what is data dictionary?

[Former Member]

what is data dictionary?

thank u.

[Former Member]

http://help.sap.com

[amit_khare]

Hi,

If you do some search in the forum then you can save your time and SDN from getting SPAM with your repeated queries.

Regards,

Amit

[Former Member]

Data definitions (metadata) are created and managed in the ABAP Dictionary. The ABAP Dictionary permits a central description of all the data used in the system without redundancies. New or modified information is automatically provided for all the system components. This ensures data integrity, data consistency and data security.

You can create the corresponding objects (tables or views) in the underlying relational database using these data definitions. The ABAP Dictionary therefore describes the logical structure of the objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying relational database in tables or views.

The ABAP Dictionary also provides standard functions for editing fields on the screen, for example for assigning a screen field an input help.

What Information is Stored in the ABAP Dictionary?

The most important object types in the ABAP Dictionary are tables, views, types, domains, search helps and lock objects.

Tables are defined in the ABAP Dictionary independently of the database. A table having the same structure is then created from this table definition in the underlying database.

Views are logical views on more than one table. The structure of the view is defined in the ABAP Dictionary. A view on the database can then be created from this structure.

Types are used in ABAP programs. The structure of a type can be defined globally in ABAP programs. Changes to a type automatically take effect in all the programs using the type.

Lock objects are used to synchronize access to the same data by more than one user. Function modules that can be used in application programs are generated from the definition of a lock object in the ABAP Dictionary.

Different fields having the same technical type can be combined in domains. A domain defines the value range of all table fields and structure components that refer to this domain.

The ABAP Dictionary also contains the information displayed with the F1 and F4 help for a field in an input template. The documentation about the field is created for a data element that describes the meaning of the contents of a table field. The list of possible input values that appears for the input help is created by a foreign key or a search help.

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_webas610/helpdata/en/cf/21ea31446011d189700000e8322d00/content.htm

reward point if helpful.

[Former Member]

Data base related operation are done at the data dictionary. that means views, type groups, data types, domain, search help and lock objects

[Former Member]

Data dictionary describes the logical structures of the objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying relational database in tables/views.

Data dictionary holds the data definations or metadata. Ex: table defination, type defination etc.

Check this link for more details.

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/cf/21ea31446011d189700000e8322d00/content.htm

[Former Member]

Data definitions (metadata) are created and managed in the ABAP Dictionary. The ABAP Dictionary permits a central description of all the data used in the system without redundancies. New or modified information is automatically provided for all the system components. This ensures data integrity, data consistency and data security.

You can create the corresponding objects (tables or views) in the underlying relational database using these data definitions. The ABAP Dictionary therefore describes the logical structure of the objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying relational database in tables or views.

The ABAP Dictionary also provides standard functions for editing fields on the screen, for example for assigning a screen field an input help.

What Information is Stored in the ABAP Dictionary?

The most important object types in the ABAP Dictionary are tables, views, types, domains, search helps and lock objects.

Tables are defined in the ABAP Dictionary independently of the database. A table having the same structure is then created from this table definition in the underlying database.

Views are logical views on more than one table. The structure of the view is defined in the ABAP Dictionary. A view on the database can then be created from this structure.

Types are used in ABAP programs. The structure of a type can be defined globally in ABAP programs. Changes to a type automatically take effect in all the programs using the type.

Lock objects are used to synchronize access to the same data by more than one user. Function modules that can be used in application programs are generated from the definition of a lock object in the ABAP Dictionary.

Different fields having the same technical type can be combined in domains. A domain defines the value range of all table fields and structure components that refer to this domain.

[Former Member]

The ABAP Dictionary centrally describes and manages all the data definitions used in the

system. The ABAP Dictionary is completely integrated in the ABAP Development Workbench. All

the other components of the Workbench can actively access the definitions stored in the ABAP

Dictionary.

The ABAP Dictionary supports the definition of user-defined types (data elements, structures and

table types). You can also define the structure of database objects (tables, indexes and views) in

the ABAP Dictionary. These objects can then be automatically created in the database with this

definition. The ABAP Dictionary also provides tools for editing screen fields, for example for

assigning a field an input help (F4 help).

