what are different types of tables?

[Former Member]

hi,

this is i have faced an interview question.plz give answer.

regards,

balaram.

[Former Member]

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[Former Member]

Hi,

1. Transparent tables

2. Pooled tables

3. Cluster tables

reward points if solution helps.

regards,

Allabaqsh G. Patil

[Former Member]

Dear balaram reddy,

The Different Types of SAP Tables

What is transparent, cluster and pool table? Where and when we use these tables?

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

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.

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.

Could anyone tell me what is the major difference between Standard tables, Pooled tables and Clusterd Tables?

A transparent table is a table that stores data directly. You can read these tables directly on the database from outside SAP with for instance an SQL statement.

Transparent table is a one to one relation table i.e. when you create one transparent table then exactly same table will create in data base and if is basically used to store transaction data.

A clustered and a pooled table cannot be read from outside SAP because certain data are clustered and pooled in one field.

One of the possible reasons is for instance that their content can be variable in length and build up. Database manipulations in Abap are limited as well.

But pool and cluster table is a many to one relationship table. This means many pool table store in a database table which is know as table pool.

All the pool table stored table in table pool does not need to have any foreign key relationship but in the case of cluster table it is must. And pool and cluster table is basically use to store application data.

Table pool can contain 10 to 1000 small pool table which has 10 to 100 records. But cluster table can contain very big but few (1 to 10) cluster table.

For pool and cluster table you can create secondary index and you can use select distinct, group for pool and cluster table. You can use native SQL statement for pool and cluster table.

A structure is a table without data. It is only filled by program logic at the moment it is needed starting from tables.

A view is a way of looking at the contents of tables. It only contains the combination of the tables at the basis and the way the data needs to be represented. You actually call directly upon the underlying tables.

A small search on SDN SD forum will help you to answer your query.

I will suggest you to visit http://sap-img.com/sap-sd.htm. It will give you the overview of SAP SD module.

Moreover there is a separate section of FAQs with answers which will help you in great deal.

Hope this helps you.

Do award points if you found them useful.

Regards,

Rakesh

[Former Member]

HI Balaram

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

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.

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.

Difference between Standard tables, Pooled tables and Clusterd Tables ?

A transparent table is a table that stores data directly. You can read these tables directly on the database from outside SAP with for instance an SQL statement.

Transparent table is a one to one relation table i.e. when you create one transparent table then exactly same table will create in data base and if is basically used to store transaction data.

A clustered and a pooled table cannot be read from outside SAP because certain data are clustered and pooled in one field.

One of the possible reasons is for instance that their content can be variable in length and build up. Database manipulations in Abap are limited as well.

But pool and cluster table is a many to one relationship table. This means many pool table store in a database table which is know as table pool.

All the pool table stored table in table pool does not need to have any foreign key relationship but in the case of cluster table it is must. And pool and cluster table is basically use to store application data.

Table pool can contain 10 to 1000 small pool table which has 10 to 100 records. But cluster table can contain very big but few (1 to 10) cluster table.

For pool and cluster table you can create secondary index and you can use select distinct, group for pool and cluster table. You can use native SQL statement for pool and cluster table.

A structure is a table without data. It is only filled by program logic at the moment it is needed starting from tables.

A view is a way of looking at the contents of tables. It only contains the combination of the tables at the basis and the way the data needs to be represented. You actually call directly upon the underlying tables.

Reward if it is useful

[Former Member]

Hi

The tables may be

<b>

I. Transparent tables (BKPF, VBAK, VBAP, KNA1, COEP)</b>

• Allows secondary indexes (SE11->Display Table->Indexes)

• Can be buffered (SE11->Display Table->technical settings) Heavily updated tables should not be buffered.

<b>

II. Pool Tables (match codes, look up tables)</b>

• Should be accessed via primary key or

• Should be buffered (SE11->Display Table->technical settings)

• No secondary indexes

• Select * is Ok because all columns retrieved anyway

<b>

III. Cluster Tables (BSEG,BSEC)</b>

• Should be accessed via primary key - very fast retrieval otherwise very slow

• No secondary indexes

• Select * is Ok because all columns retrieved anyway. Performing an operation on multiple rows is more efficient than single row operations. Therefore you still want to select into an internal table. If many rows are being selected into the internal table, you might still like to retrieve specific columns to cut down on the memory required.

• Statistical SQL functions (SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX, etc) not supported

• Can not be buffered

<b>

IV. Buffered Tables (includes both Transparent & Pool Tables)</b>

While buffering database tables in program memory (SELECT into internal table) is generally a good idea for performance, it is not always necessary. Some tables are already buffered in memory. These are mostly configuration tables. If a table is already buffered, then a select statement against it is very fast. To determine if a table is buffered, choose the 'technical settings' soft button from the data dictionary display of a table (SE12). Pool tables should all be buffered.

<a href="http://www.sap-img.com/abap/what-are-different-types-of-internal-tables-and-their-usage.htm">Different Types Of Internal Tables</a>

<a href="http://www.sap-img.com/abap/the-different-types-of-sap-tables.htm">Different Types of SAP Tables</a>

[Former Member]

Hi Balaram,

Check the following links

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/the-different-types-of-sap-tables.htm

http://web.mit.edu/sapr3/dev/sap_table_types.htm

Regards

NP

[Former Member]

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