using structures for running reports instead of database tables

[Former Member]

Hi gurus,

We are developing a report were information relating SD, CS, CATS and CO is showed.

In order to link some of the fields (CO document number (CO_BELNR), Operation notification number (RUECK), Operation notification counter (RMZHL), CATS doc (CATSBLENR)...)

There are serveral structures linking those parameters (AFVGD, AFRUD, CONFCO...) but doesn´t seem to be a database table.

Is there any contraindication in using those structures instead of the database tables to develop the report??

Thanks and best regards,

VL

[former_member183879 · Accepted solution]

Hi Victor,

In report programs, we actually cannot make use of the structures. If y ou can fidn out the tables behind these structures, it is good. If not, you should clearly know what the structure does.The logic used while updating the structure should be updated in your report itself.

However mostly SAP uses structures only in those circumstances, where the values are not actually requierd for business but required only technically to do some internal processing. So if you want to use structures, you really should look little bit into, why you need those data.

[kesavadas_thekkillath]

Hi,

The best way to find the database tables is through transaction ST05.

Go there activate the trace and execute the transaction with required parameters.

Then foto st05 again and deactivate the trace.Then hit display trace.

A list will be displayed. Then go to the first menu and summarize the trace using the required option( tables,sql statements etc) .There you can the see the tables accessed by the transaction. You can go to that tables and check for the required fields.

Note:Structures never store data.

You can also do it this wa. Goto se93 place the transaction, get the program name.Come back to se38 place the program-goto utilities menu-choose environment variables -select database tables check box -then proceed.

[eduardo_hinojosa]

Hi Victor,

Usually, structures are used in ABAP to define internal tables or as objects to 'pass' data to screens (dynpros), forms (Smartforms / SAPscript) or in interfaces for functions modules, methods,... If you want to read data, you need tables. The exception is if you are using function modules to read data from database, for instance function module READ_TEXT, where you read from an structure (LINES structure TLINE) but, if you read the coding, you are doing the select on tables STXH, STXL, STXB and so on, as you can see in report LSTXDTOP.

I hope this helps you

Regards

Eduardo