In ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming), a structure is a data type that allows you to group related data elements under a single name. It is defined in the ABAP Data Dictionary and serves as a way to organize and encapsulate fields, making it easier to manage and reuse data structures in programs. Here is how a structure is defined in the ABAP Data Dictionary:
Steps to Define a Structure in ABAP Data Dictionary:
Transaction Code:
To define a structure, you typically use the ABAP Dictionary transaction code SE11 (Data Dictionary).
Choose Data Type:
In the initial screen, choose the data type for which you want to create a structure. Common data types include tables, views, and data elements.
Enter Structure Name:
Enter a name for your structure in the "Data type" field. This name uniquely identifies your structure in the ABAP Data Dictionary.
Create/Change/Display:
Click on the "Create" button to create a new structure. If you want to modify an existing structure, select it and click "Change" or "Display."
Fields Tab:
In the "Fields" tab, you can add the individual data elements that make up your structure. Each field has attributes such as name, data type, length, and decimal places.
Field Attributes:
Define the attributes for each field within the structure, including the field name, data type (e.g., CHAR, NUMC, INT), length, and other properties.
Save and Activate:
Once you have defined the fields, save your structure. If it's a new structure, you may need to activate it to make it available for use in ABAP programs.
