

You can try yourself in SE11 or SE16 taking an infotype table and any other table to compare both.

Regards,

Mayank