Database objects

Table

DB table

Tools

Screen

Poss. values

F4

Type definitions

Structure

Table type

Data element

The most important object types in the ABAP Dictionary are tables, views, types (data elements,

structures, table types), domains, search helps and lock objects.

BC - ABAP Dictionary SAP AG

ABAP Dictionary

10 December 1999

ABAP Dictionary

Purpose

Data definitions (metadata) are created and managed in the ABAP Dictionary. The ABAP

Dictionary permits a central description of all the data used in the system without redundancies.

New or modified information is automatically provided for all the system components. This

ensures data integrity, data consistency and data security.

You can create the corresponding objects (tables or views) in the underlying relational database

using these data definitions. The ABAP Dictionary therefore describes the logical structure of the

objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying

relational database in tables or views.

The ABAP Dictionary also provides standard functions for editing fields on the screen, for

example for assigning a screen field an input help.

What Information is Stored in the ABAP Dictionary?

The most important object types in the ABAP Dictionary are tables, views, types, domains,

search helps and lock objects.

Tables are defined in the ABAP Dictionary independently of the database. A table

having the same structure is then created from this table definition in the underlying database.

Views are logical views on more than one table. The structure of the view is defined in

the ABAP Dictionary. A view on the database can then be created from this structure.

Types are used in ABAP program. The structure of a type can be defined globally in

ABAP programs. Changes to a type automatically take effect in all the programs using the type.

Lock objects are used to synchronize access to the same data by more than one

user. Function modules that can be used in application programs are generated from the

definition of a lock object in the ABAP Dictionary.

Different fields having the same technical type can be combined in domains . A

domain defines the value range of all table fields and structure components that refer to this

domain.

The ABAP Dictionary also contains the information displayed with the F1 and F4 help for a field

in an input template. The documentation about the field is created for a data element

that describes the meaning of the contents of a table field. The list of possible input values that

appears for the input help is created by a foreign key or a search help .

Integration in the ABAP Development Workbench

The ABAP Dictionary is completely integrated in the ABAP Development Workbench. The R/3

System works interpretatively, permitting the ABAP Dictionary to be actively integrated in the

development environment. Instead of the original objects, the interpreters see only internal

representations of these objects.

These internal representations are adjusted automatically when the system finds that changes

have been made in the ABAP Dictionary. This ensures that the screen and ABAP interpreters,

input help, database interface, and development tools always access current data.

SAP AG BC - ABAP Dictionary

ABAP Dictionary

December 1999 11

The following ABAP program lists the airline carriers (see Flight model )

and carrier IDs contained in table SCARR.

DATA: SCARR_TAB TYPE SCARR.

SELECT * INTO SCARR_TAB FROM SCARR.

WRITE: / SCARR_TAB-CARRID, SCARR_TAB-CARRNAME.

ENDSELECT.

Only structure SCARR_TAB is declared in the program. All the information about this

structure, such as the field names, data types and field lengths, are copied from table

SCARR, which is defined in the ABAP Dictionary. This information about table

SCARR is called from the ABAP Dictionary when the program is generated.

This means that the source text of the program need not be adjusted when a change

is made to table SCARR, for example when the length of a table field is changed.

The next time the program is called, the system automatically determines that the

structure of table SCARR has changed. The program is simply regenerated, thereby

retrieving up-to-date information about table SCARR from the ABAP Dictionary.

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R Ruunnttimimee e ennvviriroonnmmeenntt o off t thhee a apppplilcicaattioionn

ABAP

Interpreter

Dialog

Control Interfaces Screen

Interpreter

ABAP

Tools

Data

Modeler

Screen

Painter

ABAP

Dictionary

When you work on development projects, objects of the ABAP Dictionary can be changed any

number of times before being activated and made available to the operative

components of the system. Objects can have both an active and an inactive version in the ABAP

Dictionary at the same time.

Inactive ABAP Dictionary objects have no effect on the runtime system (ABAP processor,

database interface). This permits greater changes to several objects without impairing the

BC - ABAP Dictionary SAP AG

ABAP Dictionary

12 December 1999

executability of the system. The objects can only be activated together when they have all been

changed.

SAP AG BC - ABAP Dictionary

Tables

December 1999 13

Tables

Tables can be defined independently of the database in the ABAP Dictionary. The fields of the

table are defined with their (database-independent) data types and lengths.

When the table is activated, a physical table definition is created in the database for the table

definition stored in the ABAP Dictionary. The table definition is translated from the ABAP

Dictionary to a definition of the particular database.

Activation

program and

DB UTILITY

T1 T2 T3 ... Tn

T1

T2

T3

Tn

DB

Database-independent Definition of the

Tables in the ABAP Dictionary

Definition of the tables

in the database

A table definition in the ABAP Dictionary contains the following components:

• Table fields define the field names and data types of the fields contained in the

table

• Foreign keys define the relationships between the table and other tables.

• Technical settings control how the table should be created in the database.

• Indexes : To speed up data selection, secondary indexes can be created for

the table

If want more information regarding the link

follow the link

http://www.esnips.com/doc/25b22601-4172-462a-ac82-f6f68bcac85b/SAP-ABAP-Dictionary

DO REWARD IF USEFUL!

[prasanth_kasturi]

Its a utility where u create and maintain(update delete etc) data objects...

[Former Member]

Data dictionary is a central workbench repository utility providing data definitions and information that are later used in all business applications.

The main functionality of data dictionary is to add,delete , modify and manage data definitions and preserves data integrity and data consistency and reduces data redundancy.

In a data management system the principle functions performed by a data dictionary are

1.Management of data definitions.

2.Provision of information for evaluation.

3.Support for software development.

4.Support for documentation.

5.Ensuring that data definitions are flexible and upto date.

[Former Member]

Hi,

DDIC is the definition of Data base....

[Former Member]

Hi,

Data Dictionary is a central source of data in a data management system. Its main function is to support the creation and management of data definitions. It has details about

· what data is contained?

· What are the attributes of the data?

· What is the relationship existing between the various data elements?

Functions of Data Dictionary:

In a data management system, the principal functions performed by the data dictionary are

· Management of data definitions.

· Provision of information for evaluation.

· Support for s/w development.

· Support form documentation.

· Ensuring that the data definitions are flexible and up-to-date.

The most important features are:

· Integrated to aABAP/4 Development Workbench.

· Active in the runtime environment.

Basic objects of the data dictionary

· Tables

· Domains

· Data elements

· Structures

· Foreign Keys

Aggregate objects in the data dictionary

· Views

· Match codes

· Lock objects.

Regards,

kavitha.

[Former Member]

hii

Data dictionary:

Definition

A data dictionary is a central source of information for the data in a data management system. Its main function is to support the creation and management of data definitions (or "metadata”)

Functions

Management of data definitions

Provision of information for evaluations

Support for software development

Support for documentation

Ensuring that data definitions are flexible and up-to-date

regards

Archana

[former_member259275]

can anyone tell me data dicionary objects r client dependent or independent?

[Former Member]

Data Dictionary Objects are Client Independent but the Data present in them is Client Dependent.

Reward if helpful.

Iyswarya

[Former Member]

hi,

Description of data and definitions. Data dictionary describes the logical structures of the objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying relational database in tables/views..

Edited by: Rajyalakshmi Attili on Mar 25, 2008 2:08 PM

[Former Member]

Hi

Data Dictionary is centralised storage location for storing the information about the data that is stored in database.

The infortmation about the data that is stored in database is called metedata.

Hence Data dictinary defines the:

1. what data stored in DB

1. Attributes of data : type and Length , format

and

2. Relationships between data.

Data dictionary ensures :

1. No data reduncency

2. consistency of the data with in the database system by enforcing data Integrity..

It provides the logical level for the checking the consistency of data.

1. logical : Ex . Months can be only from 1-12 ot can not be 13.

2. complete : An order asigned to a customer which does not exist .

3. consistent : an order not asigned to any customer